Bauer and Hockey Canada are pleased to announce the launch of the 2015-16 application process for The First Shift program. Minor Hockey Associations are encouraged to review the application criteria and submit an online application if the Association wishes to be selected as a host community for The First Shift Application.

The application deadline to host a program is March 15, 2015. Interested minor hockey associations are encouraged to apply early as all applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee as they are received, and host MHAs will be confirmed on an ongoing basis.
The First Shift is a program designed to ease kids and their families into the sport of hockey in a fun and welcoming environment.  It is open to boys and girls ages 6-10 years old, who have never registered to play hockey.  The registration fee is $199 for each participant and includes:

• A Welcome Event - information, education, and an equipment fitting session
• 6 “Learn to Play" ice sessions
• A complete set of Bauer gear including: Helmet Combo (with facemask), shoulder & elbow pads, under protective top w/neck guard & shorts with jock/jill, pants, hockey socks, shin guards, jersey, gloves, stick & skates

For minor hockey associations, The First Shift offers the following benefits:

• The opportunity to bring new families into your hockey community, and increase membership
• Bauer Support 
• Welcome event execution
• Promotional program support
• Positive media exposure 
• Head to toe equipment for participants
• Coach kit including: gloves, stick, helmet and training suit
• Hockey Canada Support 
• On ice programming 
• Instructor criteria & education
• Welcome event execution support
• On going program support

Bauer and Hockey Canada have been extremely pleased with the national launch of the program this fall 2014.  Together with the minor hockey associations, we offered 26 programs to local communities across Canada and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.  Kids had fun, and parents responded, with 86% re-enrolling their child to continue playing hockey with their local minor hockey association.  Host Minor Hockey Associations across Canada were also extremely positive about the program, and the impact on their local communities.

“ The First Shift program has had an amazing impact on our association, in terms of growing our numbers, and bringing new energy into our program.  47 of 51 families re-enrolled for our January session, and we have a waiting list of 21 families.  Our on ice coordinator and his team did a fantastic job, and we look forward to hosting another program next fall.”- Tavistock Minor Hockey Association, Ontario

“I am completely humbled  by the opportunity to host this event in our community.  Never in a million years did we think we would be selected.  This event will change lives. We know from experience that keeping kids in sports not only develops skill, but attitude and self-esteem and most importantly, friendships.  The kids in this community need something positive to keep them busy, and we know that sports will do that.  We are so happy to be a part of this great event.” - Ochapowace First Nations, Saskatchewan

For complete program information, please click here The First Shift. Additional questions and inquiries can be directed to thefirstshift@hockeycanada.ca.