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This page includes:
- Program Information
- Schedule Information
- Registration Information
- FAQ section
Please scroll down to view the information we have available for these topics.
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What is the Initiation Program?
The Initiation Program is developed by Hockey Canada and supported by Timbits Sports.
The goal of this program is to:
- Teach the basic skills of hockey so that players can enjoy the game.
- Assist in the development and enhancement of physical literacy and basic motor patterns.
- Develop and encourage the concepts of being a team member through player participation.
- Encourage aspects of fitness, fair player and cooperation while having fun.
- The program consists of four phases of instruction, designed for any entry-level hockey player, helping introduce the skills of skating, puck control, passing and shooting in a fun and age-appropriate progression.
Schedule Information:
August 2025: Please note that other than what is outlined below, we do not have any specific schedule information yet.
- Ice sessions are typically every Saturday and Sunday, scheduled anytime between 7am-1pm (this time range may change slightly). Ice times vary from week to week.
- The season goes from October through to March. The first half of the season schedule will be released in late-September. The second half of the season schedule will be released in December.
- There are a handful of dates that your player will only be on the ice once a week.
- There is no hockey the week of Christmas.
- Occasionally, your player will only have one ice session in a week. This is usually because the arena is being used for a different event.
- Your ice sessions will typically be at the same rink every week, however the times will change.
Please note that we will make every effort to reschedule any unexpectedly cancelled ice sessions, but sometimes we are unable to do so. We do not offer refunds based on cancelled sessions.
Basic Registration Information:
| Birth Year |
Division |
Price |
Payment Info |
Registration Info |
| 2020 & 2021 |
Under 6
(U6) |
$540
All inclusive, no taxes. |
Register online and pay in full or split into two payments. Second payment is charged Sept. 15th. Register in-office to pay with other payment methods. |
Spaces are filling up - click here to register or join the waitlist. |
| 2019 |
Under 7
(U7) |
$540
All inclusive, no taxes |
Register online and pay in full or split into two payments. Second payment is charged Sept. 15th. Register in-office to pay with other payment methods. |
Spaces are filling up - click here to register or join the waitlist. |
| 2018 |
Under 8
(U8) |
$540
All inclusive, no taxes |
Register online and pay in full or split into two payments. Second payment is charged Sept. 15th. Register in-office to pay with other payment methods. |
Registration is open and spaces are available. Click here to register. |
The third and subsequent child registered in the Initiation Program and/or House League receives a $200 discount. You must register all three children at the same time to receive the discount. It will automatically apply when you have three registrations in your cart. Please contact the office if you are having trouble.
FAQ:
1. What are the requirements for my player to participate in this program?
Your player must be able to move around the ice under their own power, and get up off the ice on their own if they fall down. Full equipment is also required for all players.
Parents/guardians are not permitted on the ice unless they have completed the requirements to be a team volunteer. More info about that can be found here.
2. What does the registration fee include?
Your registration fee includes a jersey and socks provided for your player, all ice sessions, Hockey Canada (on-ice) insurance, administrative support from BLOMHA and a team and individual photo (should your player attend photo day).
The third and subsequent child registered in the Initiation Program and/or House League receives a $200 discount. You must register all three children at the same time to receive the discount. It will automatically apply when you have three registrations in your cart. Please contact the office if you are having trouble.
3. Where are games played?
- Aldershot Arena
- Appleby Ice Centre
- Central Arena
- Nelson Arena
- Mountainside Arena
- Mainway Arena
- Skyway Community Centre
4. I have registered my player(s) - now what?
Teams are formed in mid-September. Once the scheduling information is available, you will receive an email from BLOMHA with that information and a link to your division calendar. The next email you will receive is from your player's coach, welcoming them to the team.
5. How do the ice sessions work?
Every ice session will see two teams sharing the ice, each taking a half. Coaches will work with the players on improving their skills and skating at practices, and occasionally half ice scrimmages. These scrimmages are not reffed or scored, they are just to help the players understand the flow of a hockey game. The skills include skating, skating with a stick, skating with a stick and a puck, shooting, puck control passing, etc.
6. Can my player be on the same team as their friend or sibling?
More than likely, yes. Your player may be on the same team as someone in the same age division by filling out this request form. Please note that while we do our best to accommodate all friend requests, sometimes they don't work out. We only accept friend requests via this form, and will only be accepting them until August 31st 2025.
Please note that friend requests are only available for the Initiation Program. We do not accept friend requests for U9 +.
7. What equipment is required?
All players must be in full equipment as required by Hockey Canada. A full equipment list for the I.P. Program can be found here.
8. Can my player try the goalie position?
Yes. There are no formal goalies in the I.P. Program, players will rotate through this position. BLOMHA loans out goalie equipment to all I.P. Coaches.
9. If the weather is bad, what happens?
BLOMHA does not cancel ice sessions due to inclement weather, we follow the City of Burlington's lead.
If the arena is open, you ice session will go forward. If the arena is closed, the ice session is cancelled. Please subscribe to the City of Burlington updates so that you can be made aware of any closures. Click here to subscribe. If you choose not to attend an ice session because of poor weather, your player will not be penalized.
Please note that while we make every effort to reschedule any ice sessions that do not move forward due to poor weather, we cannot guarantee that your ice session will be rescheduled. No refunds will be issued related to inclement weather.
10. What is BLOMHA's withdrawal and refund policy?
Click here to read it and/or request a refund.
10. Still have questions? Click here for our Parent/Guardian Resource guide.
11. Was your question not answered?
Send an email to [email protected] for assistance. We look forward to hearing from you!