Under construction June 2025

Introduction to U7 & U9 Hockey

Metro East Inferno Female Hockey Association (MEIFHA) is very pleased to once again offer U7 and U9 hockey to our members. The following information is intended to address some of the most frequently asked questions.

Questions and concerns may be directed to the U7 and U9 coordinator (u9@metroeastinferno.ca)

What determines if players are U7 or U9?

Hockey age is as of December 31st.

• U7 players are 4 to 6 years old. (born in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for the 2025-26 season)
• U9 players are 7 and 8 years old (born in 2017 & 2018 for the 2025-26 season)

Sometimes first year U11 new players join the U9 program as well, but these exceptions are considered on a case by case basis.

Regionalization: What rinks will be used for U7 & U9 hockey?

This depends somewhat on the number of registrants we get each year. At the U9 level, we typically have an Intermediate team and a Developing team, of ~20 players each. At the U7 level, so far we have only had one group of ~20 players. Most of our ice times are located at RBC Centre, in Dartmouth, or at Cole Harbour Place, in Cole Harbour.

Should registration numbers allow us to host multiple developing teams, we would strive to regionalize our teams. We would make every effort to keep friends and classmates together, and secure ice within their community. For example, if we are able to have a full team made up of players from the Eastern Shore, then we would do our best to book ice for them at the Eastern Shore Community Centre.

I have heard Female Hockey requires a lot of travel. What can I expect at U7 and U9?

Under construction

We currently have an all-female U9 Intermediate circuit and an all-female U9 Development circuit. There is not as much travel as you would think.

Evaluations: Are there evaluations for U7 or U9 and what is the associated cost?

There are no evaluation fees for U7 or U9 players.

U7 does not require any evaluations at this time, and all U9 players will be evaluated during the first few ice-times, which we call 'Balancing.' Players are initially grouped alphabetically and required to wear identifying numbers, but the sessions are run as typical U9 practices.  

The evaluators (nonbiased, neutral third parties) may regroup players from one ice time to the next, and will eventually assign all U9 players to either an Intermediate or Developing team. This process usually takes 2 weekends with 3 to 4 ice-times for each group. Group lists, schedules and process will be published on the website each September before it begins. 

Programming: What do the U7 & U9 hockey programs look like within MEIFHA?

Our U7 and U9 groups are typically ~ 20 players. We share the same philosophy and goal as Hockey Canada and Hockey Nova Scotia where the first few years of hockey must be a positive experience full of fun and excitement. If your daughter has fun, develops basic skills and builds confidence, there is a better chance she will go on to enjoy hockey for a lifetime. But if she has an unhappy, unrewarding experience, she may quit at an early age and never discover the real joy of Canada's game. Every young player should have the opportunity to enjoy hockey for life! Our U7 and U9 level programming will serve as the foundations upon which Metro East Inferno Female Hockey Association is built. Girls at every level in our Association will benefit from getting the ‘right start’ in the game.

Programming at both the U7 and U9 level is a crucial piece in building skills necessary for future recreational and competitive team players alike. More than 30 years ago, Hockey Canada developed the Initiation Program to ensure a fun, safe and positive hockey experience. MEIFHA will be following this program as well. Here are the highlights of the program as published by Hockey Canada: add link here

Games: Are there games at the U7 & U9 level?

One of the key features of both the U7 and U9 programs are half-ice games. MEIFHA follows the Hockey Canada half-ice structure as it allows both players and goalies to have more puck touches and increases overall engagement for all players in game play. In half-ice games, offence is increased as there is often up to six times more shots in a half ice game, which in turn means goalies are engaged and getting more chances to stop and play the puck. Further, players are generally closer to the puck and all in-game action, which increases engagement and allows them to feel part of the game.

What other games, special events or tournaments are available? 

The Head Coach, team management and parent groups decide if they wish to participate in various jamborees in the course of a given season. Participation may differ from year to year, but each team typically attends 1-2 jamborees per season, such as SEDMHA or the Joanne Lenihan Memorial Jamboree or others associations organize trhoughout the season.

Are teams allowed to travel outside of Nova Scotia at the U7 & U9 levels?

Hockey Nova Scotia does not allow U7 and U9 teams to travel out of province to play games. However, other provinces have different policies and teams are able to visit and play our U7 and U9 teams.

Are jerseys and socks provided? *NEW* 2025-26 U9 will not have Timbits uniforms

MEIFHA aligns its jersey and sock policy with both female and male association’s across the country. Jerseys and socks are provided by the Tim Horton’s program for all U7 teams. This is a nationally run program that helps ease the cost of hockey for families and players are able to keep what is often their first hockey jersey.

U9 players will be wearing Inferno jerseys for the first time, in 2025. Plans are underway now for the upcoming season.

Are practices on full ice or half ice?

Most practices at both the U7 and U9 level are conducted on half-ice surfaces. This increases engagement for both players and goalies and the younger girls are more likely to hear and understand coaching directions from a smaller ice surface. Some full ice practises may be scheduled. 

This is my daughters first time on the ice – I am worried that they will not have fun or it will be too serious.

Both the U7 and U9 programs are developed with the intention of having fun and both programs represent the first time many children have been on an ice surface. Programming will be delivered through a progressive learn-to-play teaching curriculum. Children learn best through participating in practice drills and sessions as well as through informal and modified games, such as shinny, freeze tad, obstacle courses etc. The program is designed specifically for young players and lesson plans follow a defined path of progression. The skills of skating, puck control, passing and shooting are introduced and refined in a progressive ‘one step at a time’ manner. The emphasis is on fun and skill development and the programs give the opportunity for your child to experience fitness, fair play, cooperation and new friends. Players should also be exposed to all positions in the game and MEIFHA offers goalie equipment to both the U7 and U9 group, and players will rotate and take turns practising the goalie position. To ensure a positive experience, a coaching clinic has been designed for the on-ice coaches that focuses on communication, teaching skills, leadership, skill analysis, lesson organization and safety and risk management.

How can I get involved?

We are always looking for volunteers! We need coaches, on-ice helpers as well as off-ice help to ensure all of our members have the most positive experience possible.

• On-ice: The VP Hockey will put an email 'Call for Coaches' which is published under NEWS with a google form to complete. Once Head Coaches are in place, they are often the best person to connect with about helping on the ice.
• Off-ice: There are many tasks undertaken behind the scenes. You can get an idea of these under the Coach/Manager: Duties & Responsibilities page HERE (add link). Some of these tasks are not required for U7 and U9. Speaking to your coaches is the best way to volunteer at a team level. If you are looking to contribute at an association level, you can find out more HERE.

What are the next steps?

• Registration opens in June or July but while U11 and up incur a late fee after August 15th, U7 and U9 do not. We do, however, encourage you to register as early as possible, as all available spaces can fill, (We cannot add teams in September, therefore space is limited by the number of teams set after August 15th).
• If your player is NEW to Hockey or coming to us from another association CLICK HERE 
• If you are interested in VOLUNTEERING CLICK HERE 
• If you have already created an HCR account and profile with the INFERNO, looking for information on pricing or ready to proceed to registration CLICK HERE (link to be updated to 2025-26 once published)

My player is registered. What now?

• SUBSCRIBE to email. Registration is ongoing so while emails are sent to coaches and staff as teams form, they are not immediately uploaded to the GrayJay email system. Best to subscribe to ensure you don't miss anything and while you're at it, follow us on social media! (add links). Email and posts will keep you informed with details and links to the website when information is updated, but here are a few tips:
  • Lists and schedules for Preseason Development Sessions will be posted under PRESEASON/Development Sessions HERE (link to be updated to 2025-26 once published)
  • The U7 and U9 Master Lists, and U9 Balancing groups and schedules can be found under PRESEASON/Evaluations & Teams HERE (link to be updated to 2025-26 once published). Note: There will be no balancing for U7 in 2025-26 but first practices should be posted in September.
  • Once teams are formed, rosters and schedules should be viewable on our GrayJay website under your age division and team name. These sites often need a volunteer to keep this up-to-date - could that be you?
• You should expect to hear from your Head Coach via email, before your first scheduled practice time and/or one day after final team selection (U9 and up).
• If you think your player is missing from an updated list or you haven't heard anything and you're worrying, reach out to registrar@metroeastinferno.ca so we can check your registration.

Where can I get help with equipment and where do I find Inferno swag?

Any local sporting good store such as Cleve's, Sportchek, or Pro Hockey Life would be happy to help you equip your player, however our members get discount at Cleve's Source for Sports. Members receive a discount code and Cleve's also hosts a VIP weekend in the Fall with exclusive offers. The Inferno offer apparel through Cleve's Source for Sports in Burnside (60 Akerley Blvd) by way of online ordering (Click here to go to our Apparel page). Limited items may also be available in store.

Gently-used gear is also a great option for young players as they tend to grow out of gear before it wears out. We have held gear swaps in the past and may again. Watch for Inferno email (subscribe here) and/or follow us on social media. Please remember to check expiry dates on helmets - like car seats, they expire.

Are parents allowed in the dressing room?

U7 and U9 parents are expected to be in the dressing room, to assist their players with equipment, however, at U11 we move to a female-only-two-chaperone system where parents are not permitted. U11 and over players who wish help from a non-chaperone are required to leave the room (for example: insert-name-here has to tie my skates). 

My player is participating in First Shift - can they join a team after it ends?

Joining teams information is under construction.

First Shift participants have the option to participate in the MEIFHA First Shift 2.0 program. It is generally run by the same all-female staff who support the MEIFHA First Shift program. Information about registering for this 6 hour extension program should be available as the end of the First Shift program nears. Never heard of First Shift? Click HERE.