Hockey Canada is excited to launch a new program titled "Puck Drop '07". PD'07 will take place September 8 - October 14, 2007 and is replacing Hockey Canada Week which traditionally ran the first week in November.
Puck Drop ’07 is a national initiative lead by Hockey Canada with participation from its 13 provincial Branches, minor hockey associations and partners to celebrate the start of the 2007-2008 hockey season! Each year 550,000 registered players’ lace up the skates to participate in hockey in Canada. In fact on an annual basis Hockey Canada welcomes close to 80,000 new participants including players, coaches and officials.
Starting on September 8 and running through October 14, 2007 Puck Drop ’07 will bring the game to life for all participants with a series of themed weeks, great prizes and contests.
The ice has been flooded, the water bottles are filled, the laces are tied – it is time for Puck Drop ’07.
WEEKLY THEMES During each week of Puck Drop ’07 Hockey Canada will focus on a specific aspect of the game in Canada. Select one of the theme weeks below to find out more details.
September 8-16: Hockey Volunteer Week Each year a quarter of a million volunteers assist in the administration of the game in our country. Hockey Canada wants to recognize these volunteers for their countless hours and provide information to volunteers to support their hockey activities. During Volunteer Week, Hockey Canada will kick off the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program. As well, Hockey Canada will partner with the Toronto Maple Leafs to offer volunteer coaches the opportunity to help each other and learn from the best at Maple Leafs Coaching Day. Check www.hockeycanada.ca/puckdrop07 for resources to support volunteer managers, coaches and administrators during this time.
September 17-23: Coaching Week
Coaches, do you need more support to effectively work with your team this season? During Puck Drop ’07 Coaching Week return to www.hockeycanada.ca/puckdrop07 for drills from the Under-18 camp, new coaching resources and much more. Check your branch link on this page for clinics occurring in your area or volunteer to assist at a Hockey Canada Super Skills Camp. Over 80,000 volunteer coaches support the development of players each year in Canada – during Puck Drop ’07 Coaching Week we salute you.
September 24-30: Goaltending Week Puck Drop ’07 stops here…at least temporarily for Goaltending Week. Whether you are a beginner goaltender, seasoned veteran or just a fan Goaltending Week has something for you. Are you an artist at heart? Check back at www.hockeycanada.ca/puckdrop07 during Goaltending Week to enter the Itech Design-a-Mask contest. Learn more about the goaltending equipment changes for 2008-2009 or register for a goaltender-only clinic during Puck Drop ’07 Goaltending Week.
October 1-7 Officiating Week
So you look good in stripes eh? Join the close to 35,000 hockey officials in Canada to celebrate Officiating Week during Puck Drop ’07. Check your branch link on this page for clinics occurring in your area, view video clips on the Rules Emphasis for 2007-2008 or learn more about the Officiating Summit during the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championship. There is no grey area here – Puck Drop ’07 Officiating Week will celebrate Hockey Canada’s great on-ice officials.
October 8-14: Facilities Week
Did you know that only 27% of the arenas in Canada were built in the last 25 years? Did you know that 45% of arenas in Canada are already beyond their life expectancy? Puck Drop ’07 Facilities Week is a commemoration of the facilities that have developed millions of players over the last century, along with a peek into the future of what the outlook is for facilities in Canada.
More information is available on the Hockey Canada website at
www.hockeycanada.ca/puckdrop07.