Registration is currently open for the Newmarket Minor Hockey Association (NMHA), after the pandemic kept players off the ice for most of last season.
Chris Neale, communications director and coach at the NMHA, said the pandemic was tough.
“It had a big impact on the kids, they just wanted to play,” he said.
With the easing of public health measures, the leauge has been able to run summer training programs.
“The kids are very eager to get started,” Neale said. “The smiles on their faces coming off the ice, it’s clearly evident they’re happy to be back on the ice.”
The regular season is scheduled to start Sept. 7, and registration is now open.
So far, uptake has been good and Neale said, “We’re right about where we are normally at this time of year.”
He added that a lot of the older kids don’t sign up until late August, closer to try-out time, so he is anticipating another boost at the end of the summer.
Generally the association has between 900 and 1,000 players every year.
To promote the sport to more people, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, of which the NMHA belongs, has been running a registration drive.
The campaign focuses on promoting the benefits of hockey like building strong community connections and having a positive impact on kids’ mental health.
“Hockey is as Canadian as maple syrup. It’s in our blood. We never had to market the game before to kids in Ontario. But we recognize it is no longer a given kids are going to play hockey,” said OMHA executive director Ian Taylor.
Neale said the awareness campaign is great.
“One of the biggest obstacles we face is the cost factor,” he said. “There’s a perceived misconception that hockey is outrageously expensive and I don’t think it is compared to all other sports.”
Players can sign up for as little as $375 for the youngest age group and $630 for the oldest.
For players who are returning to the ice this season, a number of public health protocols will be in place.
“We want to offer a safe environment for the children and we’ll do everything we can to provide that,” Neale said.
He said they will follow all public health guidelines and also have a return to play committee set up to make sure all the proper measures are in place.
