The sport of hockey is considered Canada’s national pastime and every year many young children are enrolled into minor hockey associations across the country. Whitemud West Hockey Association (WWHA) is a non-profit, volunteer run organization that was formed to administer hockey within the Whitemud West area of Edmonton.

With the sport growing in popularity and other Hockey streams available to players and families, parents may be asked whether they are registering their child for play in a competitive league or playing competitive hockey within their community. Many factors, including influence from friends and each parent’s previous sports experience, can impact which league a child is signed up for.

Whitemud West is a community hockey-based association with different levels of competitive play (grouped into Tiers based on skill) with an Elite program at the U11 category. Our goal is to provide a fun, safe and competitive hockey program for children ages 4-13. Our association has over 900 players and teams in:

  • Discovery
  • Junior Timbits
  • Senior Timbits
  • U9
  • U11
  • U13

Our Elite hockey program consists of our U11 HADP (AA) program. HADP stands for Hockey Alberta Development Program which is the start of the Elite stream of hockey in the province. It will provide players with a developmental system that focuses on age-appropriate skill development and acts as a feeder system for elite hockey programs. Players wishing to play at this level must try out for the program.

 

What makes Whitemud West’s HADP so good?

  • 24 games (additional 6 games)
  • 24 practices (additional 6 practices)
  • 12 Development Ice Sessions – Power skating, Stickhandling, etc. (In addition to the 24 practices)
  • 6 Off-ice sessions RVX, ATHX as examples
  • 12 Development Goalie Sessions
  • Tournament fee– up to $1500
  • Pant shells and practice jerseys

 

How do we select players?

At time of player registration, you pay an additional $100 try out fee to attend our U11 HADP tryouts, with a guarantee of 2 games to each player. Whitemud West uses a third-party evaluator to assess players, allowing us to give the highest level of development to approximately 32 players. This is a key objective for our organization, as we compete with other leagues for our top talent and aligns our top U11 players with the AA Hockey Model and Tiered Alberta One system to ensure a proper development pyramid and feeder system into U13AA (CAC).

The top 24 evaluated players are protected and will be drafted by the selected Head Coaches to their team. Coaches select from the remaining skaters who made the prospect game to complete their team’s roster. We aim to have 16 skaters and 1-2 goalies per HADP team.

 

HADP Coach Selection

Our Coaches apply for the Head Coach position and are interviewed by our VP Coaching. They also have all proper coaching certification to ensure they are given the proper tools and skills for coaching our elite athletes.

 

How often are our HADP Teams on the ice?

At the U11 HADP level, players can expect to be on the ice up to 4-5 times per week with their team including practices, games, additional on ice or off-ice training such as power skating, skills camps, workouts etc.

Players will typically compete in a minimum of 30-40 games throughout the season, including the regular EFHL schedule, Minor Hockey Week, Exhibition Games and Tournaments.

 

How much travel?

Travel can be minimal, as each of our teams select tournament destinations. Should a team wish to travel out of province, which is a team decision.

 

Are there weekends off?

Edmonton Federation Hockey League (EFHL) offers a weekend blackout program for all teams. Teams may apply before the deadline set by the EFHL for a weekend off. Practices may need to be swapped with other teams or given away.

 

Cost for HADP

Our AA program has a lower cost than other Elite hockey streams available to families.

U11 Registration fee           $825 (Early Bird rate)

HADP Fee                           $825

Total                                    $1,650

* Whitemud West allows HADP teams to have an additional cash call of $300 per player. Additional needed team funds can be fundraised or collected from sponsors.

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