Bishop Guilfoyle Elementary Program
BG Primary & Elementary Hockey
Contact Coordinator Ken Partner
Organizational Meeting & First Practice
SUNDAY, October 4th 6:30 p.m.
Grades K - 6
Skaters on the ice from 6:30 - 7:25 p.m.
Parent's meeting will take place while players are on the ice.
 OUR PROGRAM IS A MODEL IN LINE WITH THAT ENDORSED BY THE HEAD COACH, JEFF JACKSON, OF THE NOTRE DAME HOCKEY PROGRAM
BG Hockey program is dedicated to the development of youth hockey. Our Marauders' Elementary program is designed to provided opportunities for hockey players in grades K - 5 to participate and have fun. The program provides participants regular on-ice instruction in a effort to give the young hockey player an opportunity to learn the game in a fun, relaxed environment.
The focus of our Marauders' Elementary program is fun and lots of participation. Each session players are encouraged to develop their skills during practice and then demonstrate these skills in competitive situations during cross-ice scrimmage games.
The Marauders' Elementary program is the start of the progression in the BG Hockey Program. This is a feeder program for those players wishing to move on to the Middle School League and eventually the Jr. High, Jr. Varsity, Varsity and Prep teams. The Bishop Guilfoyle Hockey Program offers opportunities for ALL players of varying ability levels to participate and have fun playing the great game of hockey!
Our Elementary Program Director ....
Dmitri Tarabrin, a product of Dynamo Moscow Olympic Program. more below
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Program Highlights
- Expanded skill-intensive curriculum
- Staffed with low player-to-coach ratio
- Provide player with a fun learning environment
- Modified playing environment to meet the needs of young players
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Curriculum
Curriculum is based on skill-intensive drills with minimal to no waiting in lines.Practices are fun and upbeat while allowing skaters the maximum amount of time on ice. Sections of the ice are divided by playing and skating ability so players can learn with groups of their own ability. Practice plans are structured and produced before each practice to allow for no down time during practice. As players progress over the course of a session, they move up to a higher level of skill development. Increased opportunities for players to touch and handle the puck.
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Seaons FULL of Hockey Instruction
in a FUN learning environment |
Bishop Guilfoyle Cross-ice Practicing and Playing Model
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Practicing
The children have more energy with which they can improve their skills when they are skating 85 feet across the ice surface as opposed to the 200 feet length of the ice surface
Group sizes become smaller which means learning and teaching will become more effective.
The close feeling of belonging to a team will motivate a child to participate with even greater enthusiasm.
Drills designed according to the varying skill level of players within the group are easier to organize.
More puck contact, resulting in improved puck control skills.
More repetition/frequency in drills in one ice session.
Hockey sense is enhanced, as more decisions must be made more frequently at a higher tempo.
General Spirit of
Participation and Fun
More children get a chance to play ice hockey.
More children will experience a feeling of success when playing hockey.
The same exciting and fun environment as in a "real" game is created.
More and less gifted children will benefit from close/tight action on the ice.
Children are excited and motivated to continue playing hockey.
Hockey will be more appealing and rewarding to a wider range of children and their parents |
Actual Game
Playing on a smaller rink results in increased puck possession time for each player.
Individual technical skills develop more quickly.
More frequent line changes in the game means more effective ice time for each player. Players "change on the fly" like the big guys.
Line changes are made quickly since the players are directly beside the playing surface.
Each player's activity increases greatly.
Scoring skills are enhanced since the players have more shooting opportunities.
The game is full of continuously changing situations.
The speed in playing situations increase, which will require quicker mental and physical reactions by the players.
Due to increased tempo, all of the team members take part in solving the playing situations, which leads to a sharing of responsibilities between players.
The feeling of being an important part of the action increases because of the small size of the rink.
Hockey sense, or understanding the principles of the game, is being developed at a young age.
There are no unnecessary breaks in the game (i.e. off-sides, icing). |
A study of hockey games played on the full-ice surface by George Kingston in 1976 found the following:
• In a sixty minute running time hockey game between 6-8 year old children, the average player had possession of the puck for 20.7 seconds.
• Top National Hockey League and international professional players were also timed and no player exceeded 85 seconds of puck possession time.
• In a sixty-minute children’s game the actual playing time of the game was 20 minutes and 38 seconds. Taking this into consideration, the individual player is only on the ice every third or fourth shift depending on how many players are on the team, resulting in even less ice time.
• An average of less than 0.5 shots per game for youth players and only 1.5 shots per game fo junior and professional players.
The study concluded that:
• For young players in the "full-ice game model" of development, the youngest players would require 180 games and the older youth players would require 80 games to enjoy 60 minutes of actual puck possession time to execute their stick-handling, passing, pass receiving and shooting skills.
• Professional and international players would require 60 games to ensure 60 minutes of puck control skill development.
Our Program's Director of Elementary & Middle School Player Development
We are excited to announce the addition of Dmitri Tarabrin as Director of the Elementary & Middle School Program as well as technical advisor within the complete Bishop Guilfoyle Hockey Program. Since 1999, Dmitri Tarabrin has had a strong presence in the Central Pennsylvania hockey community both as a player for the Johnstown Chiefs and as a youth hockey coach. A major focus of his time and expertise will be spent with our Elementary & Middle School players helping them build a solid hockey foundation.
Dmitri Tarabrin's Bio:
Playing Experience:
• Product of Dynamo Moscow Olympic Program, began skating at the age of six
• Played major tournaments all over Europe and Asia
• Coached by one of the biggest specialists of Junior hockey in the world, Yan Kaminesky, who runs over 200 camps worldwide
• Attended over 20 youth and Elite League camps in Russian Federation
• Member, Russian Junior National Team that finished second in IIHF European Junior Championship
• Member, Vuteck Ruzan, Russian 1st Division
• Member, North Battleford Stars, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League where he was a two-time Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League All-Star and was named Most Valuable Player and Fan Favorite for two seasons
• Member, ECHL Wheeling Nailers from 1997-99 where he scored 28 points in his first season as a professional and was a Fan Favorite award winner
• Member, ECHL Johnstown Chiefs from 1999-2007 where he is the all-time franchise leader in games played with over 500 professional games played and is the team's Alternate Captain/Captain for the 2006-07 season.
Coaching Experience:
• Has worked with Johnstown and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania youth hockey programs and conducted high level camps and clinics with a focus on not only on-ice hockey skills but also hockey-specific off-ice training.
Hockey Equipment Resources
The Ice Hockey Protective Starter Set from Sherwood includes the following items:Hockey Gloves Fast back style gloves with pre-formed backhand. Pre-curved, easy grip fingers. Reinforced micro fiber palms. Shin Guards Anatomical molded shin part. Side and calf wraparound protection. Soft double knee liner. High-impact molded PE caps. Elbow Pads Wraparound forearm protection. Deep elbow cup for added elbow tip protection. High impact exterior pad. Hockey Pants Tough polyurethane coated nylon shell. Two piece full frontal protection. Elastic knit crotch. Shoulder Pads Exposed rounded shoulder caps. Molded wraparound bicep protection. High-impact chest and spine protection. INCLUDES BONUS HOCKEY BAG!Sizing Reference Medium: 7-8 years old, 55 - 65 lbs, 3' 10" - 4' 2" Large: 8-9 years old, 65 - 75 lbs, 4' 2" - 4' 6"
EQUIPMENT: WHAT WILL THEY NEED?
Selection of hockey equipment is a key issue for players, parents and coaches. When purchasing and fitting hockey equipment, remember two important factors: 1) make certain the player is adequately protected and 2) be sure the fitting allows freedom of movement so the player can properly perform the necessary skills. By carefully considering these two factors, our child will be more comfortable and will have more fun playing hockey.
A complete set of hockey equipment can be purchased for a relatively reasonable cost. Shop around for the best values and remember that you need not buy the most expensive equipment.
Skates — Purchase skates that will fit your child today, with no more than 1/2” allowed for growth. Seek adequate protection in the ankle, toe and instep areas. Improperly fitted skates will hamper your child’s ability to skate.
Helmet — Must be of a design and construction approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC). Must be sized at the time of purchase to fit properly. The chin strap must always be fastened.
Facemask — Must be of a design and construction approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC).
Mouthpiece — Required for players in the 12 & Under (youth) and 8 & Under (girls) through Junior age classifications. USA Hockey encourages players of all ages and ability levels to use a mouthpiece.
Stick — Length should generally extend from the ice to the player’s chin (with skates on). Quality and price differ greatly, so the choice is yours.
Shin Pads — Check for proper length so they protect the knee and shin completely.
Supporter and Cup — Essential protective equipment.
Gloves — Check for proper fit with good finger and hand mobility.
Shoulder Pads — Adjust to fit the individual at the time of purchase. A fiber cap is extremely important in preventing shoulder separations and should extend to the tip of the shoulder.
Pants/Breezers — Held in proper position by suspenders. Pants provide protection for the lower spine, hips and thighs.
Elbow Pads — Properly fitted so they do not slide.
