Westfort Hockey League

The ice times for U7 Stage 1 - Skills and Drills are set.  

All Westfort players have been grouped together and will be referred to as U7 Player Group D.  An email with further details will be sent to families - please check your email.

Westfort Minor Hockey is excited to have our U9 players back on the ice.  Young Caleb (pictured here) has been dreaming of getting back onto the ice and into the net since hockey abruptly ended last March.  With the help of donations from Superior Shores Gaming, Westfort Minor Hockey has been able to help young Caleb as he works on becoming the best goalie he can be.  Superior Shores Gaming Centre is open daily from for Cabinet and POD game play.

U9 Stage 1 Skills and Drills begins Sunday!!!!

All Westfort U9 players have been grouped together and will be combined with players from one of the other two Southside organizations to form a a player grouping.  They will be referred to as U9 Player Group D for scheduling purposes.  An email with details will be sent to all families - please check your email.

U9 Player Group D Stage 1 Schedule

Hello hockey families! 

We are well underway with our Return To Play!!  The U13 and U11 players have been skating for over a week now, and the U9 and U7 players will be joining them on the ice in the next couple of weeks.

Updated schedules for all LMHL age groups will be out soon!

We are all working hard to make everything run as smoothly as possible, and appreciate your understanding and patience as we all embark on a season like no other.

Please understand that every arena has different protocols, and our volunteers are doing their best to do everything within the restrictions with which we're working. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Hello Westfort Hockey families!!  

It's finally time.  The pods are arranged; the arenas are set; the skates are sharpened, and the kids are ready to hit the ice. Hockey starts today for the six associations that form Lakehead Minor Hockey in Thunder Bay!  U13 and U11 divisions are getting underway today, with U9 to follow on October 25th, and U7 on November 1st.

Remember to visit the LMHL website for your child's assigned group and skate times.  Only the first two weeks (U13 and U11) are posted at this point...stay tuned for the remainder of the schedule, as well as the U9 and U7 groupings.

As you all know, things are going to be a little different this year...please bear with us as we work together to make the best of the hand that 2020 has dealt to us! :) 

Please understand that each rink will have different policies and procedures in place.  Some rinks will allow a limited number of spectators.  Others do not allow anyone other than players and coaches in the building. 
 

CLICK HERE to view the arena protocols.

Here are a few things to know as we get underway:

1. Please show up no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled ice time.
2. Players are to come dressed, with the exception of skates, helmets, and gloves -- these can be put on at the rink.  Goalies can put their pads on at the rink.
3. No hockey bags are allowed in City run rinks, with the exception of goalies.
4. Each rink will have its own seating arrangements.  Please ensure you are following the requirements of the rink you are attending.
5. There will be COVID screeners at each rink.  If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, you will not be allowed in the rink.
6. There will be an attendance taker at each rink.  Please cooperate with them, and make sure you sign in.  They will be asking your name and phone number.
7. Due to COVID restrictions, IN RINKS THAT ALLOW SPECTATORS, ONLY ONE PERSON (PARENT/GUARDIAN) IS ALLOWED IN THE RINK PER SKATER.  Unfortunately, this means no siblings.  Parents/guardians are permitted to help children tie their skates -- please be mindful of physical distancing rules. 
8. Face masks are required for everyone in the rink.  Players must wear a mask at any time that they are not wearing a helmet.
9. Please bring your own jersey to the rink.  There will be no jerseys handed out at this point during Development - Phase One.
10. Players must leave the rink as soon as their skates are off.  Dressing rooms are not available at all rinks.

Thanks for your patience as we have been working hard to get hockey underway in a safe and fun manner...we can't wait to see the kids on the ice!

Registration for U7, U9, U11, U13 will close on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020.  If your want to participate in Stage 1 of Return to Play, be sure to register ASAP.

Stage 1 of Return to Play starts next week.

October 13 - U11 A/AA & U13 A/AA. 

October  25 - U9

November 1 - U7

Please see the LMHL website for all the details. http://lmhockey.com/news.php?news_id=1897753

STEP 1 - DEVELOPMENT & TEAM FORMATION

• October 13th – November 30th
• WMHA reserves the right to adjust the start dates based on player registration and ice availability.
• Player Registration will be through HCR website.  Registration is now closed for Stage 1. Please email westforthockey@gmail.com with any questions.
• Cost of this phase will be $100 (100% refund if Step 1 is cancelled due to COVID; 50% refund if Step 1 is cancelled with ½ or fewer sessions remaining when cancelled due to COVID)
• The player bubbles (50 or less players) will be determined by dividing players into U7, U9, U11 and U13 and further dividing based on where they register (A or AA).
• 10 - 12 sessions scheduled over 6 weeks (20-25 players per ice session)
• The sessions for this phase will be entirely focused on skill development with a potential for small scrimmages at the end of the session per HNO guidelines for Stage 3 (Team Formation); on-ice sessions to be organized by WMHA coaches while screening/documenting protocols will be handled by WMHA volunteers/organizations.
• Coaches will be able to use the sessions for draft evaluations but limits on attendees are expected to be required due to restrictions on the number of people permitted inside arenas. Specific rules to be determined.
• U11AA and U13AA team formation will be based on a city-wide draft format.  Details to follow.

STEP 2 – COMPETITION STAGE

(*If restrictions are lessened and it is possible to go to Step 3 prior to November 1, Step 2 will be skipped)

• There will be a break between Step 1 and Step 2 to facilitate the formation of teams.
• Stage 2 will take place December 1st to December 31st
• If a player did not register for stage 1 they will still have the opportunity to register for stage 2
• A player that participated in stage 1 will have the opportunity to opt out of stage 2
• The cost of stage 2 is to be determined
• Players who registered in U11AA and U13AA who do NOT make AA will be placed in the U11A and U13A draft pool for either the North side of Thunder Bay (PAMHA) or the South side of Thunder Bay (Elks, KC, Neebing, Norwest and Westfort), based on where the player registers.  It is possible that a player who has registered for U11 and U13 will be placed on a team with a different association other than the one registered for, but every effort will be made to keep these players within their home organization.  The intent is to ensure all teams have a full roster; all teams are of equal competitiveness and to maximize ice allotments. 
• Teams will be drafted as per the current guidelines in late November into 3 team loops.
• Game play and other rules are to be determined
• If Step 2 commences, it will not end early and will continue until December 31st
• No games will take place between December 24th and January 2nd
• There will be no tournaments or jamborees during this phase

STEP 3 - COMPETITION STAGE

• January 1st to a date to be determined
• This will be a continuation of Step 2 OR, if permitted, could combine the teams that were originally drafted and combine two 3 team loops into 6 team loops and play traditional 5v5 games
• Tournaments and jamborees MAY be possible during this stage

Hello Westfort hockey families and thank you for your patience. 

We are happy to announce the six associations within Lakehead Minor Hockey League have been working together to open registration. 

 Registration will open next week for Phase One (Development Phase) with a price of this phase at $100.00. 

 We anticipate phase One beginning shortly after Thanksgiving.  

Check the Westfort Rangers website and Facebook page regularly for details as they become available. 

As of August 31, 2020 we have HNO's return to play guidelines. Things look positive but now Westfort needs LMHA procedures for moving forward. Once they are put forward, Westfort can give parents a clear understanding of what we can provide. We hope to open registration very soon. Please stay tuned.

Thanks again and we look forward to a seeing everyone when the guidelines allow.

Westfort Midget A Rangers take home the city Championship!!

Congratulations to the Wesfort PWAA Rangers on their 2 game sweep of the Westend Bruins. The boys had an amazing year!!

Congratulations to the PW A Martin Financial Rangers (Brick City) and the PW AA Westfort Rangers (NEEBING Thunder on Ice) on their Tournament wins!!

Respect in Sport Parent Program

HNO is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Respect Group Inc. to provide an education tool that will further our commitment to fostering a safe and fun hockey environment for all participants.

The Respect in Sport Program for Parents is a unique, in-depth 1 hour online program geared to providing the parent with information on how to evaluate and understand:

• Parental influence over a child
• Coach and leader roles in sport
• Role of the parent and coach in ensuring a child’s enjoyment of a sport
• Protecting your child when outside of your immediate control
• Concussion awareness & Return to Play guidelines
• Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) model

The program is a proactive, educational program that empowers parents with the tools to ensure the game is enjoyable and respectful for themselves, their children and all other stakeholders in the game.

Beginning with the 2016-17 minor hockey season a minimum of 1 parent/guardian from each family with players at the Novice or Atom level will need to take the program along with 1 parent/ guardian from any players entering Hockey Canada programming for the first time in the peewee to midget age groups.

The cost of the one hour online program is $12.00+HST and you can complete the course at the link below:

 Respect in Sport Parent Program

NOTE - The Respect in Sport Parent Program differs from the Respect in Sport Leader/Coach Program. Therefore parents that have taken the Leader/Coach Program must still take the Parent Program.

Westfort Minor Hockey is extremely thankful for Carter Hutton, the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay and the NHLPA Goals and Dreams program for the donation of a full set of Goalie Equipment!! 

To learn more about this great NHLPA program, click here: http://www.nhlpa.com/giving-back/goals-and-dreams

The Westfort Hockey Association is committed to providing a safe and fun environment for all of our youth hockey players.  By emphasizing sportsmanship, teamwork, fair play and respect, we believe we produce not only good athletes, but great people.