First Shift Program

Launched in 2012, Grow the Game is a global initiative to add 1 million new players the game of hockey by 2022, with Canada serving as the starting point of those efforts. Hockey in Canada has experienced historically low participation growth rates over the last few years, and today approximately 90% of Canadian families and their children choose not to play hockey.

The goal is to change the way hockey is offered. Because we believe in all that hockey has to offer kids, their families and our community, First Shift, and it’s follow-along, Second Shift, have been designed to break down barriers to entry by offering a program that is accessible, affordable, and most importantly, FUN

The Mississauga Hockey League, in partnership with Bauer and Hockey Canada, has offered this program since 2014. Starting in the 2019-2020 season, First Shift has been offered by our 6 Area Association partners (Applewood, Erindale, Heartland, Lorne Park Clarkson, Meadowvale and Port Credit). For 2022-24, the Area Associations will again be offering the First Shift program across Mississauga. Details are outlined below and registration, commencing on June 1st, 2023, can be done at https://www.firstshift.ca/locations/on/.

	Applewood Coyotes	Erindale Spitfires	Heartland Dragons	Lorne Park Clarkson Wild	Meadowvale Hawks	Port Credit Storm
Welcome Event	Sat Oct 14, 2023	Sat Oct 14, 2023	Sat Oct 14, 2023	Sun Oct 15, 2023	Sun Oct 15, 2023	Sun Oct 15, 2023
	11:00am	3:00pm	1:00pm	1:00pm	Time tba	Time tba
	Tomken Arena	Tomken Arena	Tomken Arena	Tomken Arena	Tomken Arena	Tomken Arena
On-Ice Sessions (6 in total)	Oct 28/29 – Dec 2/3	Oct 28/29 – Dec 2/3	Oct 28/29 – Dec 2/3	Oct 28/29 – Dec 2/3	Oct 28/29 – Dec 2/3	Oct 28/29 – Dec 2/3
Time	tba	tba	tba	tba	tba	4:00pm
Venue Name	tba	Erin Mills Twin Arena	Paramount Fine Foods Centre	Clarkson Arena	Meadowvale 4-Rinks	Huron Park Arena
Venue Address	tba	3205 Unity Dr.	5500 Rose Cherry Place	2475 Truscott Dr.	2160 Torquay Mews	830 Paisley Blvd. W.

Cost for the program is $299 and includes a full set of equipment (from Bauer), and six weeks of on-ice training.

The Welcome Event (as referenced above) is very important to attend as this is when your child will be fitted for, and receive his or her equipment. It’s also an opportunity to meet some folks from Hockey Canada, Bauer, and the MHL Area Association who will be putting on the on-ice sessions for your players.

So, if you have a child (or know a child), aged 6-10, who might be interested in giving hockey a try, has never played organized hockey before, and you’re a Mississauga resident, let’s get you signed up!

And in case you’re wondering, yes, we do offer a “Second Shift” program for those players who wish to continue-on after First Shift. Second Shift is a transitional program that builds on the skills learned in First Shift and prepares the player to join our League. Details re Second Shift will be provided during the First Shift program.

Further details re the First Shift program can be found at firstshift.ca.

First Shift Program

Archives