FAQ'S
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Return to Play: When do we return to hockey?
Updates on returning to play are made in accordance with government regulations and guidelines. Registered Junior Tigers families will be informed about skating and hockey sessions via individual program WhatsApp groups. If you are not currently on the program WhatsApp group, please contact [email protected] The schedules have also been updated on the corresponding program pages as of 4 Sept 2020.
Return to Play: What safety measure do the Junior Tigers have in place for when players return to the rink?
The health and safety of our community is our top priority. The Junior Tigers Safety Guidelines are applicable to all players, family members, helpers, staff and coaches. The Safety Guidelines will be distributed to registered players and their families on the WhatsApp Groups prior to the start of each program.
Return to Play: What measures are the ice rinks taking to ensure the health and safety of participants while at the rink?
In addition to our Junior Tigers Safety Guidelines, individual ice rinks may have additional safety requirements. Once we receive notification from rink management, families will be informed through our program WhatsApp groups.
Return to Play: What happens if ice times are cancelled?
If the ice rink is closed, all sessions cancelled during the closure will be rescheduled. All updates on scheduling and make-up sessions will be announced via our program WhatsApp groups.
Return to Play: I am not receiving updates and information on WhatsApp. What should I do?
When registering for a Junior Tigers program, contact information for both parents is required. We use this contact information to set up our program WhatsApp groups. If you are not receiving updates please contact [email protected]
1. What programs do you offer and who are they best suited for?
The Junior Tigers offers a number of different programs to suit all ages and abilities. Our team is able to offer advice on what program would best suit your child. Please get in touch with us at [email protected] to book a complimentary consultation. Please send your child's skating or hockey videos for review by our coaching staff. Generally speaking, the Junior Tigers offers a few different streams of programs:
Learn to Skate: for beginners learning to skate and for players who want to further focus on their skating skills.
Learn to Play: introductory programs to learn the basics on how to play hockey.
Scotiabank Island League: put all the skills learned in Learn to Skate and Learn to Play in action with our popular league. Players of all abilities are welcome and each player receives equal playing time.
Greater Bay Hockey League: an elite travel league with players competing in Shenzhen against teams from Southern China. Players must also take part in the weekly team practice for this league.
Tournaments and Camps: a number of different tournaments and camps during holiday periods and at other select periods during the season. These camps and tournaments are a great way to work on a skill intensely over a short period of time or participate in a fun regional tournament.
2. How many programs should my child sign up for?
We generally recommend at least two programs a week to see steady improvement (one training and one game), but many children do more - especially skating and edgework. Please see our guidelines below. More hockey equals more fun! Please get in touch with us at [email protected] for a complimentary consultation from one of our coaches.
RECREATIONAL STREAM - 1 practice and 1 game
U7 Age Group - Monday afternoon and Saturday morning
U9 Age Group - Sunday morning U9 League and Monday night LTP U9 Practice
Speak to U9 Program Coordinator / Senior Coach David Belluche or Melissa Deplaedt about what is best for your child.
U11 Age Group - Tuesday afternoon with additional options
The practice structure allows players to play up an age group on same evening or join an elite class on Monday.
Speak to U11 Program Coordinator/Senior Coach Whitney Olsen or Melissa Deplaedt about what is best for your child.
U13 Age Group - Tuesday night with additional options
U11 Top Shelf - www.juniortigershockey.com/elite-hockey/cihl-top-shelf-u11-2020-21 OR
We understand school is more important at this age and as result we have created additional options. Both a game and practice can be incorporated on a Tuesday evening either back-to-back hours with a 10 minute ice clean break or one game and practice over a 3 hours span.
Speak to U13 Program Coordinator / Senior Coach Devin Welsh or Melissa Deplaedt about what is best for your child.
COMPETETIVE STREAM – 2+ practice and 2 league games
PRACTICE: U9 Top Shelf - www.juniortigershockey.com/elite-hockey/cihl-top-shelf-u9-2020-21
PRACTICE: U11 Top Shelf - www.juniortigershockey.com/elite-hockey/cihl-top-shelf-u11-2020-21
PRACTICE U13/18 Top Shelf - www.juniortigershockey.com/elite-hockey/cihl-top-shelf-u18-2020-21
Speak to Junior Tigers Head Coach and Top Shelf Program Coordinator Ben MacAskill or Junior Tigers Co-Founder Gregory Smyth about what is best and most beneficial for your child.
3. How old does my child need to be to start?
We welcome kids from age 4 and suitable programs for that age group would be our Learn to Skate and Kerry Cubs U7 programs. Both of these programs can work together, but to join the Kerry Cubs, children need to have a minimum of one year of skating experience. Please contact us directly if unsure whether your child meets the prerequisites for Kerry Cubs U7.
4. My child is 10 and has never skated before. Is this club only for children who start early?
No, the Junior Tigers welcomes players of all ages and abilities. We provide introductory programming for kids of all ages – it is never too late to start – and we pride ourselves on creating a fun environment for kids to develop a passion for the sport. If your child hasn’t skated before, you would be looking at the Learn to Skate program, but please also get in touch with us at [email protected] and we can provide some guidance on what would best suit your child.
5. How do I register?
The Junior Tigers accepts registrations only online. Please go to our website www.juniortigershockey.com/registration to register. Please note that all registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority for existing Junior Tigers players.
6. What is your refund policy?
We are unable to offer refunds for non-participation. As a not-for-profit organization, the Junior Tigers budget is based on initial registrations and our most significant cost – ice-time – is paid well in advance of the start of the season.
Our full Terms and Conditions can be found here at www.juniortigershockey.com/terms-conditions
Our full Release and Waiver can be found here at www.juniortigershockey.com/waiver
Refunds will only be issued if the China Hockey Group cancels the program. If your child registers for a program and does not meet eligibility (for example age or prerequisites), we will first look at suitable alternatives. If in doubt, please also get in touch with us at [email protected] and we can provide guidance on what would best suit your child. In the event that this is not possible, we will offer a refund (pro rata and less a 10 per cent administration charge).
7. Does my child need to wear full hockey equipment? Where can I buy gear?
Yes. A full equipment list is available for review online at www.juniortigershockey.com/shop. You are welcome to source gear from a number of retailers and the China Hockey Group also has a dedicated showroom and online shop, staffed by hockey experts who will be pleased to guide you through the process. You can find details to the Showroom here: www.chghockeyshop.com The Showroom is open Mondays through Fridays from 10-6 pm and by appointment on Saturday afternoon. You can book an appointment here: www.chghockeyshop.com/pages/contact-us
8. How does the Junior Tigers communicate with parents throughout the season?
The Junior Tigers was founded by parents, so we know how busy everything can get. The history of Junior Tigers can be found at www.juniortigershockey.com/our-values
Our schedules are found on our website and we are careful not to schedule any regular programming during normal holiday periods. Each program (training or league) also has a dedicated Parent Communication WhatsApp Group. If you are not a part of this WhatsApp group please see your group’s parent coordinator or talk to the coaches next time you see them.
Please download the Junior Tigers App at the Apple App store - type Junior Tigers and download App for our Island League game schedule. Please download the GBHL App at the Apple App store - type GBHL and download App or go to the GBHL website www.greaterbayhockeyleague.com for GBHL games.
9. What safety measures do you have in place?
All players are taught from an early age proper hockey hygiene and we ask parents to help enforce this as well. We do not recommend sharing hockey gear and please ensure that your child has all required gear before leaving the house. Good hygiene also means that all participants have their own water bottles (we ask for bottles with a tip). Do not share water bottles and make sure your child’s bottle is labeled clearly. Due to Coronavirus, enhanced safety guidelines have been implemented and distributed through program Whatsapp groups.
10. My child is sick and can’t attend. Do you have a make-up policy?
We appreciate you keeping your child away from the ice when sick and thank you for being pro-active. We are, however, generally unable to offer make-up lessons. Our programs are often full and run on a strict coach-to-player ratio to ensure all players receive individual attention. As such it is often not possible to accommodate extra players on the ice. Please get in touch with us at [email protected] to discuss any concerns.
11. Who are your coaches?
Our coaching team is led by Ben MacAskill, who played at the highest level of Major Junior hockey in Canada with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He arrived in Hong Kong after he completed his Bachelor and Masters degrees at Dalhousie University, where he played on the Varsity hockey team for five years. Ben also has an extensive coaching background and was selected to be part of the CHG’s Intern Program.
All of our coaches are experienced CIHL, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and Junior Hockey players interning in Hong Kong, all who have extensive coaching experience. The Junior Tigers is also fortunate to have a number of specialist advisors.
Our NHL Professional Advisor is Brad Smyth, a former NHL Player and the owner and head instructor of the NHL Alumni Camps and Clinics. He works with our coaching team on a regular basis to oversee the Junior Tigers curriculum and programming.
You can read more about the Junior Tigers coaching team at
12. How does the new age group structure impact my selection of programs for the 2020-21 season?
The Junior Tigers has ratified age division names changes for all programs in line with IIHF and Hockey Canada. The changes create a simpler and more consistent reference for parents registering their children.
PLEASE NOTE - only the names will change. Actual divisions remain consistent with past seasons. We will continue to make player age group exceptions where appropriate - e.g. skill level, schedule or siblings playing together.
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