The U6-U9 division is where kids learn to love coming to the rink! Their goal is to learn how to soar like a Thunderbird as they progress through the age groups.
Since the 2018-19 season, our program has been led by Vancouver Hockey School's Derek Popke. We follow a dual approach to maximizing a player's development:
- Skill groups - each player is assigned to a skill group with players of their age that are at a similar skill level
- Teams - for U7, U8 and U9, all players will also be assigned to a team that they will have practices and games with over the season
Goalie development: we are always on the lookout for the next goalie of the future, and they are more often than not found in a player who, at 6 or 7, say they aren't a goalie. And then they try it and they LOVE it! TBirds has all players in U7 and U8 put the pads on at least once over the season, and those that enjoy it can finish out the season on a rotation. We do ask that all U7 and U8 players play as a skater more than goalie as it is critical if they want to play the position later to have a solid base of skating, which is not possible to gain for shorter legs in goal pads. At U9 we still want to see as many players as possible get into the net, but it is no longer required for those that really don't want to. As well, those who want to expand their experience will have more opportunities to play. Goalie training occurs on an opt-in basis for U8 and U9 players in the first half of the season led by ProFormance Goalie School.
For more information, please select the appropriate What to Expect document for your division below.
U6 What to Expect
U7 What to Expect
U8 What to Expect
U9 What to Expect
For the Start of the Season schedule, please select the appropriate document for your division below.
U6 Start of the Season
U7 Start of the Season
U8 Start of the Season
U9 Start of the Season
For Assessment group, please select the appropriate document for your division.
U6 Assessment
U7 Assessment
U8 Assessment
U9 Assessment
Volunteer Roles
We will be looking for parent volunteers to fill a number of roles throughout the balancing process.
- HCSP
- On-ice assistants (certified coaches or on ice volunteers only)
- Dressing room monitors
In addition, we have posted lead or coordinator roles for a number of our in-season programs such as our Career Mentorship Program, Players Giving Back program and many others. We would love to be able to offer all of these and many more programs this year but we need help to do so. Log into the volunteer portal here to look through the options and help us make TBirds even better!
Ordering Apparel:
Please visit https://www.vancouvertbirds.ca/resources/tbirds-apparel/
Questions?
Please contact Audrey White at awhite@vancouvertbirds.ca
Skill Development
TBirds, through the Vancouver Hockey School, and opt-in programs & ProFormance Goalie School offer a variety of a full skill development program.
Hockey 101
If you are new to the sport of hockey, these resources will help you understand the basics.
Parent Participation
Our parents are our most valuable resource and we want everyone to enjoy their experience - players, parents & team staff.
2021-22 Parent Meetings – All Divisions
Over the past couple of weeks, our Board of Directors overseeing the U6-U9, Recreational and Rep divisions have held parent information meetings to provide an overview of the upcoming season. Thank you to the 487 parents that tuned into the meetings live! For those that weren’t able to join, the meetings were recorded and the…
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Virtual Town Hall – July 16
The July town hall was about honouring some amazing volunteers and graduating players along with providing some information around what has been happening behind the scenes during the past four months. While we won’t have the full information on the upcoming season just yet, we wanted everyone to have an understanding of where we have…
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