South Muskoka Minor Hockey Association (SMMHA) offers the following levels of play:
Preschool Program (Cubs)
Players aged 4 years old can participate in this program. They will participate in full hockey gear learning the FUNamentals of hockey.
Initiation Program (IP)
Starting point for all new players.
This program is designed for beginners aged 5 & 6 year olds in which they will stay for the year. Beginner players older than 6 will be assessed based on skills and may be 'graduated' to a higher level that fits with their skill set when they are ready.
Tyke House League
The number of players registered in IP will determine if there is a Tyke HL program in any given season. Tyke HL is geared toward players aged 7 who have been through the Initiation Program before, show some knowledge of the basic skills required, and are ready to start learning the rules of the game (the main focus of this level will be expanding on the basic skills). This program is designed to help ease the transition between Initiation and Novice.
Local League
SMMHA is part of Muskoka-Parry Sound Local League (MPS-LL), we play games throughout the season starting in October against our own teams in house, as well as the other associations who are also a part of the MPS-LL. Currently those Associations are; Almaguin Minor Hockey, Huntsville Minor Hockey, Muskoka Rock Minor Hockey, Parry Sound Hockey Club and Highland Storm.
Your players
age is determined as of Dec 31st of the season start, for example those born in 2008 will be considered 10 for the 2018-19 season. SMMHA offers Local League Levels for:
Novice - age 8
Atom - ages 9-10
Pee Wee - ages 11-12
Bantam - ages 13-14
Midget - ages 15-17
Representative & Additional Entry (Rep & AE)
SMMHA will hold tryouts each season for those players interested in playing a more competitive level of hockey. Players who are chosen to play on a Rep or Alternate Entry team are not required to play on a Local League team.
In order to participate on either of these teams you must attend the Rep tryouts first, if your player is released by the Coach from that Rep team they will attend the AE tryouts, players not chosen for the AE team will be assigned (rostered) to a Local League team. Watch the main page on this site for details and tryout dates (tryouts start the end of August).
There is an increase in the fees associated with our Rep and AE teams. These teams have a higher commitment level of ice time and travel farther for games and tournaments (tournaments are chosen each season by the current bench staff for each team). Our registration numbers usually warrant one Rep team for Novice; as well as one Rep, and one Alternate Entry team, for Atom, Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget.
Select Teams
If there is enough interest in any Local League level, a Select team may be a possibility.
Select teams are comprised of a selected group of players from all teams in a particular Local League level (ie, a Pee Wee Select team would be open to all players on any Pee Wee LL team), who would like to participate in an some additional practices, exhibition games against other Select teams, and possibly a tournament or two. The players commitment is to their original rostered Local League team first, Select is an added bonus for them. There is an increase in fees for the extra ice time as well as any tournament costs associated with Select teams.
Our Association usually offers a Tyke Select team which is comprised of any 7 year old player. Please note this is based on numbers as well as the implementation of the NEW Novice & Below program outlined by OMHA for the 2018.
Depending on the interest for any Select team there may be tryouts, but there are no tryout fees.