PATHWAY SKATES / 2026-2027
WHAT ARE PATHWAY SKATES?
The Player Pathway Program aligns with the Hockey Canada Long-Term Player Development Model, which provides age-appropriate, skill-specific guidance for youth hockey.
Pathway Skates ensure a participant's first ice session of the season is not a formal tryout, but a relaxed, player friendly opportunity to return to the ice.
Pathway Skates ensure a participant's first ice session of the season is not a formal tryout, but a relaxed, player friendly opportunity to return to the ice.
WHY PATHWAY SKATES MATTER
Not all participants attend hockey schools, spring/summer camps before the season begins.
Pathway Skates help level the playing field by giving every participant a chance to 'shake off the rust', get comfortable, and prepare for evaluated Placement Skates in a low-pressure environment.
Pathway Skates help level the playing field by giving every participant a chance to 'shake off the rust', get comfortable, and prepare for evaluated Placement Skates in a low-pressure environment.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Pathway Skates are only open to FULLY registered Southwest Hockey ("SHA") participants in U7, U9 (Community & House), U11 (Community & House), U13, U15 and U18
There is no additional cost to attend.
There is no additional cost to attend.
WHEN DO PATHWAY SKATES BEGIN?
Pathway Skates will not begin before August 31, 2026
Each age division will have its own schedule posted on the SHA website and also communicated by the Eval Lead or Eval Assistant for each age division.
Each age division will have its own schedule posted on the SHA website and also communicated by the Eval Lead or Eval Assistant for each age division.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Pathway Skates are not evaluations. No assessments are completed, and no data is collected during these sessions.
While attendance is not mandatory, it IS strongly recommended to help players feel comfortable and prepared for Placement Skates.
Families should check their division’s posted schedule and watch for email updates from their Age Division Eval Lead or Assistant regarding any changes or group assignments.
While attendance is not mandatory, it IS strongly recommended to help players feel comfortable and prepared for Placement Skates.
Families should check their division’s posted schedule and watch for email updates from their Age Division Eval Lead or Assistant regarding any changes or group assignments.
house league (U9 & U11) PATHWAY SKATE SCHEDULE
House League (U9 & U11) participants will have a set number of Pathway Skates prior to their evaluated Placement Skates. The number of sessions, and group assignments are posted in the House League Pathway Skate Schedule.
COMMUNITY league (U7 to U18) PATHWAY SKATE SCHEDULE
Community (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 & U18) participants will have a set number of Pathway Skates prior to their evaluated Placement Skates. The number of sessions, and group assignmenets are posted in the Community Pathway Skate Schedule.