ABOUT KIWANIS HOCKEY
Founded in 1968 by Kiwanis member Doug Favell, the Garden City Kiwanis Hockey League supports house divisions for kids and young adults age 3-18. Favell created a novice league upon noticing limited options for children under 11. In its first year, Kiwanis Hockey welcomed more than 100 kids. Now, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, the Garden City Kiwanis Hockey League hosts more than 600 players in St. Catharines.
Since 1973, Kiwanis Hockey games have been played at the Bill Burgoyne Memorial Arena in St. Catharines. Parents enjoy Kiwanis Hockey because most games and practices are played in one location.
Since its inception, Kiwanis Hockey has seen a number of changes, but one thing has remained the same; the name of the game is fun!
LEAGUES
The Garden City Kiwanis Hockey League supports Initiation, Tyke, Novice, Atom, PeeWee, Bantam, and Midget house divisions. In addition to regular games, players can try out to play extra exhibition games and tournaments on Roster Select teams.
Kiwanis hockey provides age-appropriate programming in accordance with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. In Initiation and Tyke divisions, players play modified cross-ice and half-ice games with small nets before transitioning to full-ice. Starting in the 2019-2020 season, Novice players will play half-ice for the first half of the season.
Volunteers and coaches work together to ensure all teams are balanced so that participating children have equal opportunity for fun.
FAMILIES IN NEED
For kids new to hockey or parents that need assistance, Kiwanis Hockey has equipment to borrow. Volunteers and Kiwanis Hockey patrons have graciously donated all Kiwanis equipment. Parents that register children for a goalie position can borrow Kiwanis goalie equipment and receive discounted registration fees.
Our policy at Kiwanis Hockey is unless registration is full, we don’t turn anyone away. That means that if you need assistance paying registration fees, Kiwanis Hockey, St. Catharines Kiwanis Club, Jumpstart or Prokids may be able to help. Revenue from concessions go to families in need so that all kids have an opportunity to play.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Throughout the season, Kiwanis Hockey hosts a number of special events to engage the players and community including:
- Annual Toy and Food Drive and Pancake Breakfast for Community Care helps raise funds for families in need during the holidays.
- Tyke and Novice divisions play mini-games between periods at Niagara IceDogs home games.
- Mystery Goalie: a former or current NHL player plays as masked goalie in a shootout against select Kiwanis Hockey players. Shootout winner gets the opportunity to unmask the goalie and reveal his identity! Previous mystery goalies include Bobby Orr, Don Cherry, Johnny Bower, Jim Schoenfeld, Bobby Hull, Brian Bellows and Doug Favell Jr.
- Fundraising Events: Kiwanis Hockey hosts regular fundraising events in an effort to keep registration costs low. Events include raffles, bingo and a meat fundraiser in partnership with Big Red Meats.
VOLUNTEERS & SPONSORSHIP
Kiwanis Hockey wouldn’t be able to provide opportunities for kids and young adults without the help of volunteers and sponsors. Many of our volunteers grew up playing hockey with Kiwanis and now spend time giving back to their hockey community.
Written for Kiwanis St. Catharines by Kaitlyn Allen
Written for Kiwanis St. Catharines by Kaitlyn Allen