We have a "fun first" approach to hockey. We aim to ignite a love for the game while building the kids' self-confidence, athleticism, and physical competence.

Here's how we achieve this:

Age-Appropriate Environment - Traditional hockey drills can be boring for young players. That’s why we create a fun environment, making sure that learning is engaging and enjoyable. We also play at a scaled-down hockey rink, allowing the kids to play in a space that’s just the right size for their age and skill level.

Competence - A love for the game often stems from feeling competent and successful. We create environments where kids can improve their skills and experience success on the ice (e.g., using multiple pucks to allow for more goals, reducing the playing area to increase opportunities for engagement, and grouping kids by skill level to maintain balanced play).

Autonomy - We empower kids by giving them a say in their activities and incorporating free playtime on the ice. When children feel in control of their experience, they become more self-determined and motivated to participate.

Community - We focus on fostering a strong sense of belonging among our players. With smaller group sizes, kids can form meaningful connections with their peers and coaches. Our coaches make a concerted effort to connect with each child, ensuring they feel comfortable and supported on the ice.

Beyond these core principles, our program also offers:

-A shorter, more manageable season.
-No out-of-town travel, making it easier for families.
-Consistent scheduling with sessions no earlier than 10 AM.
-Additional hockey sessions for those eager for more ice time.
-Familiarity with coaches and kids across other ADG sports, promoting a sense of continuity and comfort.
-A great parent group!

We will be splitting the hockey sessions into three levels by ability.

Learn to Skate: For kids who are still learning to balance on their own. These kids may need to start with a skating aid. The most common age group for these kids will be 2020 and 2019 born. This will be a smaller group with a lower coach to player ratio.

Intro to Hockey Level 1 - Rink Rangers: For kids who can at least shuffle around on the ice without help. These kids will likely still be falling a lot and likely won't have the skating stride fully figured out. The most common age group for these kids will be 2019 and 2018 born.

Intro to Hockey Level 2 - Ice Monsters: For kids who can stride and change direction easily with fewer falls. These kids may have some hockey playing experience but are still learning the game. The most common age group for these kids will be 2018, 2017, and 2016 born.

All sessions take place on Saturdays with the following times:

Learn to Skate:  10:00 - 10:40 am

Intro to Hockey Level 1: 12:00 - 12:50 pm

Intro to Hockey Level 2: 10:45 - 11:50 am

The program runs for 16 weeks starting October 5th, 2024 until January 18th, 2025.

In a typical hockey environment, coaches often spend 45 minutes running drills, leaving just a few minutes at the end for a fun game. However, research shows that when kids genuinely enjoy physical activity, they become more intrinsically motivated, leading to higher engagement and better skill development. This heightened engagement not only improves their abilities but also fosters a lasting positive attitude toward the sport.

That's why we take a different approach at ADG. Instead of traditional drills, our sessions are centered around games and activities that keep kids smiling, laughing, and having fun from start to finish. Our goal is to create an environment where kids genuinely enjoy their experience, fostering a love for the sport that keeps them excited to return week after week. While we do demonstrate and incorporate basic skills and techniques within these games, much of the learning happens organically through play and experimentation.

Take a look at what you can expect in our sessions:

Yes! In Intro to Hockey Levels 1 and 2, we will play various forms of hockey games including 4v4, 3v3, 2v2, and possibly even 1v1. We might also introduce more pucks, shrink the playing area, and make other adjustments.

Our most popular game format for beginners is what we've named "3-Puck." In this game, we split the kids into two teams and start with three pucks on the ice. Each time a puck is scored, it's removed from play until only one puck remains, which is then played in a standard hockey game format. This creates a dynamic environment that helps kids develop their skills and increases scoring opportunities for all players, regardless of their skill level compared to others. This approach differs from typical U7 5v5 hockey games, where the puck is frequently controlled by just a few players. Our 3-Puck game is designed to ensure that every player gets a chance to participate actively in the game.

ADG hockey might be the perfect choice for you if you value:

-A fun and age-appropriate environment
-Learning in small group settings
-Coaches who are passionate and great with children
-An environment that empowers kids
-A strong sense of community
-No need for out-of-town travel
-A consistent weekly schedule, beneficial for young children
-Sleep (no 7 or 8 am starts!)
-A relaxed atmosphere free from overly intense coaches or parents

Great question. Let me start by saying that I wouldn’t have both of my daughters in this program if I thought it would hinder their development. That said, this approach may not be for everyone.

At the youngest ages there is a direct correlation between the amount of time on the ice and the skill level. However, as they grow older, a more critical factor emerges—their passion for and enjoyment of the sport. This passion directly fuels their intrinsic motivation to improve.

So, while kids who are only skating once per week in this ADG hockey program may not progress their skills as quickly as those who are on the ice 2x per week in a regular minor hockey program, our primary goal is to enhance their enjoyment at the rink—after all, special things happen when kids truly fall in love with a sport.

Although it might seem like children who spend less time on the ice are "falling behind," I believe that fostering their enjoyment is far more crucial to their long-term development, especially at these young ages.

Additionally, for those kids who are eager to spend more time on the ice, we’re excited to offer bi-weekly hockey play sessions for all ADG hockey players during the fall/winter season, plus additional pop-up sessions throughout the spring and summer. (More details on this below.)

I will host bi-weekly "Hockey Play" sessions throughout the season to give kids additional opportunities to skate.

To keep this option affordable, I plan to utilize the "Last Minute Ice Rentals" offered by the City of London. These sessions are expected to occur on weekdays between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM or on Sundays at various rinks. The cost will be $15/player each session.

I also regularly organize pop-up hockey play sessions and multi-week programs throughout the spring/summer. Families participating in ADG hockey will be given priority access to these sessions.

Learn to Skate: A hockey helmet with a cage and skates are mandatory. We suggest that children wear hockey gear to enable them to play more freely and safely, reducing worry about the discomfort from falls. If you prefer not to invest in a complete set or if your child is uncomfortable with full equipment, starting with shin pads and hockey pants can provide protection for their knees and bottom/hips.

Intro to Hockey Level 1 and 2: Full hockey gear, including a neck guard, is mandatory. For quality used children's equipment, Herm's Sports is an excellent resource. If you have any questions about equipment, please feel free to contact me—I'm here to help!

Cost is $350 +hst ($400 +hst for Level 2 players) and paid in one of the following payment schedules:

$100 +hst ($113) non-refundable deposit due to secure a spot.
$250 +hst ($282.50) due by the first week.

or

$100 +hst ($113) non-refundable deposit due to secure a spot.
$100 +hst ($113) due by the first week.
$100 +hst ($113) due by the fifth week.
$50 +hst ($56.50) due by the tenth week.

*Level 2 skaters will need to add $50 + hst to one of the payments.

Payment methods: eTransfers are preferred. Credit cards are also accepted when paying in full. 

Each session will be run by myself (Kevin) and a few helper coaches. I have recently completed the "Coach 1 - Intro to Coach " with Hockey Canada, along with their "Respect in Sport" and "Gender Identity and Expression" courses.

I have been involved with athletic development for over ten years through my hockey training company. Although that business primarily focuses on online coaching, I've enjoyed my transition to coaching kids in recent years. This has sparked a deep interest in child coaching, prompting me to immerse myself in books, textbooks, and research papers on child psychology and athletic development.

I realized that there's a more effective way to approach youth sports than what is commonly practiced. This realization led to the creation of the ADG Method.

At the heart of the ADG Method is the belief that joy drives motivation and long-term participation. Rooted in the principles of Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan), we know that when children experience genuine joy in their activities, they become intrinsically motivated. This intrinsic motivation fosters sustained engagement and leads to the development of healthy, lifelong habits.

To cultivate this joy, the ADG Method revolves around two key principles:

Engagement - By immersing kids in fun, imaginative activities, we not only improve their athletic abilities but also ignite excitement and enjoyment at every step. When children truly love what they're doing, their skills improve naturally, and they begin to look forward to physical activity every day.

Competence - As children experience success in these activities, they build the confidence needed to take on new challenges. This growing sense of competence strengthens their love for movement and fuels persistence, empowering them to succeed in any sport or physical activity they choose.

Together, this balance of engagement and competence creates an environment filled with joy where kids thrive, building athleticism and a lifelong love for physical activity.

In crafting our sessions, we also integrate:

Discovery Learning: Encouraging kids to explore and learn through their own experiences.

Games-Based Approach: Using fun and interactive games to teach skills.

Self-Determination Theory Components: Fostering competence, autonomy, and connectedness.

Ecological Dynamics: Considering the interaction between the child and their environment.

Implicit Learning: Allowing children to absorb skills naturally without explicit instructions.

Free Play: Providing unstructured playtime to stimulate creativity and joy.

By combining these principles, the ADG Method offers a holistic and innovative approach to youth athletic development. It's not just about building athletic skills; it's about nurturing a lifelong love for movement and empowering children to thrive both physically and mentally.

Here's what some parents have said about ADG programs:

"This was an incredible opportunity for the kids and we are so happy we were given the chance to join. I wouldn’t change a thing you have absolutely knocked it out of the park! Thank you"

"My daughter love love loved it. Said I don’t remember soccer being that fun, can I go back tomorrow!!!! Thanks so much again"

"Yesterday was maybe the first time she didn't pout at hockey and smiled the whole time. Thank you for this! She had a blast!"

"You did an amazing job! Great progress and very fun for the kids. The coaches were all great!"

To learn more about my coaching philosophy with young kids, you can check out my Athletic Development Games Instagram account. 

**We are currently full for 2024 but have started a waiting list in case a player(s) drops out**

ADG programs operate on an application system, giving priority registration to families who have participated in previous ADG sports programs.

Please note, completing the application linked below does not yet register you for the program. We will contact you via email to inform you if we have a spot for your kid.

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