Dear U5 Families,

I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits after the Thanksgiving long weekend. I wanted to address the questions and concerns that have been raised regarding the timing of our first official team skate.

Originally, we had planned to hold our skates on Wednesday evenings throughout the season. However, in response to valuable feedback and numerous requests from our group to consider a weekend time slot, our dedicated scheduling team has been diligently working to accommodate this change. Your input is greatly appreciated, and we thank you for your patience as we work through this transition.

In the interest of transparency, I want to inform you that our scheduling coordinator role recently became vacant. Fortunately, we've been fortunate to have enthusiastic volunteers step up to fill this role on short notice. Their efforts have been instrumental in addressing your requests and concerns.

We anticipate that our first ice time for this week will be scheduled for either Saturday or Sunday, and we expect to have this confirmed later today. Additionally, we are in the process of finalizing the full season schedule, which will be communicated to you in the coming days.

We understand the importance of clear communication and appreciate your understanding during this period of adjustment. Rest assured, we are committed to providing the best experience for our U5 team and their families.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a fantastic season ahead.

Warm regards,

Matt Brown 

Are you a New Team Manager?
Are you interested in being a Team Manager, and you're are a bit curious about what it is all about?

Please join our casual/virtual drop-in session all about managing a team! There's no set agenda; we can follow the lead from the folks who join. We can cover the types of things managers do, some tips to getting started, where to find resources, etc.

This is entirely optional. We have (understandably) started to see more questions from the newer Managers who are getting started with U9 teams, and we are here to help. Based on some feedback last year, we don't want anyone to go into the main Team Manager Meeting and end up feeling unsupported & overwhelmed. 

You can join via Google Meet or by Telephone:

• Google Meet joining info:
  • 
  • Video call link: https://meet.google.com/sej-pkst-xda
  • Or dial: ?(CA) +1 587-796-9893? PIN: ?876 943 721?#
  • More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/sej-pkst-xda?pin=5482793385435

**There will be a Team Manager Meeting announced soon, shortly after Recreation Teams are finalized.**

If there is demand, we can easily repeat a similar Drop-In later this week or next before the Team Manager Meeting. Just reach out to Secretary@FlyersHockey.ca or Registration@FlyersHockey.ca.

Thank you!

Hello SMHA Fans & Families,

We appreciate everyone's flexibility and patience with SMHA with all the schedule changes and last-minute updates over the last week.

Competitive Tryouts are nearly finalized, and Recreation Evaluations are in full swing! Thank you to all of the Division Coordinators for their tireless volunteer hours and coffee runs, to the coaches, the evaluators, and of course to the players and their families for getting them where they need to be. It takes a village! 

A few things to note:

• The "Week-At-A-Glance" Schedule was moved from where it was kind of buried/nested within a sub menu, to being front-and-centre on the main menu of the website.
• U7 Groups have been announced, and are nested under Tryout and Recreation Evaluations here.
• U15 Recreation Groups have been MERGED for today's Session #2 - more info halfway down the page here. 
• U18 Recreation Scrimmage groups are posted - first session is at 11:00AM (2 hours away!) and second session is this evening. See halfway down the page here.

Thank you - and Happy Thanksgiving!

U7 Groups have been emailed out last night with ice times, they are as follows.  All ice times today are at East Coast Varsity Arena

Sackville U7 Devils- Head Coach - Mike Black- Sunday October 8th @ 12:30 pm

Sackville U7 Lightning- Head Coach- Brandon Moore- Sunday, October 8th @ 11:30 am

Sackville U7 Knights- Head Coach- Matt Brown- Sunday, October 8th @ 10:30 am

Sackville U7 Sharks- Head Coach- TBD- Sunday, October 8th @ 9:30 am

Subject: Early Season Ice Sessions - Get Ready for an Exciting Hockey Season!

Dear L2P Families,

We hope this message finds you in great anticipation of the upcoming hockey season! As we eagerly prepare for the start of another exciting season, we have some fantastic news to share with you.

While the official start date for the 2023 hockey season is still a few days away on October 11th, we're thrilled to inform you that we've secured three early season ice sessions, and the best part is, they come at no cost to our teams! These sessions are designed to help players get a head start, improve their skills, and build camaraderie with their teammates before the official season kicks off.

Here are the details for the early season ice sessions:

Thursday, October 5th, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday, October 6th, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Sunday, October 8th, 2023
Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Location: Sackville Sports Stadium

We encourage all players who are eager to hit the ice early, work on their skills, and bond with their teammates to attend these sessions. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, these early sessions are a fantastic opportunity to get back into the hockey spirit and gear up for a successful season ahead.

Please make sure to arrive a little early to ensure a smooth check-in process at the Sackville Sports Stadium.

We can't wait to see you on the ice and kickstart this season with enthusiasm and determination. If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to our coaching staff or our dedicated team coordinators.

Let's make this season one to remember! See you on the ice!

Warm regards,

Matt

Dear U7 Hockey Families,

We hope this message finds you and your young hockey enthusiasts happily enjoying the start of the 2023 hockey season with the Sackville Minor Hockey Association!

As we prepare to lace up our skates and hit the ice for the official start of the season, we have some important updates regarding our on-ice sessions and team placements coming up this weekend. Children will remain in their current grouping for their Saturday afternoon skate as follows:

Saturday, October 7th, 2023:
Group 1: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Group 2: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Group 3: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Group 4: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Location: East Coast Varsity in Dartmouth

These sessions on Saturday are a continuation of the practices that have been held this week. They exist as an opportunity for our young players to get back on the ice, refresh their skills, and, most importantly, have fun! Please make sure to arrive a little early to ensure a smooth start.

Team allocations:
We understand the anticipation of knowing which team your child will be on this season. An email will be sent out on Saturday evening, October 7th, confirming the final team placements for the season. We appreciate your patience as our coaching staff works diligently to ensure balanced and enjoyable teams for all players.

First Team Practice:
Teams will have their first official practice session on Sunday, October 8th, 2023, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM at East Coast Varsity in Dartmouth. The specific time slot for each team will be confirmed when the children are placed on their respective teams.

We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable hockey experience for our young athletes, and we can't wait to see them on the ice, building friendships and skills that will last a lifetime.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team coordinators or coaching staff.

Let's make this season one filled with great memories and exciting hockey moments! We look forward to seeing you and your young stars on the ice this weekend.

Warm regards,
Matthew Brown