Instructional Program

Instructional Program (IP) 

The Ancaster Avalanche Girls Hockey Association (AAGHA) is excited to announce we will be offering our Instructional Program (IP) during the 2019/2020 season. We have again partnered with the amazing team from Pro Hockey Life Academy to provide instruction..

The program is open to girls currently registered with AAGHA or to any girl that would like to give hockey a try. The program will provide a fun, supportive learning environment that will encourage young players to further develop their skills and their love for the game.  

For kids 5 and under that are just learning to skate, please see our Pre-Novice “Little Skaters Program”.


The goal of the AAGHA is to provide quality opportunities to our girls so they can reach their fullest potential as hockey players and strong, confident young ladies. This program will offer our young players an opportunity to develop their core hockey skills. 

In response to the program’s popularity, we have made arrangements this year to accommodate up to 45 girls. Spots fill up quickly, please register early to avoid disappointment. Registration details are included below.

Who Is This Program For?

Hockey Canada developed the IP to make children’s first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It's a structured, learn-to-play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game's basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play. Hockey Canada and the OWHA understand the important role it plays in helping beginning hockey players develop playing attitudes and foster an enjoyment of hockey as a lifetime sport and hobby. 

The Philosophy of the IP Program is:

• To have fun while playing hockey and engaging in physical activity.
• To learn the basic skills required to play the game of hockey.
• To develop an understanding of basic teamwork through participation in a variety of activities and adapted game situations.
• To create and refine basic motor patterns.
• To be introduced to the concepts of cooperation and fair play.

Program Focus

Developing basic hockey skills: 

• Skating
• Puck Handling
• Stopping
• Passing
• Turning
• Shooting

Local SPOKESPEOPLE for the Instructional Program (HCIP)

Geraldine Heaney and Laura Fortino

"This program sets the foundation for all future enjoyment and success our young players will have in the sport of hockey. How a player gets that first taste of hockey is crucial. If the beginner has fun, developing some basic skills and building confidence, there is a good chance that player will go on to enjoy hockey for many years."
- Geraldine Heaney  

"I believe it is important for every player to have access to the best program in the world for developing skills while having fun. Learning the basic skills in practice at a young age is so important, because it allows the children to skate more, make more passes, take more shots on net and have the puck on their stick more than in any game."
- Laura Fortino 

Program Details
The program consists of sixteen one hour sessions with some of the most qualified, experienced coaches/ instructors in Southern Ontario. It will run on Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:00pm at Spring Valley Arena in Ancaster. 

The program will take place on the following dates:

Oct - 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov - 5, 12, 19, 26
Dec - 3, 10, 17
Jan - 7, 14, 21, 28
Feb - 4

Program Cost 
$225 for players currently registered with the AAGHA. 
$275 for persons not currently registered in the AAGHA. The extra cost is to cover our insurance obligation. Current association members have already paid the insurance as part of their registration fee.

The AAGHA would like to ensure that all our youngest and first time players have a chance to benefit from this program.  All Novice and Atom players are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

Enroll your daughter in the IP program TODAY! You can register online.

Register Now! 

NEW THIS YEAR!!!! 

The AAGHA has added the opportunity for kids enrolled in the IP program to play in cross ice games.  This would be open to the kids that are not assigned to a team. This will allow kids to play hockey in a loosely structured environment. Full equipment will be required. 

Cost: $100 for 12 sessions

Dates:  Saturdays, starting November 2, 2019

Location: UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm (tentative)

Please note that during the Christmas and March break, sessions will not take place.  

Register Now! 

For more information on these IP programs, please contact:

Dan Starr
AAGHA Development Director
development@ancastergirlshockey.ca

Mr. Leo Paone from Pro Hockey Life Academy can be reached at www.phlacademy.ca

PHLA website: info@phlacademy.ca

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE AAGHA AS YOUR HOCKEY HOME