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Medicine Hat Minor Hockey holding off on novice cross-ice changes

Oct 4, 2017 | 5:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – For young hockey players, learning the basics of the sport can be a challenge with varying skill levels on display.

That’s why Hockey Canada is moving forward with introducing cross-ice play for initiation-level players.

Brent Fisher, who coaches Timbits hockey, said he’s all for the sweeping changes from Hockey Canada.

“When you get out into the big ice surface, obviously you can get lost out there for some of these little guys,” said Fisher. “So, having it a little bit more confined and smaller spaces, it allows them to be… they’re not the big NHL players playing the big ice. So, they need smaller areas to play in.”

Five and six year old players are now mandated to play on half ice to better increase competition, and give skaters a more realistic view of hockey for their age.

Medicine Hat Minor Hockey general manager Kris Schultz said it’s something they’ve already been using in their Timbits ranks.

“Operating on half ice isn’t anything new for us,” said Schultz. “It just makes it easier, from an association standpoint, when Hockey Canada supports you and backs up what you’re doing by mandating something that will come into play starting next year.”

Change is on the way in the novice division however, with Medicine Hat Minor Hockey switching to cross-ice play next fall.

It’s an interesting spot for local hockey parents, with some seeing their kids move back to the smaller surface after a year of full-ice play.

Ryan Hornung said it might take some time before his son and novice teammates get used to the change in pace.

“I think it will be an adjustment largely because kids, just like grown ups, are used to watching hockey on full ice,” said Hornung. “So, unless we move the lines too, it’s going to feel like we’re not using this full surface. So, I think it will be largely psychological maybe to the initial adjustment.”

One aspect of the game that will need to change on half-ice will be rules such as offsides and icing.

However, Schultz isn’t too worried about the impact these rules shifting will have.

“Rules of the game aren’t something we’re concerned about teaching as an association,” said Schultz. “We want to teach and enhance the skill development of our kids, rules can be figured out at anytime.”

While it’s going to be an adjustment moving back to half-ice next fall, Hornung said he’s cautiously optimistic for his son.

“Gut feel is that it will be weird going back to a small ice surface, but I’m optimistic that it will help the kids improve.”

And for some novice players like Blackhawks goalie and defenceman Lukah Kiiskila, hockey is hockey no matter the size of the ice surface.

“I’m fine with doing it just half ice.”

All Canadian hockey players under the age of nine must begin playing cross-ice games by the 2019-2020 season.