The Innisfail Minor Hockey Association (IMHA) season is underway for 2014-15 with more than 300 players registered in six age divisions.
“This year we are close to the numbers of the last two years,” said Brett Kelly, vice-president of the IMHA. “In Innisfail we have a good mix of male and female players and this year we have the Female Atom Flyers and the Female Midget Manville Flyers. It was only a couple of years ago the Female Flyers won provincials, and we want to make a run at that.”
Earlier this year, the Female Atom Flyers made history with their participation in Hockey Canada's World Girls Hockey Weekend's “Long Game”. Only 20 teams were chosen from across Canada and the Flyers won their first game 3-2.
“The philosophy of the IMHA is to develop strong players with good core skills right from the dynamite level (age five and six), up to our 18-year-old midgets,” said Kelly. “For more than a month already, we have Mark Dowler teach power skating to our players, and on every second Monday, we have goalie sessions to increase their skill level.”
The club executive, who works with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, added the best players at any level of hockey from dynamite up to the NHL have the best skills and skating ability.
“We want to see our players increase their skill level all the way through the minor hockey system in Innisfail,” said Kelly. “We believe in hockey for a lifetime and the importance of team building and the camaraderie players develop.”
Kelly noted the dynamite division has undergone changes this year with the five- and six-year-olds playing half-ice, sideways games instead of using the whole ice surface.
“After watching the kids play at their tournament last weekend we all wondered how we thought playing full ice was a good idea for the young players,” said Kelly. “In a smaller ice surface, every player has access to the puck, and the emphasis is on passing, skating and keeping their heads up. It was worth it to see the smiles on their faces and know they were having fun.”
The executive noted there are five dynamite teams with eight players in the IMHA, adding it was important to make the game fun for the players from an early age.
“During the dynamite tournament we saw an early payoff with our power skate training and it was great to see dividends so soon,” said Kelly. “The kids play with small nets and no goalie.
“If they don't have fun they won't continue in the game,” he added. “It doesn't matter if they have the skill of a Sydney Crosby. If they don't have a passion for the game they will drop or burn out. We want to develop players who are still hitting the rink when they are 60.”
More information on the IMHA can be found online at http://www.innisfailminorhockey.com.
Brett Kelly
"After watching the kids play at their tournament last weekend we all wondered how we thought playing full ice was a good idea for the young players," said Kelly. "In a smaller ice surface, every player has access to the puck, and the emphasis is on passing, skating and keeping their heads up. It was worth it to see the smiles on their faces and know they were having fun."
