Program definitions

• First Shift The NHL/NHLPA FIRST SHIFT program is designed to ensure a positive experience for new-to-hockey families. We want families to experience the game at its best — to understand why so many Canadians feel an inherent love for the sport, and to stimulate a desire for continued participation. We want to take away any intimidation as it relates to equipment requirements, and/or rules of the game, remove potential safety concerns, and most importantly, provide an experience that is memorable and fun
• Recreation level (available for U7-U18): All players are divided into evenly balanced teams, have one practice mid-week. U11-U18 Rec teams will play in the OMAHA recreation leagues.
• Development (available for U9-U18 if there is enough interest):
  • Development Programs: All players would form evenly balanced Recreation level teams in their age groups. All players would be committed to their ice times for those Recreation teams (practices and games), but additional ice times would be scheduled, likely an additional practice time each week (2 practices per week total). Tournament rosters may be formed for select tournaments outside of the regular league schedules. Exhibition games could be scheduled against other development teams along with possibly entering development tournaments, but the Development Program would not play in a set development league. There are additional fees to participate in the  Development Program to cover extra ice costs.
  • Representative (available for U13-U18 if there is enough interest): A separate team in each division that would play in NCDMHA representative leagues or in OMAHA if approved. Players must attend tryouts to make the team. The team would have an additional practice time each week (2 practices per week total). All remaining players that are not on a Representative team would play on Recreation level teams. There are additional fees to play on a Representative team.