Hockey Instructional Classes For Youth
Learn the fundamentals of the game, or develop your skills for your next game!
Class options for beginners to elite levels.
Give yourself the edge!
Learn to play hockey with us!
Under the supervision of head instructor Coach Sean, our hockey instructional programs are designed to teach the fundamentals of the sport while challenging players in each class. Our classes focus on different themes and ability levels — check them out!
Class sizes
Our class sizes are limited to make sure all players have room to move safely on the ice and get the attention they need to grow.
Designed for all ages
We believe players can learn at any age! From preschoolers in Tots Hockey to tweens and older in our Intro to Game Play class, players can develop their skills with their peers.
Experienced instructors
Coach Sean, Matt, Mark & Josh have over two decades of teaching experience, and their dedication to teaching kids means all players will get the support they need!
Learning is fun!
We believe players learn best when they’re having fun! We use games to teach the fundamentals of hockey, and make sure kids leave the ice with a smile on their face every week!
Progressive levels
Our programs are aimed at different skill levels and build upon each other, so that players can move to the class that meets their development level.
Varied class times
Our programs run nearly every day of the week, so you’re sure to find a class that suits your family’s needs. Since our classes are at a set time every week, you’ll easily be able to plan your schedule for the week.
Our classes
Find the right class for you!
Click on the class descriptions below to find the class that best meets your needs.
This program is designed to introduce children from the ages of 4 to 6 to hockey.
Players receive progressive instruction in the important skills and fundamentals of hockey in an easy-to-learn game-based format, while having lots of fun!
Instruction is aimed at experienced skaters who are ready to move onto the next challenge!
Please note this program is designed for children who are already comfortably pushing and gliding on the ice and have basic stopping abilities. This is not intended for beginners who have little or no skating experience. Beginner skaters should instead see our Learn to Skate program.
Beginner
This class is aimed at experienced skaters who want to get started in hockey.
Players registered in this class should already know how to push and glide comfortably, stop, skate backwards, turn, and above all, want to develop new skills!
Prerequisite: Learn to Skate Level 2 passed and their instructor’s recommendation or equivalent required to register for this class.
Intermediate
This class is for more advanced players who are already at ease with hockey basics and want to push their skills to the next level.
Participants in this class should have already completed the Beginner/Intermediate class or equivalent, or already play in an organized hockey league and want to complement their training.
Prerequisite: Tots Hockey Beginner passed and their instructor’s recommendation or equivalent required to register for this class.
This comprehensive program is designed to improve all aspects of a player’s game.
Players receive progressive instruction in the important skills and fundamentals of hockey, including skating, puck control, shooting, offensive plays and conditioning.
Instruction is tailored to players at all levels of development.
Beginner/Intermediate
This class is aimed at experienced skaters who want to get started in hockey.
Players registered in this class should already know how to push and glide comfortably, stop, skate backwards, turn, and above all, want to develop new skills!
Prerequisite: Learn to Skate Level 2 passed and their instructor’s recommendation or equivalent required to register for this class.
Intermediate/Advanced
This class is for more advanced players who are already at ease with hockey basics and want to push their skills to the next level.
Participants in this class should have already completed the Beginner/Intermediate class or equivalent, or already play in an organized hockey league and want to complement their training.
Participants in this class should have already completed the Beginner/Intermediate class or equivalent, or already play in an organized hockey league and wish to complement their training.
This program is aimed at experienced skaters who want to learn the basics of hockey game play in a fun setting!
Please note that these classes are for children with advanced skating skills. Beginner skaters should consult our Learn to Skate schedule.
Fun Hockey
This course will focus on the fundamentals of hockey in a fun and challenging format. Power skating, puck control, passing and shooting will be included followed by a hockey scrimmage with coaching tips during the second half of the class.
Prerequisite: This class is intended for Beginner & intermediate hockey levels. This class is not suitable for beginner skaters.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate hockey skills
Skill Development & Game
This course will be based on splitting development and game equally. Development will include power skating drills (acceleration, edge control and transitional skating), stick handling drills (fakes, dekes and puck protection) and shooting drills (wrist shot, backhand, snap shot and slap shot). The game will be a 3 on 3 format with positioning and coaching tips.
Prerequisite : This class is aimed at skaters with advanced skating skills and some hockey experience (e.g. have previously taken a Tots Hockey or Total Hockey class). This class is not suitable for new players (those with no hockey experience) or players currently playing at a beginner level.
Level : Intermediate
These specialized hockey classes target multiple aspects of the game!
These clinics offer players specific training, whether it’s power skating, defence maneuvers, or challenging drills for more advanced players.
These classes are taught by our head instructor Sean Tilley.
Power Skating & Puck Control
This program is designed to improve and enhance your skating and puck-handling skills.
All important skating dynamics are taught, including balance, backward skating, crossovers, edge control and acceleration techniques.
The program will also focus on maintaining speed and agility while in control of the puck.
Players will develop a more explosive and powerful stride, learn how to use their edges to generate speed, and improve transitional skating including forward and backward pivots. Improving speed with the puck will also be a focus.
Prerequisite: Learn to Skate level 3 passed or equivalent* required to register for this class.
(* e.g. Total Hockey class, current player in a hockey association, etc.)
Shooting & Stickhandling
Here is what players can expect to work on in this class:
Stickhandling: Focus on wrist roll, hand extension, and flexibility in order to improve and enhance skills such as; toe drags, fakes, and puck protection.
Shooting: Focus on proper hand placement, weight transfer and follow-through to improve power and accuracy. Wrist shots, snap shots, slap shots, backhands and one-timers will be covered.
Prerequisite: Previous participation in a Total Hockey class or equivalent or recent participation in a hockey association is mandatory.
Prenovice Elite Clinic
Next Wave Training
This course is designed for advanced 1st and 2nd year Prenovice players.
Each class will include power skating, puck handling drills followed by a short game at the end of each training session.
This class targets players who currently play in a hockey league.
Novice Elite Clinic
Next Wave Training
This course is designed for advanced 1st and 2nd year Novice players.
Each class will include power skating, puck handling drills followed by a short game at the end of each training session.
This class targets players who currently play in a hockey league at a Novice A calibre or higher.
FALL 2024
Class Schedule
Our Fall 2024 class schedules will be available on our registration portal!
General registration will begin online on August 26, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
REGISTER ONLINE
Signing up is easy!
Prerequisites may be required for some courses for online registration.
If you do not have the necessary prerequisites, please contact us to determine the correct level for your child. We can then add the necessary prerequisite to your account before registration begins.
How to reach us
Required equipment
Full hockey equipment required for all participants
Including helmet with full face protection, gloves, neck guard and jock/jill strap
Learn more about choosing your equipment by reading this article on our blog!
Want to know more?
Frequently Asked Questions
Must read
Registration Waiver
You must accept the terms of the waiver when registering online to complete purchases.
You can also download the form here and email it to lori@excellentice-kirkland .com
Please read carefully
By completing your registration, you assume the responsibility of ensuring you respect safety and social distancing protocols issued by the government of Quebec and Excellent Ice Kirkland. If you have any illness symptoms, you cannot attend your activity. Excellent Ice Kirkland is under no obligation to offer refunds or credits for missed classes.
All players are responsible for ensuring that they follow the safety guidelines put into place by Excellent Ice Kirkland. Each player is responsible for following the facility rules. Failure to comply with these directives will result in the immediate removal from the facility.
All participants (including coaches and instructors) must always wear a CSA approved hockey helmet and skates on the ice. Contracts must be signed prior to ice times.
By registering in our program, you assume the risks associated with participation in sporting activities and waive the right to claim damages from Excellent Ice.
Persons using these facilities do so at their own risk. The owner and operator of these facilities, EXCELLENT ICE (KIRKLAND) PRO LTD., its directors and employees shall not be responsible for any loss or injury occurring in connection with the usage of these facilities. The users agree to waive and release EXCELLENT ICE (KIRKLAND) PRO LTD., its lessees, directors, and employees from all claims for loss or injury however caused that may occur while using these facilities, including claims for loss and injury that may be caused or contributed to by the negligence of EXCELLENT ICE (KIRKLAND) PRO LTD., its lessees, directors, or employees.
The signed assumes all risk of personal injury or damage that may result in my participation. They hereby waive any claims to which they may become entitled for injury or damages and release EXCELLENT ICE (KIRKLAND) PRO LTD., its directors, owners, organizers and all staff or employees of any liability for injury or damage which they may sustain while participating.