Lightning Season 9- Plan AHEAD

Aug. 18, 2025

Greetings Lightning Families, Players, Staff and Volunteers,

As we gear up for our 9th Lightning year of operation, COLGHA wishes to thank everyone for their ongoing support of girls and women in sport and hockey!

COLGHA is very busy behind the scenes planning for the 2025-26 season. Please stay up to date on all Lightning news by visiting our social media sites, website and checking your emails.

Season 9 Motto! “Teach girls to be BRAVE not perfect”.

Lightning Season 9 - Quick Highlights

Registration: Closes August 31st (U7 closes September 30th)
Coaching: U9HL Head Coach/Co-Coaches needed.
U9 Program: No U9 Rep team this season - focus on House League.
Senior: Senior B Tryouts open (deadline Aug 31). Senior C to follow.
First Shift: First Shift registration open (girls 6-10yr new to hockey).
DS Teams: U11, U13 & U15 Development Stream (DS) offered this season.
Volunteers: All staff must complete updated certification requirements ASAP.
Evaluations: HL evaluations start Sept 4th. Games begin Oct 4/5.
Schedules: September ice posted; full schedule coming soon.
Skill Development: Liz Manley joins Lightning across all divisions.
Dates to Save: Coaches’ meeting - Sept 17; Managers’ meeting - Sept 24.

2025-26 Hockey Season Registration

The 2025-26 Hockey Season Registration is STILL OPEN, and will CLOSE August 31st for all divisions, (except U7 which will remain open until September 30th). Space is limited.

There are currently only a few spots left in U9, U11 and U13, while waitlists have begun for U15 and U18. For registration details on the 2025-26 season fees and season set up, please visit our WEBSITE.

If you are a Lightning player and have not yet registered, we strongly encourage you to REGISTER TODAY. Players on the waitlist will be contacted shortly, please reach out if you have concerns.

U9HL Head Coach REQUIRED

COLGHA is STILL actively searching for a U9HL Head Coach or Co-Coaches for the THIRD U9HL team. If you are interested and would like more information please reach out to treasurer@collingwoodgirlshockey.com

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life”.

U9HL Program

Please note COLGHA Executive has made the decision not to host a U9 Competitive (Rep) Team this season. It is our sincere desire to continue to develop a strong House League system, increase our support of U9 development and reduce travel for families.

We believe that players and families of this division enjoy multiple activities throughout the winter months. COLGHA encourages opportunities that explore activities which enhance physical literacy, while instilling a love of all sports for life.

Senior B Tryout Registration is OPEN

COLGHA will host two Senior Teams for the 2025-26 Season, pending registration numbers.

The first will be a Senior B Team, while the second will be a Senior C Team. Both teams are competitive, and will participate in tournaments and exhibition games, while the Senior B Team will participate in Provincial Playdowns.

Players that are NOT chosen for Senior B AND players that DO NOT wish to try out will be encouraged to register for Senior C. Season registration for both Teams will open upon completion of the Senior B tryouts.

The Senior Division is an open age division 18+. Please REGISTER for the Tryout Package by August 31st, 2025 if you wish to be considered for this team.

Tryout fee is $65.00 which includes three Tryout Skates and the use of a Tryout Jersey.

GAL-TENDERS- ALL Gal-Tenders are FREE, but are still required to REGISTER for the TRYOUT Package. Please use the promo-code TRYOUTGOALIE upon checkout. No Payment is required.

Tryout dates and times are posted to the WEBSITE.

First Shift Program Registration is OPEN

The Fun starts HERE!! No Equipment? No Experience? No Problem!

If you have a daughter aged 6-10 years, new to hockey, and she wants to have FUN, build FRIENDSHIPS, and be part of a TEAM, please visit FIRST SHIFT PROGRAM to learn more.

COLGHA is pleased to offer The NHL/NHLPA First Shift Program once again. This 6 week Lightning-Bauer partnership is open to girls who have never previously enrolled in minor hockey within Canada. The equipment fitting night is set for Wednesday October 29th, followed by 6 weeks on ice with Lightning Volunteers! Please reach out to Kaitlyn MacDonald if you have questions, kaitlyn_macdonald@hotmail.com

See you on the ice Lightning!! Register TODAY

U11 and U15 AND NOW U13 Development Stream Opportunity THIS SEASON

We’re excited to share that the Collingwood Lightning will be offering U11, U13 and U15 Development Stream (DS) teams for the 2025-26 season (pending enough interest from families).

The Development Stream is a tryout-based program available only to registered House League players. It allows players to access extra ice time, participate in additional games, and attend tournaments with a dedicated team (in addition to their House League team).

For more information please visit our WEBSITE.

BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER!

Lightning VOLUNTEERS include; Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Trainers, Assistant Trainers, Staff, Den Moms, Managers and any and all helpers on the ice, on the bench or around the players!! If that’s YOU then there are 6 items you MUST complete before you can VOLUNTEER with us.

COLGHA has no control over these items. The OWHA, OHF and Hockey Canada have made these items mandatory in order to Volunteer. We appreciate the time it takes to become a Volunteer. While we wish there was an easier path, there is no way around these tasks. If you cannot complete them, we cannot roster you to a team or program.

TASKS TO COMPLETE:

Submit an up to date VSC through the Centralized Screening Portal AND sign a Declaration for the new season, HERE. If you need a COLGHA letter to request a VSC please reach out to collingwoodgirlshockey@outlook.com

Complete and submit your Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders. HERE

Obtain all certifications required for your position. Staff Qualifications for 2025-26. HERE

Email collingwoodgirlshockey@outlook.com with your full name, team(s) you are helping with (ie. U9 Silver), position with the team (ie. Head Coach, Manager, Staff) and an update on your completed TASKS!

Updated Team Staff Qualification Requirements for 2025-2026 season. NEW: Gender Identity and Expression Online Course is now mandatory. HERE

For the complete list of Volunteer Tasks and Information please visit our WEBSITE.

House League Evaluations

It’s almost time!! All registered House (Local) League players are expected to attend evaluations. COLGHA Evaluations are run by our HL Convenors and a Lightning committee. The purpose of evaluations is to split the players into even teams, for example U9 will have three evenly skilled teams, U11 x3, U13 x3, U15 x2. There is one U18HL team, no need for evaluations.

Each division is assessed by the Head Coaches along with volunteers that DO NOT have children in that division. You may see approved folks on the ice helping run evaluations, these folks are not evaluating, and in all cases have been placed on staff already. In order to have rosters approved on time, COLGHA allows each Head Coach to confirm 2 other staff members, one must be a Trainer, a female, a Head Coach. Some coaches may have already chosen further staff but they are staff that do not have children playing in our organization.

The evaluation schedule has been posted to the WEBSITE. Please click on the tab Collingwood Lightning Teams. From this drop down it is important to first click on PRE SKATES, each division will have one pre-skate. You will then go back to click on HOUSE LEAGUE EVALUATIONS, each division will have three evaluations.

IMPORTANT: U9 parents are welcome to help their player in the changeroom, please arrive with base layers ON. U11 and UP, please NO GUARDIANS in the changerooms, or in the hallway. We will have approved Den Mom’s to monitor the changerooms and hallway. If your player requires help to tie their skates, they are to come out into the lobby.

NO CELL PHONES in changerooms please.

Once evaluations are complete, players will be notified which team they are posted to. It is very important to note that team practices will begin the weekend of September 13/14, and while there may be some adjustments, we ask families to please maintain a positive attitude regarding player placements. We do our very best to divide divisions into equally competitive teams, and there are many VOLUNTEER hours behind the decisions. Please reach out if you have questions. Teams must be ready for games by October 4-5.

2025/26 Season Practice Schedule

COLGHA strives to give every family a consistent practice schedule. In order to achieve this, teams must split, share or rotate through practice slots, BUT your player will always have the same day mid week. Weekends are far more challenging because most games are played on weekends. It is safe to say, if your player does not have a game on a weekend, they will have practice. Game schedules WILL NOT be available until the end of September, please be patient as this portion of planning depends on many other centres.

September ice has been posted to the WEBSITE. We will do our best to update Oct-Dec practice ice shortly BUT please note there will be many changes and added ice. It is your responsibility to check the website for the most up to date schedule.

Below is a tentative plan for the season. ICE ALLOCATION

Skill Development with Liz Manley

COLGHA is excited to partner with Elizabeth Manley for the 2025-26 hockey season. Liz is a former competitive figure skater. She is the 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist, World Silver Medalist and Three-Time Canadian National Champion. She is a member of the Order of Canada, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, Author, Media Commentator and owner of Manley Elite Hockey Skating, working with teams; Grey Bruce Highlanders AAA, Collingwood Blues Jr A, University of Guelph Men's and Women’s varsity teams, Canadian Ice Academy and Wasserman Hockey to name a few. Welcome Liz!

U9 through U18, House League and Competitive will rotate through ice times for skill development. Please check the above practice schedule for details. We are still working on the Skill Development Program and hope to include a variety of other activities, and instructors. Stay tuned!

Goalie Clinics with Jill Moffat

COLGHA is thrilled to continue our partnership with Jill Moffat of Grey Bruce Elite Goaltending Club. Jill played Junior hockey in New Hampshire which lead to her recruitment to play NCAA college hockey in Pennsylvania for Lebanon Valley. She served as a team captain for three of her four seasons, broke three NCAA records, NCAA All-American nominee and received the Female Athlete of the Year in her final season. Upon graduation, Jill chose a contract in Sweden where she played for two years before returning to Owen Sound in 2022 to start her Gal-Tending School. Her company was built upon the values of growth, mentorship, and respect. Welcome back Jill!

Goalie training will take place on Sunday mornings at 7am, Central Arena.

Coach Social and Meeting

Head Coaches please save the date, Wednesday September 17th. Details TBA.

Manager Social and Meeting

Managers please save the date, Wednesday September 24th. Details TBA.

Lightning Swag and Game Socks

Please note U7 and U11HL do not need to purchase game socks, their jersey program (U7 TimBits, U11HL McDonalds AtoMC) come with socks to keep.

U9HL socks will be available shortly for purchase as U9 is no longer included in the TimBit Program, so each team will have colour specific socks.

All U13, U15, U18 and Senior must purchase home and away game socks.

Lightning Store UNIFORM FACTORY

Lightning Website and Social Media

Please follow our Facebook and Instagram feeds for the latest photos and news. If you have news to share then please update us! You can either send your photos and caption to us at collingwoodgirlshockey@outlook.com or post it on Facebook, it will be approved and copied to Instagram.

Don’t forget to check out our WEBSITE for schedules and Lightning updates.

Cheers, COLGHA