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8U Tier 4 (Cross Ice)

2023-24 8U PROGRAM

General

The primary focus of the 8U Program is to introduce ice hockey fundamentals and skill development in a fun way that develops a passion for the game. The 2023-24 Casco Bay Hockey 8U House Division is open to boys and girls with birth years of 2015 and 2016 who have played at least one year in the Casco Bay Hockey Academy's Learn to Play program.


Players born in 2017 may also be eligible to play 8U, provided there are available open spots in the program and they have completed two years in Casco Bay Hockey Academy.  2017s will be admitted to 8U only if there is room on a team once all 2015s and 2016s have been rostered.  If your child is a 2017 and would like to play 8U, please register and notify the 8U Division Manager of your preference.  2017s will be invited to Evaluations and once evaluations are complete, it will be decided if there is both room on a team and the player is prepared to play 8U. If there is no space or it is deemed that the player is not prepared for 8U play, the player will be assigned back to the Learn to Play program. If you have any questions related to the 8U Program eligibility requirements or the program in general after reviewing our 8U page, please contact the 8U Division Manager, Jayson Morrison, whose contact info is on the right side of this page.

Registration

To register, click on the "2023-24 Skater Registration" link on the right of the home page and follow the instructions there.  All players must be registered before they will be allowed on the ice (including evaluations).  This policy is STRICTLY ENFORCED.  

Casco Bay Hockey anticipates full capacity for the coming season, with up to 120 players on 8U teams.  Our organization's ice resources will only support this number of teams.  Casco Bay Hockey will be capping the number of players it will accept this season, with priority going to returning Casco Bay players.  After the signup deadline, we will be assessing our registrations and if there are openings, CBHA will accept new players in good standing transferring from other organizations.  However, if our registrations of returning players fill our capacity, we will notify potential transfers via email that we are full and are unable to accept their registration.

Season

The season will run from the evaluations through the first week of March.  8U skates 2-3 times per week on average. The general weekly schedule will be for all teams to practice on Saturday mornings (7am and 810am) with all games each Sunday at 320/430/540 PM.  Additionally, teams will skate every other or every third Monday or Wednesday evening at 530pm. 
 
All practices will consist of stations with 20-25 minutes of power skating mixed in with 3-4 different skills stations.  Stations will focus on skating technique, puck handling skills and small area games.
 
Practice times will be posted online on the Casco Bay website and the Sport Engine App and sent to the coaches as far in advance as possible.  Please check the Casco Bay website and/or the SE App routinely for possible schedule changes throughout the season (including the day of game or practice).
 
Once teams are selected, the head coach will need a parent to volunteer as a Team Administrator (TA).  The TA will assist the coach with the following: paperwork (such as birth certificates and other required forms), tournament-related communication (i.e. hotel reservations, team meals, etc.) and any other team-specific communication.  TA’s will be trained by Mary Louie Casco Bay Hockey's Team Administrator Director, once the season is underway.

Cross Ice Games

Casco Bay Hockey adopted the American Development Model (ADM) for its 8U program (details of which can be found at www.usahockey.com) several years ago. Under the ADM, 8U teams play cross-ice games throughout the season.  These have been found to be very effective (and fun!) for teaching hockey skills to 8U age players.
 
It is likely that our 8U teams may be able to participate in-state tournaments (e.g. Auburn, Rockland, Bangor) and details regarding these will be shared during the season.  In addition, we will hold an in-house (i.e. Casco Bay-only) 8U tournament at the end of our season.
 

Coaching

If you are interested in coaching a 8U team (either as a head coach or as an assistant), please email Jayson Morrison, 8U Division Director.  All Coaches must be USA Hockey certified and more information concerning that can be found in the coaching item on the menu to the left.  All registered Coaches must have all of their background checks, all specific modules, and Level certifications complete in order to be on the ice or on the bench this season!!  No exceptions.

Thank you for your interest. Let's have a great season!

 

Jayson Morrison

8U Division Director