Hockey Canada says it will be mandatory that children are getting reduced ice surfaces to play hockey.
Online forums have surfaced causing a stir of how half ice rinks could not allow a young hockey player to fulfill their full potential on the ice.
However, some are saying that having a reduce ice size for younger hockey players can be beneficial as it will allow more puck control, more plays and more scoring opportunities.
Dave Sooth is a coach here in London. “It depends on the programs, different programs evolve around skating and different programs evolve around actual hockey. If you have a program that that evolves around skating then it won’t affect it at all. If you have a program that evolves around hockey then it will definitely have an impact.”
Tim Austin is a hockey dad. His daughter plays for the Wolverines. ” I don’t think it matters for the development of a five or six year old. Both of my kids when they were five and six they both played on smaller ice surfaces. For a five and six year old going up and down half an ice I don’t think it makes any difference.
Austin says once they get into Novice League and playing other teams that’s when they need to have the full ice.
