This past season I got the chance to coach a Junior C hockey team in my local rink. I had never coached anything as competitive as this, especially not at such a young age. I found it both challenging and exciting at the same time. The following is a general guide to what Junior C hockey is and how to play the game:
Table of Contents
The Game
Junior C hockey is played on ice rinks in small towns across Canada. One team, usually made up of young men, wears white, and the other team, usually made up of younger teenagers, wears blue. There are four players on a team, two defensemen and two forwards. One of the coolest things about coaching junior hockey is getting to observe the game as it is developed in front of you. You can see the skill level and how young men and women are taught to play together. The official rule book for the Alberta Junior Hockey League is over 200 pages long, so I recommend purchasing a copy to see how the game is structured.
The Rinks
The ice rinks in small towns across Canada are a great place to play hockey. There is always good sportsmanship and the fans really get into it. Junior C hockey is played on small rinks, which means there isn’t much room for error. The smallest rink I’ve ever been on had only six walls and a floor, plus a roof to play under. There is rarely any ice on the rink in the summer, so it stays frozen all year long. During the winter, the temperatures can get quite cold, so you’ll need to pack plenty of extra clothes if you’re playing on a frozen surface.
The Season
The season for Junior C hockey starts in September and ends in June. It’s crucial to get ready for the season as soon as possible so you don’t have to rush around finding players. The best time for you to start coaching the team is in the fall, so you can get a head start on the season. Before you know it, the ice will be gone and you won’t have anywhere to practice. In addition to the practice rinks, you can also use the park for shinny. There are a few things you need to watch out for though. First of all, the parks usually have a lot of open space so make sure your players know the difference between an open ice slide and a hockey ring. Second, make sure that the rink is always clean and free of any oil or water spills. Finally, try to avoid having the games in the evening due to weather conditions. During the day, the light is perfect and allows everyone to see the puck clearly.
The Teams
In my local rink, we had the following team composition:
- Brett (goaltender)
- Chipper (defenseman)
- Hawks (defenseman)
- Jumper (defenseman)
- Kenny (defenseman)
- Moose (forward)
- Rookie (forward)
- Stumpy (forward)
The kids I worked with wanted to be on a team with their friends, and they wanted to have fun while playing hockey. They didn’t really know much about the history of the game, so I had to teach them a little bit. The only way they would learn is by playing the game and having fun, so I didn’t have many problems with them wanting to alter the usual structure. We had one parent come down and watch one of our games, and he said that the level of play was better than most adult leagues he had seen. That’s always a good sign!
The Equipment
The most important piece of equipment for a hockey player is the helmet. The rules are pretty simple: you have to wear one. It should fit comfortably on your head and have good airflow. Most importantly, it should cover your ears so you can’t hear yourself think. One thing that can help you along the way to coaching Junior C is purchasing a good pair of headphones and listening to music while you work. It not only helps you focus better but it also allows you to hear everything clearly when the music stops.
Other than the helmet, you need protective gear for your arms, legs, and head. For goalies, this usually means a chest protector and a back protector. There are several types of defensemen, so you have to decide which one you need based on where you’ll be spending most of your time. You want to avoid any unnecessary collisions or scratches, so another great option for the defense is a pair of skate guards. You also need a pair of shin guards to protect your shins while you’re playing. Finally, a pair of bicycle gloves will keep your hands from getting sore from hitting the ice so often (it is important to keep your hands warm when playing hockey).
The Teams And Rinks Are Very Competitive
One of the things I enjoyed most about coaching Junior C is seeing how everyone pulled together to win. Even though we had some great players, we never felt like we had the best team. There was always someone willing to lend a hand and help the other team out. One of the most heartbreaking losses I ever had to deal with was in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. We lost that game 4-3 in overtime, and when I came back to the dressing room, a lot of the guys were in tears. After the game was over, one of the captains came up to me and said that they were sorry to lose but that it was a really competitive group of kids, and they were glad that they got the opportunity to play an important game in front of such a large audience. It made me feel a little better to hear them say that. It was really an awesome experience.
Try To Play Friendly Matches
To be a good coach you need to be able to deal with losing. Every team loses sometimes, especially young teams playing their first year. You can’t let this bother you though, because when you’re in the thick of things, you won’t have time to dwell on the past. Instead, you should be looking towards the future. The most important thing for you to do as a coach is to arrange friendly matches with other teams. There are several different age groups in Junior C, and if you can get a group of three or four teams together, you can schedule a match. You don’t need an official invitation to play against another team, but it’s always nice if the other side asks. It shows that they respect you and your level of play.
The above should give you an idea of what Junior C hockey is. From a players’ perspective, it’s important to have fun while also putting in the work necessary to improve. From a coach’s perspective, it’s important to remember to structure your practice sessions and develop a plan so you can have something to show for your efforts. If you’re considering coaching Junior C hockey, I hope that I was able to provide you with some useful information about the game. Good luck out there.