The Initiation Program is Hockey Canada’s premiere ‘Learn to Play’ program for beginning hockey and is the foundation of skills development for hockey in the OMHA.  The OMHA believes that players who learn the skills of the game are more inclined to enjoy playing. If they have the skills to play, they will love the game.

Hockey Canada developed the Initiation Program 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.

• Teach appropriate and correct balance, agility, edge control, skating, turning and puck control skills using the ABC’s of athletics.
• Introduce children to the simple rules and ethics of sports. 
• Develop the skill of speed in players through short (5 seconds or less) repetitions.
• Utilize the Hockey Canada Initiation manual to deliver appropriately structured practices.
• Limit technical and tactical information communicated to the layers. 
• Ensure players enjoy the game and want to continue to play in the future
• NCCP training in the Intro Coach Program 
• Continuing education through Mentorship specialty clinics offered at MHA level with a focus on teaching the technical skills.

• Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of physical activities.
• Strength training should be done solely with the players own body weight. 
• Other sports that build on fundamental movement skills applicable to hockey:
  • Gymnastics
  • Run, Jump, Throw programs
  • Soccer
  • Skating program