Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association
U11 Hockey Program
Last Update: 2024-09-16
Following SMHA aims and objectives, the U11 Hockey Program sets as its purpose the provision of a developmental program concentrating on skating skills and of a fun (enjoyment) opportunity.
The SMHA U11 Program has adopted a ZERO TOLERANCE policy with respect to verbal and/or physical abuse. This applies to coaches, players and parents and covers all areas relating to and including verbal and physical abuse towards players, on-ice officials, off-ice officials and team officials.
Hockey Saskatchewan U11 Mandated Requirements:
Hockey Sask Regulation 6.04.16 - U11
a) Tiered U11 teams must have a minimum of four (4) skates / practices prior to formal evaluations starting and those Evaluations/Try Outs cannot start until the 3rd full weekend in September - as determined by Hockey Sask.
b) There will be no U11 Exhibition, Tournament or League games sanctioned by Hockey Saskatchewan prior to November 15th.
c) The maximum number of games a U11 team can play is forty-five (45) per season. (See 6.04.15) Note: Rural MHA Carded team games are not included in the 45-game maximum.
Purpose:
The first purpose is to promote the SMHA policy of providing fun and enjoyment while at the same time stressing the values and appreciation of improved skating, puck skills and other hockey skills.
The second purpose is to ensure that there is fun and enjoyment in the context of good competition by encouraging players to play with other players of similar skills, abilities and desires. In addition, by ensuring that there is an equal distribution of player talent amongst the teams within the divisions, players are encouraged to compete against other players of similar caliber.
The third purpose is to provide a program which ensures that all players will enjoy equal opportunities of ice time during practice instruction and games.
The fourth purpose is to provide guidelines which encourage coaches and other team executives to improve their own coaching qualifications and instructing skills by participating in certification programs which emphasize theory, philosophy, technical and practical skills.
The fifth purpose is to promote within the Zones proficient, innovative and developmental programs for goaltenders. The aim is to identify and develop as many goaltenders as is feasible on developmental teams by using a player position rotation system.
Objectives:
To emphasize the provision of fun and enjoyment while at the same time stressing the value and appreciation of improved skating, puck skills and other hockey skills.
To allocate a minimum of 50 per cent of program ice for team practice and a maximum of 50 per cent of program ice for scheduled games. (50 % of play will be scheduled for games and 50% will be used for practice). Practices will be shared ice for the entire season.
To encourage players to participate in power skating and hockey instruction programs other than those offered by the SMHA.
To implement a player rotation program on developmental teams to encourage the development of goaltenders. There should not be back up goaltenders on the bench. He or she should dress as a skater. With approval from the parents and coaches a player who wants only to be a goaltender may dress as back up goaltender.
To set standards for coaches at the different levels of the program.
To set guidelines for leveling players by the Zones.
Coaching Standards - U11 A to U11 D
"A" teams - A Head or Assistant coach shall:
Have a record in good standing.
Have a minimum of Coach 2 Level standing and Respect in Sport. Coach 1 is not adequate for U11 or older.
Head Coach also requires Checking Certification 1 -online course
One coach - head or assistant, requires the Coach Goaltender Certification
All teams must have an individual listed as the Safety person - this person must also have Respect in Sport;
All registered team officials on the roster must have Respect in Sport online as well as Planning a Safe Return to Hockey e-hockey course.
All coaching certifications and requirements must be obtained by December 20th.
(Click here for Minimum Standards required per Hockey Sask)
Leveling:
Zones will level as follows:
"A" - advanced development teams
"B" - intermediate development teams
"C" - development teams of mid-level to lesser skilled skaters.
"D" - developmental teams of beginner level to lower level skilled players
Zones are expected to communicate to parents that U11 A must consist of the most advanced players in the Zone, who are committed to becoming students of the game by attending practices for the purposes of developing individual skills as well as developing concepts of team play (strategies of attack, controlling ice, etc.). A major portion of the winter will be devoted to hockey (tournaments, fund raising etc.)
U11 B players are expected to develop skating and puck-handling skills first and sophisticated concepts of team play second. A lesser amount of parent resources and time is required.
U11 C & D players are expected to concentrate on skating and puck-handling. Even fewer resources of parents are required.
Zones must use the following leveling requirements:
Minimum team size requirements 13-14 players.
Emphasis should be place in having the teams registered to play at the highest level possible in order to further develop player's individual skills and abilities.
Exception:
Where Zones are unable to field four (4) teams the following would apply:
Two teams:
The Zone would be required to field one team at B and one team at C.
One Team
The Zone would be required to field the team at B.
CLICK here for the approved 2024-25 U11 Team Registration Grid:
CRITERIA FOR ZONES TO REQUEST TO GO AHEAD OF THE GRID:
1) 50% or more second year players within the age division
2) 50% played B or higher (U9 & U11)
3) Supported by previous two year’s win/loss record.
It is anticipated that different zones will be strong in different years but that across several years each zone will have fielded stronger and weaker teams.
Zones are expected to develop an objective method of player assessment. At U11 A, the matter of convenience (i.e., same school, same neighborhood, etc.) and of aspirations of coaches will take second place to skill assessment.
Deviation from the prescribed leveling shall require the permission of:
Zone Commissioner
SMHA U11 Chairperson
Majority vote of U11 Coordinators
SMHA Board of Directors
Guidelines for Team Formation and Play:
Coaches shall ensure that all players on a team shall receive an equal amount of ice time in every game. Exhibition and Tournament games should be included in this rule. Emphasis should be placed on development and not winning.
There will be no back up goaltenders on the bench unless the player only wants to be a goaltender. He or she requires the approval of their zone to play strictly as a goaltender. Otherwise, the goalie will dress as a skater when not playing in goal.
NOTE 1: TWO FULL-TIME GOALTENDERS ON SAME U11 TEAM:
WHEN A U11 TEAM HAS TWO FULL-TIME GOALTENDERS AND BOTH GOALIES ARE DRESSED, THE GOALTENDERS MUST SPLIT THE GAME IN SMHA LEAGUE PLAY. I.E. - GOALIE A WILL START THE GAME AND GOALIE B WILL COME IN HALF WAY THROUGH THE GAME. THE NEXT LEAGUE GAME, GOALIE B SHOULD START THE GAME AND GOALIE A WILL COME IN HALF WAY THROUGH THE GAME. THIS ENSURES THAT GOALIES WILL LEARN HOW TO START GAMES AS WELL AS HOW TO COME INTO GAMES "COLD". IT ALSO ENSURES THAT ALL GOALIES WILL KNOW THEY WILL BE PLAYING IN EACH LEAGUE GAME AND WILL TEACH THEM TO ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO PLAY.
NOTE 2: FULL-TIME GOALTENDER WITH PART-TIME GOALTENDER(S) ON SAME U11 TEAM:
(a) WHEN AN U11 TEAM HAS ONE FULL-TIME GOALTENDER AND ONE OR MORE PART-TIME GOALTENDERS, THE FULL-TIME GOALTENDER MUST PLAY A MINIMUM OF HALF OF ALL SMHA LEAGUE GAMES, EITHER STARTING OR FINISHIING. IF A PART-TIME GOALTENDER DOES NOT DRESS AS A GOALTENDER IN ANY GAME, THE FULL-TIME GOALTENDER WILL PLAY THE ENTIRE GAME.
(b) IT IS FURTHER ENCOURAGED THAT FULL-TIME GOALTENDERS RECEIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY SOME FULL GAMES IN TOURNAMENTS OR EXHIBITION GAMES IF THEY DO NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY IN LEAGUE PLAY TO DO SO.
TEAM SIZES:
Zones shall organize teams to consist of no less than 13 players. There are no player position designations in U11
All teams in respective levels are expected to play against every other team in that level.
All teams within a zone must have no more than a one player difference on rosters by level. Example: U11 A- 14 players; U11 B - 14 players; U11 C - 13 players; U11 D - 13 players. All teams in each zone must be balanced in numbers.
TOURNAMENTS:
All U11 teams to play a maximum of five (5) sanctioned tournaments per season (Tournament as defined by SHA). Exception - when SMHA hosts the spring U11 D tournament, this shall not count towards the maximum of 5 because the ice times are part of the SMHA main U11 program.
Teams cannot play in unsanctioned tournaments - no exceptions - as all insurance would be void. The Coach and the team would be subject to suspension by SHA.
Teams must ensure to sanction their tournaments and exhibition games online with Hockey Saskatchewan through SMHA - NO EXCEPTIONS.
GENERAL RULES:
Body checking is not permitted in U11 hockey.
Proper forms must be filled out for ice time changes or coaches will be disciplined.
Running up of the score will not be tolerated and offenders may face disciplinary action. Reminder to post only a 5-goal differential on the scoreboard. Example: 1 6-1 game becomes a 7-1 game - 6-1 is left on the scoreboard until the losing team scores a goal and then 7-2 may be posted, etc.
Standings will not be posted in U9 and U11
***Teams must switch ends after each period.
atoMc Program and Jerseys:
All SMHA teams must wear their McDonald's atoMc jerseys for all games - league, tournament, exhibition
SMHA U11 teams not wearing their atoMc jerseys will be fined $50.00 per transgression.
THIRD JERSEYS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN U11 DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF THE AGE DIVISION SPONSOR, MCDONALDS
Failure to comply with the SMHA U11 Program may result in the loss of ice allocation as determined by the decision of the SMHA Board of Directors.
February -March Schedule:
The U11 Chairperson will review the internal standings by December 15th annually to determine scheduling requirements and to determine format. Intentions are to seed teams of existing caliber in all categories: in the same pools in order to provide a more balanced program - emphasis to be fun and enjoyment.
Rules:
Time breakdown for games:
1st period - 20 minutes straight time.
2nd period - 20 minutes straight time.
3rd period - time remaining on the rink clock straight time.
Total 1 hour 15 minutes
Penalties:
Two (2) minute straight time for all minor penalties and all other penalties as per SHA Rule Book.
Score sheets:
Must be filled out correctly. Signed by coaches and ready by game time.
Time Clock and Penalty Bench:
One volunteer from each team - one to work the clock and one to complete the scoresheet.
Referees:
Referees will be a two-person system (unless otherwise scheduled in a modified 3-person system) with both referees being at least 13 years old. Verbal abuse or harassment of officials in U11 will not be tolerated and team officials who do so will be dealt with harshly.
**Coaches receiving an Unsportsmanlike Conduct Game Misconduct from a referee in green arm bands will see their suspension doubled at a minimum.
Coaches should be prepared to cover for referees that are not present. All teams should have one designated team official (insured) that always has skates, helmet and a whistle with them to cover for the missing referees. Both teams can provide one team official to act as referees in the game.
Player Affiliation:
Mandatory Affiliation Numbers - Required by December 1st
- Deadline to modify an affiliate form is January 8
- U11 teams must affiliate a minimum # of players that will have their team roster at a combined 16 players between roster players and affiliates. Example: If a team has 14 players on its roster, it must affiliate at least 2 players.
Note: U11 A players may be affiliated to U13 B Hockey and they are subject to playing a maximum of 5 league games after January 10th. U13 B teams may play only one U11 A affiliate skater per SMHA league game or playoff game. The U13 B team may also use an affiliate U11 A goaltender.
U11 A players cannot be affiliated to U13 C.
Unless an all-female league is in place, Comet female teams will play in the applicable U11 leagues and be subject to the rules and regulations of the U11 program.
Program Committee:
The Committee will consist of the SMHA U11 Program Chairperson plus seven (7) U11 Coordinators or their substitute representing their SMHA Zones. Each Zone U11 Coordinator will ensure that their zone is represented at each meeting.