Welcome to Minor Hockey Week 2025 

We are so excited about Minor Hockey Week 2025! We are hopeful that players, coaches and managers appreciate and enjoy the additional details that make MHW feel different than the  regular season and more like a tournament. Creating an atmosphere of fun and excitement is our  primary goal.

Please read this welcome letter completely so that you know exactly what to expect during  MHW.  

MHW 2025 Details:

• Minor hockey week will run from Thursday January 9th to Sunday January 19th
• Opening Ceremonies and Celebrations Thursday  January 9th starting at 5:30
• Tournament Headquarters is located at Frank Lacroix Arena where Basket  Raffles and other activities will be found. Opens Thursday January 9th 5:30
• Every Game will begin with the  “WBHL Pro Shop” Race .
• Every Game will End with a “Boston Pizza ShootOut”.
• Each game will have a Heart & Hustle Award and MVP Award
• Goalies vs Goalies game Thursday January 9th at  5:30pm
• Coaches vs Coaches Game Thursday January 9th at  7:30pm
• Specialty Games Featuring Firefighters, Gentlemans and Oldtimers leagues
• AJHL Oil Barons Minor Hockey Week Jersey Day - January 12th 2PM Game
• U7 and U9 Participation Medals  
• U11 to U18 Bronze and Gold Medal Games

With 78 FMMHA teams participating in over 300 games and special events celebrating hockey, this promises to be an incredible and action-packed week! More than 1,300 players, 290 coaches, and 95 referees will all be in action, showcasing their skills and dedication to the game.

Welcome Package

This is a special week, so we are starting it with a special gift for EVERY player and team!  Each team package includes the following:  

• Player, Manager and Coach tickets to enter for the basket Raffles
• Player Gift ( Toiletry Bag)
• A Heart and Hustle for each game.
• A MVP for each game.
• WBHL PRO SHOP Skate coupon for Home Games (Awarded to Race Winner)
• A Boston Pizza Shootout coupon for a team party
• Team Door Magnets  
• Mini Poster for each player
• Helmet Stickers
• Minor Hockey Week Rules
• U7/U9 Medals

(NOTE – Managers, please advise if there are any of the above items missing as soon as you notice.)

Please ensure that all tickets for Tournament Headquarters are handed out during your first game  at FLA. If you are not scheduled to play at FLA, (it is impossible to get all teams up there) please  handout during your first game and encourage your team to come visit the headquarters.

All tickets and welcome gifts are to be given to players and not withheld by coaches. We  were made aware that a few years ago, some coaches used these tickets as an ‘incentive’ and had  players earn them. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.  

GAMES 

All games, including those played on the mini ice will have a WBHL Pro Shop Race and Boston Pizza ShootOut. U7 Slots are 60 Minutes and coaches should adjust accordingly.

Hockey Celebration Games

Minor Hockey Week is a celebration dedicated to honoring all our programs and the vibrant hockey community we cherish. Join us for special games crafted to celebrate every player. Rally your teams, come together, and immerse yourselves in the excitement of these dedicated matches. It's an opportunity to unite and cheer for our players of all ages—let's make it a memorable celebration of our shared love for the game!

• Goalie game
• Coaches game
• Oldtimers League will have 8 teams challenging WBHL Teams
• RMWB Firefighters will be Challenging U18 Storm
• Multiple Intersquad Game between JOB and Huskies Programs

U11 “No Coaching”  3on3 Celebration Games

“3 on 3 is a great way to develop high tempo stickhandling and quick decision making capabilities, all while having a tremendous amount of fun!” ~Mike Gartner~

Teams should anticipate double ice time on select days for an immersive experience.  The 3on3 offers U11 players  the unique opportunity to relish the joy of pond hockey-style play while honing their skills. Though these games don't contribute to standings, any team that fails to show up will incur a 2-point deduction in their overall standings as it takes away from the fun of the opposing team.

The objective is simple—divide into 3-on-3 lines, let the players unleash their energy, and most importantly, have fun. Coaches' primary responsibility is to ensure safety and enjoyment, with occasional guidance to help teams organize themselves

MHW TOURNAMENT

See MHW Rules document for the tournament Format and rules U7 to U18!

TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS 

The Frank Lacroix Multi Purpose Room will be set up with Games and Raffles. Please encourage your teams  to stop by and check out this room!

o Raffle Baskets – over 65 teams signed up to donate baskets. Each player has a  coupon in the welcome kit, and they can choose which raffle to enter. Additional  tickets will be available to be purchased for $1/ticket. All Prizes will be drawn on  Sunday January 19th and can be picked up immediately after the draw or on  Monday January 20th.

o Playstation and Xbox –will be set up with hockey games available for all players and their siblings to take a turn.

o Mini Stick Rink –will be set up and ready for teams to come in and have a little 3 on 3 fun.

o Sucker Pull - Pull a marked sucker and win tickets to enter more raffles!

o Looney Drop - Drop a loony in the tank and if you hit the bull’s eye you will get 5  free tickets.

o Spin the wheel - Chance to win special prizes.

A huge thank you to all teams for participating in the creation of the excellent baskets.  

Please Note - We had issues with spills and food left in the room and with unsupervised  children- Rules will be posted and must be followed to keep the room clean and safe.  

NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN THE TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS All Children must be supervised!

HOURS OF OPERATION

*Sales for Raffle Tickets and 50/50 end Sunday Jan. 19th @ 3PM. All hours of operation are subject to volunteer sign up and commitment.

Food Bank Challenge

The food bank challenge is back: Food Bank Challenge as a meaningful addition to our community give-back initiative. The rules are straightforward—each member of a team can contribute to the cause by bringing in food items. For every item donated, a ballot will be issued, giving your team a chance to win a grand prize.

Donations can be dropped off at the tournament headquarters during its operating hours. The winner of the grand prize ($200 Gift Card to the Alley) will be drawn on Medal Day, adding an extra touch of excitement to our commitment to community and generosity. Let's come together to make a positive impact!

50/ 50 TICKET

We will be selling 50/50 via Raffle Box QR codes will be set up around the arena and on our Social Media pages

Draw dates are as follow:

Live Draw on Sunday Jan 19th after 3PM.

All prizes will be posted on the FMMHA Special Events Facebook page, the Minor Hockey Website and up in headquarters at FLA. All winnings can be claimed at MHW headquarters at FLA during open hours. Sunday January 19th the Headquarters will be open till 8:30pm for raffle pick up.

Oil Barons Game Minor Hockey Night!

We will have our Minor Hockey night on January 12th. The game is at 2:00 PM. Any minor hockey player that wears a FMMHA  jersey can get in for free. The parents/siblings etc pay for their seats. Any child that is 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note - They do ask for ID if they come in alone and look younger than 15.

OPENING CEREMONIES at Frank Lacroix  

On Thursday, January 9th  we will be celebrating our Achievements in this past season. Our president will be opening Minor Hockey Week with a Welcome and we will be kicking off with our Coaches Game. Yes, our coaches will even do the Race and the Shootout!  

Coaches pour hours into our kids, both on and off the ice – looking for drills, creating line formations,  looking for tournaments, communicating with players and parents, attending meetings and everything else that hockey throws at them.

Prior to the coaches game we will be having a little fun with our Goalies. All season long they are the last stop before getting a puck in the net.  Let’s see how they do at scoring goals. The  goalies will be playing a 5 vs. 5 game in full goalie gear with no one in the net.

So, bring your players out, cheer LOUD and PROUD as your favorite coaches and or goalie take to the ice. There should be lots of laughs from the ice and the stands. 

The referee’s association will be officiating these games and score keeping. Neville video Production is providing the music.   

Opening Ceremonies Schedule:

5:30 - 6:15 PM    Our Goaltenders will take to the Ice and Full gear and play a full game of hockey.   This is incredibly fun for the Goalies and a lot of fun to watch….   Come cheer on your Goaltender as they try and do a player’s job and shoot and score!!!   

6:30 - 7:15 PM -   Opening Ceremonies with Jerry Neville

• Introducing some of our special Players and Officials
• Traditional Drums - Daniel Deranger
• Opening Message from RMWB Mayor Sandy Bowman
• Opening Message from President Steve Schreyer
• Program Sponsor Recognition -  
• Presentation of Volunteer of the Year awards from 2023-2024 season (Last year)
• Singing of O Canada -  Lily Cassell
• Community Give back ( Food Bank )

7:30 PM -        Watch your coaches try to put into action all those skills they have been teaching in a Fun game.

Thank You !

Without the hard work and generosity of many people and businesses, MHW would not be possible. Thank you to all the players, coaches and families for your cooperation and participation.

Thank you to all the players, coaches and families for being mindful of our rules and etiquette. Please always remember your Respect in Sport agreement. These are children, helped by volunteers and it is a game and is meant to be fun.

Special Thanks to the following Local Companies who helped us out this year:

Boston Pizza                                 United Cycle                                

River Valley Boutique                     Second Cup

Rocky Mountain Chocolate             Yogen Fruz