#2  I'm new to Glenlake. How does it work? 

We will be having a “Welcome to Glenlake” information session in late August for all newcomers. Please check our website through the summer for further information. Atom and Pee Wee players will be evaluated shortly after Labour Day. All other age categories will see the ice later in September.

#3  How does novice hockey work?

The 2010/2011 season marks the second season of the Novice Development League; a skills based approach to playing the game specifically for 7 and 8 year olds. For more information on the Novice Development League please see the Hockey Calgary website here. Important dates for this season are as follows:

·         September 1 - 24th - Organized Development Sessions

·         September 25 - October 8 - Evaluations

·         October 9 - October 31 - Team practices

#4  How much does it cost? 

There is a $100.00 discount for families registering three or more players

For registrations after August 21st, 2010, a late registration fee of $100.00 is required with registration, in addition to the application of the fees.

Because the season runs from September to March the cost of the ice time is quite reasonable and amounts to less than $10 per hour.

#5 Where are the games and practices?

Glenlake is fortunate to be part owner of the Flames Community Arenas (formerly Centennial Arenas). As such, most of our practices are held at FCA and almost all our home games are held there. Given the rapid growth of Glenlake and the delays in beginning the construction of the third arena within the FCA complex, we may experience ice shortages. The Glenlake board is attempting to secure additional ice to accommodate all our players.

You will often times here references to FCA Blue and FCA Gold. These are the two existing arenas. The Blue arena is on the south side of the building while the Gold is the arena on the north side. We don't yet know what the new arena will be called.

Games are scheduled by Hockey Calgary and road games can take place anywhere in Calgary (except in Timbit and Novice where road games take place only in the south). Most arenas in Calgary are within easy driving distance of FCA.

Flames Community Arenas are located at 2390-47th Ave, SW - just off Crowchild Trail. Find out more about home here.

A listing of arenas in the Calgary area can be found by clicking here.

#6 Will my child be put on a team with other children of similar ability?

Yes. The first few weeks of the season is taken up with evaluations. The purpose of the evaluations is not to judge the players but, rather, to put them on teams with children of similar abilities. In addition, there is a process where all the local hockey associations work together with Hockey Calgary to ensure that teams play against teams of similar abilities.

#7 Is hitting involved?

Body checking is currently allowed for players in the Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget divisions (players born in 1999 and earlier). All first year Pee Wee players will take part in “how to” body checking clinics.

 #8 What are my responsibilities as a parent?

Your main responsibility is to be supportive of your children and to always treat your child, your child’s teammates, other players, officials, volunteers and other parents with respect and dignity. After all, this is a game and we’re all supposed to be having fun.  For more information on the responsibilities of hockey parents, please see Hockey Canada’s Fair Play Code. Please also keep in mind that hockey is a team game and one of the values that we are trying to instil in our players is commitment. As such, it is only fair to the other players on your team and to the coaches for your child to attend as many practices and games as possible. 

You should be aware that Glenlake has a zero tolerance policy for abuse of players, officials, volunteers and other parents. Suspensions and/or bans from arenas are possible penalties for abuse.   

You can take an active role in your child’s team by coaching or volunteering as team manager. There are also chances throughout the year to volunteer to help out in other less formal ways.

If you choose not to help out on the ice or in the dressing room there are other ways to help out. Glenlake requires all parents to volunteer in some way, even if it’s only doing a bingo to help out. Glenlake is entirely run by volunteers and we value your time. You should also be aware that the money Glenlake makes from bingos directly reduces the registration costs you pay. 

For more information on volunteering please click here: Volunteer Commitments or contact us at hawks@glenlakehockey.com

#9 What do I do if I have problems with a coach?

If you have concerns with how your child is being treated by a coach or how the team is run then your first action should be to speak directly with the coach in a calm and unemotional manner. It's always best to have the conversation a day or two after a game or an ice time to give you a chance to calm down.

If you’ve had a discussion with the coach and still have issues, or if you feel you just cannot speak to the coach, then speak with the age group coordinator for a resolution. The age group coordinator may involve either the Hockey Development Coordinator or the Glenlake Vice President if needed for a more formal response.

If your child has an issue with another player on the team please follow the same procedure. 

#10 How many hours a week are involved?

Players are generally on the ice two to three hours per week for games and practices. There are no set ice times at Glenlake. There will be times when your child will have early morning practices but these are shared between all teams and all divisions.

There’s no formal expectation that you will be at every single ice time but it’s good to communicate with your coaches if your child will be away for any period of time. Hockey is, after all, a team game and part of what we try and communicate to the players is that concepts such as responsibility, accountability and being part of a team are important not only at the rink but in life as well.

#11 What equipment is required?

The following equipment is mandatory:
Helmet (CSA approved)

·    Face mask (CSA approved)

·    Throat Protector (BNQ approved)

·    Mouth guard (optional for Timbits only)

·    Shoulder pads

·    Elbow pads

·    Gloves

·    Pants

·    Shin pads

·    Skates

·    Jock strap & cup/jill strap

·    Garters/sock tape

·    Socks (Glenlake will provide one set)

·    Practice jersey

Child size hockey stick, cut to correct length (about nose height in stocking feet) can be wood or fiberglass

Players own water bottle - clearly marked and not to be shared

And of course a bag to hold all this in ...

Optional equipment may include:

·    Under equipment shirt and leggings (Under Armour)

·    Skate guards

Glenlake provides home and away uniforms (only to be worn during games)

An excellent source for information on how to properly fit equipment can be found here: Equipment Fitting Guide

#12 - What happens if we register and then change our minds about playing?

Your registration is refundable. The refund is pro-rated to take into account the number of months that your child has played.

#13 - What are the important dates?
 
June 21, 2010 – Registration Opens online

August 21, 2010 – Registrants after this date pay $100 late registration fee

August 28, 2010 – Conditioning Camps begin

Evaluations will begin after Labour Day. For specific dates, please keep checking in on our website and watch for emails from your age group coordinators.

Please note: Because of the time deadlines imposed on hockey associations by Hockey Calgary, we are required to have evaluations done by certain dates. Our evaluation schedule is in part dictated because we need to meet these dates.

For further dates and updates check our home page.

#14 - I'd like to coach. What do I need to do?

Fill out our coaching application.  This can be found through the following link: Coaching or through our Important Documents Menu option on our home page. 

Glenlake is a volunteer organization and can only function if you get involved so thank you for your involvement!

#15 - What happens after we register?

You will be contacted by your child’s age-group coordinator sometime in mid to late August. At that time you’ll be told when and where your child is to come for evaluations. You should also keep an eye on this website for important information.

#16 – Do you still offer conditioning camps prior to the season?

 Yes, the tentative camp dates, times and cost are as follows. The cost is $75 for Novice, Atom and Pee Wee conditioning camps, $50 for goalie and defender camps (atom and pee wee ages only). Pee Wee checking camps are free of charge and we recommend that all incoming Pee Wee players participate in these camps. All the camps below are run in collaboration with Brad Kilb's Elite Hockey School. On ice coaching is provided by members of the University of Calgary Dinos hockey team. All camps will take place at Flames Community Arenas at the following dates:  

  If you have any questions, please contact Glenlake’s director of hockey development Ryan Fox at hockey@glenlakehockey.com