House League FAQs / Information for Parents / Guardians
Thank you for considering the London Devilettes Girls Hockey Association (LDGHA) for your athlete’s hockey program. LDGHA is a volunteer run hockey organization and is aligned with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA). We strive to provide a safe and fun experience for your athlete where they can develop to their full potential. This document is intended to answer some of the basic questions that you may have if your family is considering joining the LDGHA.
1) What ages do you offer house league hockey?
This is generally from age 5 to 20 (some start at 4 years of age), based upon their age as of Dec 31st when registering. We offer hockey programs within the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U18 and U22 divisions. We merge the minors and majors in each age division. Minors are lower of the 2 age groups while majors are the older of the 2 age groups in each division. Each division will consist of several teams.
Note: U18 aged players can register for U22 (in order to play with siblings/friends etc.) and both U18 and U22 play in the same league all year.
2) How do we register?
Register your athlete on the LDGHA website via the RAMP registration system. The RAMP system will ask for some details about you/your athlete including contact information (address, email, phone), athlete’s birth date/name/position (goalie/player). You will need to electronically sign a code of conduct and review and electronically sign the Rowan’s Law concussion policy and pay for the registration fees within the RAMP system.
Register here: London DGHA : RAMP Registrations
3) Where are the arenas? What days do we play / practice?
The arenas are throughout London and will be assigned by the city based on ice time demand from all hockey associations. As the LDGHA is a citywide program, the arenas are not in one specific area of the city. In past years, for the HL program, LDGHA has been assigned Argyle arena, Western Fair Sportsplex, and Bostwick to name a few. We cannot take requests for arena location. In some divisions there may be local travel for league games (St. Thomas, Lucan, Woodstock, St. Mary’s). This travel will be approximately every other week for away games. In the past this local travel has provided an opportunity to play in league where there are enough teams to provide some diversity of opponents. For example, if a LDGHA division only has enough registered athletes to field 2 or 3 teams that division (e.g., U15) can play with other local house league teams.
Days and times for practices will be set as soon as the city assigns the ice time. As soon as LDGHA is aware of the days and times for each division they will be posted on the website. We cannot take player requests for days / times for ice allocation.
Ice times by division for upcoming 2023/2024 season include (subject to change):
4) What equipment is required?
Your athlete will need full hockey equipment, including hockey skates and gloves, a CSA approved caged or full visor helmet, neck guard, shoulder and elbow pads, shin guards, hockey pants, hockey socks, jill, hockey stick. A mouth guard is recommended. Properly fitted hockey equipment is essential to ensure your athlete is properly protected on the ice. Please visit a business that can assist with sizing if you are unsure how the equipment should fit, such as Source for Sports on of our partners.
It is advised that you have a jersey/pair of hockey socks as well to start the season if this is your first-time playing hockey and do not have prior jerseys/socks to utilize. Athletes will be provided with a jersey and socks once teams are selected.
5) Does my athlete need to know how to skate?
For U7, it is recommended that your athlete has been on skates, on ice, and is comfortable in their equipment prior to their first session. Skating instruction is part of the program.
For U9 and up, it is recommended that your athlete be able to skate forward and stop, and has attempted to skate backwards. If your athlete is new to skating, additional hockey development or power skating lessons are recommended. The LDGHA will provide an optional hockey development program, at an additional cost and time, for HL (House League) athletes who are interested. Coaches will work with all athletes at all levels of play to help them develop and have fun!
6) What are the fees associated with HL Hockey?
Registration fees are paid to LDGHA and team fees are paid to the team directly. These team fees will vary for each team.
Registration fees are set by and paid to the association via the online RAMP registration system. This registration fee includes ice time, referee fees for league games, and insurance. These are examples of what the registration fee covers. This registration fee is different for various teams primarily due to the differences in ice time.
Team fees in HL are modest and will be collected by the team head coach. These fees are over and above the registration fee and includes additional uniform costs (name bars for jerseys, about $10) and other miscellaneous team expenses if required. These expenses will be explained to the parents at the beginning of the season.
7) What is the commitment?
Head Coaches make a huge time commitment to their team and hope that the HL athletes make an effort to commit to the scheduled ice times. Usually, there are two ice times per week of one hour each ice time. For most age levels there is a practice and a game each week, for the older age groups (e.g., U21) there are two games per week and no practices. Please let the head coach know as soon as possible if your athlete cannot attend a game or practice.
House league teams can register for tournaments and usually register for 1-3 tournaments per season. The LDGHA Tournament is a mandatory tournament for all eligible LDGHA teams, and they must register; this tournament is usually the first weekend in February. The coach may register teams for 1 or 2 away tournaments that may require some travel of and overnight hotel stays. If your athlete cannot attend a tournament, you need to inform the coach as soon as possible.
Parents need to commit to the team, in addition to supporting your athlete’s commitment, the coach needs all families to help run the off-ice aspects of managing a hockey team. Be prepared to volunteer to assist the team. Parents are needed to do the following: assistant coaches, trainers, dressing room moms, home game day support (timekeeper/score keeper), social event organizer. All teams must have multiple volunteers to assist with the LDGHA tournament(s). All Volunteers working with the athletes must complete the Respect In Sport for Activity Leaders and submit a Vulnerable Sectors Check with your municipality, (see LDGHA web site for policy/process details).
For London residents, you may go to this link: https://www.londonpolice.ca/en/services/Vulnerable-Sector-Check.aspx
8) Who are the Head Coaches?
The head coaches are volunteers and must adhere to OWHA guidelines for training courses specific to the level they are coaching. They also take mandatory training programs to ensure a safe environment for your athlete.
9) I'm interested in Coaching a House League Team; how can I get involved?
If you are interested in being involved in Coaching/Assistant Coaching or taking on another role on a House League team, please complete the House League Coaching Application by September 5th , 2023. This is found on the London Devilettes website or follow the link below:
https://londondevilettes.ca/Forms/2218/House_League_Coaching_and_Volunteer_Application_2022_2023_Season/?scrollto=0
10) How are teams selected?
For U9 and up, there a will be 2-3 evaluation sessions at the beginning of the season. After the last session, the athletes will be placed on teams by the head coaches and convenors using the results of the evaluation sessions. The coaches will select teams in manner that ensures the teams are balanced across the division to the best of their abilities. Each team will have players with various levels of hockey skill and experience. This is intended to make the teams even in skill set. Requests to be on the same team as a friend or family member may be made to the division convener or house league director, but LDGHA do not guarantee these requests can be accommodated.
11) What is the season structure and timing?
Ø Registration typically opens late spring or early summer.
Ø Evaluations usually occur late September or early October with teams selected early October.
Ø Regular season commences early October and proceeds to late February or early March.
Ø Playoffs for U9 and above start late February or early March and conclude at the end of March.
Ø There will be a few blackout dates throughout the season when the arenas are booked for other events.
Ø There will be a break around Christmas time as the arenas are not operating.
12) When does the House League Season Start? Convenors from each division will be in touch shortly about the start up of the season.
This is a brief explanation of common questions. You are encouraged to review the website and the documents on the website for detailed information.