U11 RAMBLERS PROGRAM

About Our U11 Program U11 FEES CAHL U11 CONDITIONING & Evaluations U11 Manager Information U11 Coaching Information U11 Hybrid Goaltender Policy

About Our U11 Program

ABOUT OUR U11 PROGRAM

Our U11 Division is for boys and girls aged 9-10. This level of hockey aims to enhance their skating skills, puck handling, and game play concepts. In this program, players engage in weekly Power-Skating practice that emphasizes the significance of agility and speed on the ice.

The U11 season runs from the beginning of September with Conditioning Camp and Evaluations, and concludes at the end of March. U11 teams have two 1-hour practices per week with one to two games (home/away) on weekends. Games are played on full ice with scorekeeping and penalties.

The U11 division is part of the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) and play other teams from central Alberta, occasionally travelling approximately 1-1.5 hours for gameplay.

At the U11 level, fair and equal ice time remains a key principle, ensuring that all players have the opportunity to develop and contribute to the team regardless of skill level. However, factors such as a player’s attitude, effort, and commitment during practices may influence game-to-game ice time. Coaches are encouraged to strive for fairness over the course of the season, while also using their discretion to reinforce positive habits and team values.

TOURNAMENTS

Home Tournament: Each year, DMHA hosts a weekend tournament in November. All DMHA U11 families are required to volunteer during the tournament. Volunteer roles may include working the raffle table, timekeeping, and selling 50/50 tickets. Your support helps make this event a success and keeps it running smoothly for all players and families.
Away Tournaments: Participation in away tournaments is optional and will be decided by each team once rosters are finalized. Team managers will discuss potential tournament options during the start-of-season parent meeting. Click here to view the list of sanctioned tournaments on Hockey Alberta’s website.

U11 FEES

CAHL

CAHL

The Central Alberta Hockey League (known as CAHL) is a league that extends from Oyen to Didsbury to Banff to Fort McLeod to Brooks and ices hockey for U9 to U18.
CAHL has an extensive Board that meets regularly before, throughout and following the season and governs the league.
Each division of hockey has a variety of tiers and each tier has a Governor. Governors create and distribute schedules for the tier they are looking after, keep the tier website up to date with all relevant information and game statistics and run playoff rounds specific to their assigned tier.
Every association has a CAHL representative that must attend mandatory meetings as they are scheduled. The CAHL rep sits on the Association Board and keeps the Association apprised with necessary CAHL information.
Additional CAHL information is handed out to team Managers at the Coaches and Managers meeting in mid-October that is hosted by DMHA.
Please familiarize yourself with the CAHL website. U11 Managers need to make themselves familiar with these.

CAHL WEBSITE: https://cahlhockey.ca/

U11 CONDITIONING & Evaluations

U11 CONDITIONING & EVALUATIONS

Conditioning camps will start TBA for the 2025/2026 season.

Evaluation dates will be set up through the TeamSnap App.

DMHA provides 4 optional conditioning skates prior to evaluations. If more than one team is formed, all players will be evaluated by a group of volunteer evaluators. Each player will participate in two skill sessions and two game sessions, which will be scored. Teams will then be created based solely on the evaluation score results collected during evaluations.

U11 Manager Information

TEAM MANAGERS

Communication Liaison

Act as the main point of contact between the coach and parents, ensuring smooth communication both ways.
Serve as the liaison between DMHA and the team for all relevant updates and requirements.

Scheduling / League Compliance

Coordinate with the CAHL Governor for your tier, ensuring that home game sheets and rescheduled game details are submitted.
Manage and submit Game Change Forms (available on the CAHL website) for approval before any game changes.
The manager will communicate with the DMHA’s Ice Scheduler regarding all ice time requests, changes, and cancellations.
Data Entry Person: You must have a data entry person for each team in CAHL league. Your data entry person must be chosen by October 9th. Please advise the registrar as they will submit an online form to CAHL.
A TeamSnap premium subscription is provided free of charge and is mandatory to be used by all teams. It is the manager's responsibility to update the team schedule and relay all important information through the app.

Team Administration

Keep players and parents informed about all team schedules, activities, and events throughout the season.
Assign and schedule off-ice roles (50/50 sellers, game sheets, time keeper and board set-up) for all home games.
Communicate with DMHA's Equipment Manager for locker access and team equipment.

Required Forms & HA Sanctions

Parent/Player Pledge Forms – These are completed online during registration. Contact DMHA's Registrar for further information.
CAHL requires a sanction number for all home games and a travel permit for all away games. Teams cannot travel outside the Association without a permit (this is a major insurance requirement).
Exhibition Games – Travel permits are no longer required, but the home team must apply for a sanction number.
Tournaments Outside Your Association – Travel permits are still required per Hockey Alberta regulations. Request these at least one week in advance from DMHA's Registrar, providing the sanction number, location, and date.

Initial Team Meeting

During the first week of practices, you will likely want to organize a sit down with your team parents to discuss your upcoming season. It's critical that you start the year of right and review the key learnings from the respect in sport course that everybody has completed. Please ensure your team understands the 24 hour complaint rule.

Other things to discuss during this team meeting:

Number of tournaments the team is interested in attending
Fundraising vs. Cash call amount and deadline
Volunteering for home games
Selecting a team treasurer
Extra Activities (ie - Christmas and End of Season party options)

U11 Coaching Information

TEAM COACHES

COACHING REQUIREMENTS: Click Here

Head Coach Responsibilities

Provide positive encouragement to all players to promote sportsmanship and develop hockey skills.
Foster a positive team environment, emphasizing rules, teamwork, and a strong work ethic.

Coaching Staff Management

Work with DMHA's Coach-In-Chief to select Assistant Coaches as needed.

Communication & Coordination

Maintain regular communication with the team manager regarding:
• Game and practice schedules
• Tournaments
• League updates
• Any other team-related matters
• Relay all pertinent team information to players and parents as needed.
Communicate with DMHA's Equipment Manager for locker access and team equipment.

Rules & Regulations Compliance

Understand and enforce the rules and regulations set by the 2&27 League Host.
Ensure strict adherence to these rules throughout the season.

Game & Practice Responsibilities

Attend as many games and practices as reasonably possible.
Plan and implement effective practice sessions to develop player skills.
Make final decisions regarding all aspects of the team, ensuring a fair and structured environment.

Assistant Coach Responsibilities

Promote positive skill development and attitudes among all players.
Assist the Head Coach in all planning aspects, including practices and game strategies.
Step in as the acting Head Coach when the Head Coach is unavailable.

Minor Assistant Coach Program

The "JR Coach" program is available for U7 to U11 teams. It allows players in the DMHA system an opportunity to be mentored as an assistant coach with the goal of developing them into a future coach bye improving and enhancing coaching related skills such as communication, analysis and observation of the coaches appointed to be mentors.

U11 Hybrid Goaltender Policy

U11 Hybrid Goaltender Policy

Didsbury Minor Hockey Association will be implementing the Hybrid Goalie Policy for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. The policy is specifically designed for U11 registrants, allowing them to participate as both a goaltender and a skater. DMHA Evaluation Committee will conduct evaluations at the beginning of the season for all goaltenders and hybrid goaltenders.

During registration, you will need to choose one of the following options: Skater, Goaltender, or Hybrid Goalie.

If you have any questions or concerns about the new policy, please contact DMHA President at didsburyminorhockeypresident@gmail.com.

View the policy here: https://didsburyminorhockey.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2199/2025/05/DMHA-Hybrid-policy.docx.pdf

U9 PLAYER MOVEMENT TO U11

Didsbury Minor Hockey Association has implemented a U9 Player Movement policy, allowing second-year U9 players the opportunity to evaluate with the U11 group.

This initiative is designed to place players with others of similar skill levels, supporting individual growth, appropriate challenge, and enhanced development. It also provides these players with the opportunity to experience full-ice gameplay, participate in score-kept games, and gain exposure to playing defined positions, understanding offside rules, and taking penalties.

All movement decisions are based on evaluation outcomes and are made with the long-term development and best interests of each player in mind. If your child is a second year U9 player, DMHA's President will reach out to you before the season starts. Please note that if you are committed to joining this movement, you will be placed on the U11 team and will not be given the option to return to U9.

If you would like more information, please email DMHA's president at Didsburyminorhockeypresident@gmail.com.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024/2025 SEASON JERSEY SPONSORS: