Skating

This program focuses on hockey skating foundations, improving players skating tools such as explosive power, quickness in stride, edges and weight transfer to ensure players are balanced and agile. Once players master their hockey posture and body mechanics their edge quality, stride and movement becomes quicker, more powerful, stable and less tiring. As body positioning improves, the players overall speed, power & transition game will improve. Progressive drills with immediate correction will touch on all aspects of skating and puck skill development with concentration on efficient techniques. Coaches are NCCP certified and highly experienced in both elite hockey and world level figure skating.

This program is suitable for participants who are registered and currently participating in a hockey program at the Rep level. Players must be able to skate the length of the ice with speed, and have backwards skating ability.

CSA-approved full hockey equipment, including CSA-approved hockey helmet with facemask and hockey stick are mandatory.

This program does not include child-care. Parents are responsible for the supervision and whereabouts of their children at all times. Children under 10 must be supervised by an adult over 14 years of age, who remains within the rink enclosure for the duration of the program. Parents are not permitted on the ice.

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For skating lessons, required equipment includes:

• Ice Skates
  • Hockey skates are preferred for beginners;
  • Ensure skates are sharpened prior to first use;
  • BOB skates are not permitted.
• CSA-Approved hockey helmet
  • Bicycle, snowboarding, BMX and other types of helmets are not permitted for skating;
  • A full face mask (an accessory attached to the hockey helmet) is strongly recommended but not required.
• Warm Clothing
  • Waist length jacket (long jackets are not recommended);
  • Warm pants or snow pants;
  • Mittens are required.

Skating Lessons Equipment Guide

For power skating and private hockey lessons, CSA-approved full hockey equipment, including CSA-approved hockey helmet with facemask and hockey stick are mandatory.

A great way to stay active and enjoy a great Canadian Sport in a recreational, pick-up format. Our very popular Shinny programs are offered in various age groups.  Shinny is an un-supervised (no referees), non-contact program and is based on a first come first served basis (capacities do apply).  Program staff are on-site to help facilitate for child and youth shinnies. On-line pre-registration is available.  Full hockey equipment and CSA approved helmet is required.  

Pre-registration is required for all Youth Shinnies. Drop-ins are welcome, if space permits, but players must register at the Customer Service Desk. 

All Youth Shinny participants must have a RecConnect account.

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Work on fundamental hockey skills in this friendly, no contact environment.  Parents and/or coaches can attend with a child and both must register and pay admission fee or purchase a pass.  Children must attend with an adult and be supervised. Full hockey equipment and CSA approved helmet is required for the "player" and coaches and parents must wear a helmet and appropriate equipment to supervise children on the ice.  

To encourage participation, the use of Personal Assistive Mobility Device (PAMD) is allowed at all public access programs (unless otherwise stated).  

The following will be observed in order to ensure participant safety and enjoyment:

•  ​It is strongly recommended participants using PAMD's
• Wear a CSA certified hockey helmet with full facemask; and
• Ensure that their equipment does not interfere with other programs, participants, or impact the safety of others
• Parents/Guardians/Support Persons are responsible for all participant transfers, as they are the most familiar with the individual’s physical conditions and proper methods of handling and carrying. Staff are not permitted to transfer participants.

Note: Chairs, hockey sticks, strollers, toboggans and other such equipment/devices are not to be used as a PAMD.

To assist skaters in the beginning stages of development, skate aids may be available/permitted during Public Skates.

The following will be enforced in order to ensure participant safety and enjoyment:

1. ​Participants using skate aids must wear a CSA certified hockey helmet with full facemask.
2. Participants may use their own skate aids provided that:
• ​The device is a manufactured skate aid (eg. homemade teaching aids are prohibited);
• The skate aid does not damage the ice surface, have sharp edges, and/or be an obvious hazard; and
• Patrons are responsible for the safety and security of their own equipment.

• Children under ten (10) years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age, who remains within visual contact with the participant.
• Children ten (10) years of age and older do not require supervision.
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified hockey helmets and full face cages are required for all shinny participants who are under the age of 18. Over 18 participants must wear Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified hockey helmets, however they are not required to wear a full face cage, but it is strongly recommended.​
• Full hockey equipment mandatory for all shinny participants.
• ​Slap shots and body checking are strictly prohibited.​​
• Participants are not permitted on the ice while the ice resurfacer is in operation.
• Private lessons/coaching on the ice surface is strictly prohibited.
• Single blade skates are the only type of footwear permitted on the ice.
• Spectators are only permitted in designated viewing areas.
• All accidents or injuries must be reported to staff immediately.
• Participants with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by individuals knowledgeable of their condition and responsible for their direct supervision.​​​​​

Pre-registration is required for all Youth Shinnies. Drop-ins are welcome, if space permits, but players must register at the Customer Service Desk. 

All Youth Shinny participants must have a RecConnect account.

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The following are the general admission standards that apply to all Drop-In Public Skate programs:

Participants under the age of ten (10) must be under the direct supervision of a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age:

• ​Parents/guardians must maintain visual contact with those they are supervising and remain in the arena enclosure at all times.
• CSA approved hockey helmets and full facemasks are strongly recommended for all skating participants.
• Single blade skates are the only type of footwear permitted on the ice..
• Participants with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by individuals knowledgeable of their condition and responsible for their direct supervision

• No skating backwards or performing figure skating maneuvers.
• No skating against the flow of other skaters.
• No skating erratically or excessive speeds.
• No standing idle on the boards.