Hockey
Our hockey programs runs from October to March each year. Registration starts with a skate assessment for potential new players and takes place each September.
Let’s hit the ice!
Learn basic hockey skills, like stick handling, passing, and shooting.
Teams of up to 21 participants commit to 20 weekly practices led by coaches, support workers, and volunteers.
Practices include individual and small group skill development, group games, and non-competitive scrimmages.
Participants must have a registered account, an autism diagnosis, and be of the correct age when the program starts.
What you need to know:
Hockey is a unique CAN program, as it extends from October to April (ie. one registration for Fall, Winter & Spring).
It is offered for the following age groups:
- Ages 8-18: Coquitlam, Surrey, and Vancouver
- Ages 16+: Surrey and Vancouver
The season ends in a fun, non-competitive tournament (optional).
- Featuring other adapted teams from across the province
- Additional ‘club-level’ opportunities led by CAN parents/guardians (more below)
Registration takes place in early-September in anticipation of the Fall season.
There is one registration for Fall, Winter & Spring (ie. October to April).
There is a $575 program fee to participate.
The program fee is eligible for AFU. And if the program fee represents a barrier to participation, you can learn more about CAN Fee Assistance.
Please ensure that you fill out our AFU form or CAN Fee Assistance Form before registering.
Participants must attend a mandatory Skate Assessment before enrolment.
This takes place in anticipation of the Fall season.
Hockey participants must possess basic skating skills and be able to skate independently.
These skills are assessed on CAN Skate program report cards.
Participants wear full hockey gear and must provide their own equipment.
An equipment list is emailed to all confirmed hockey participants before the season begins.
From year-to-year, we may be able to secure discounts for CAN participants at local retailers.
Support Provided
Participants receive a high level of support through group instruction delivered by trained staff and dedicated volunteers:
- Onsite Supervisor: Ensures the success of the program as a whole
- Coach: Delivers curriculum and provides group instruction
- Support workers: Adapts instruction to participants, as needed
- Program Assistants and Volunteers: Additional program support
We strive to meet the needs of each participant through parent/caregiver collaboration.
Parents and caregivers can provide basic information about their child’s support needs and abilities through their CAN account.*
During the season, don’t hesitate to speak with coaches and on-site staff about support strategies that work for your child (e.g., visual schedules, first-then boards, token systems, social stories, etc).
*If you would like your child’s personal support worker to accompany them to the program, please email us at info@canucksautism.ca.
Optional: Club-Level Activities
Participants can also engage in additional ‘club-level’ activities, such as additional practices, personalized jerseys, and participation in the annual adapted tournament.
These additional activities take place outside of the scheduled CAN program and must be funded separately by each team.
Fundraising efforts are led by a Club Manager (parent/caregiver volunteer) and supported by a caregiver/parent committee.
Registered participants and families will receive more info on the distinction between the CAN hockey program and optional club-level activities at the beginning of each season.
