There is a new hockey program in Ontario that is providing an alternative to the initiation program offered by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).

The OMHA was formed in 1940, when the Ontario Juvenile Association (OJHA) and the Ontario Midget and Bantam Hockey Association (OMBHA) merged. Prior to the merger, organized minor hockey in Ontario was originally established in 1935.

In the fall of 2019, Hockey Canada changed the names of its traditional age groupings. Beginning with the 2020-21 season, all Hockey Canada age divisions for minor and female hockey programs became U7, U9, U11, through to U21.

Several years ago, Hockey Canada introduced an initiation program. Designed for beginning players aged five to eight, the program emphasized fun and skill development played on half-ice. The program focused on fundamental skills like skating, puck handling, passing, and shooting.

The program also introduced the concept of fair play and co-operation.

Four years ago, the Klevr Super League was formed.

Its mission is to provide families with affordable, safe, fun, and competitive hockey focused on premium development and experience. Its co-founders are former NHLer Kris Versteeg, who serves as senior advisor and ambassador, and Jamie Stone, an educator, who serves as president and commissioner.

Launched in 2022-23, this year Klevr offers programs for players born in 2017, 2018, and 2019. A look at the Klevr website indicates there are now 21 organizations, comprised of 92 teams and 1,402 players.

Klevr’s philosophy is distinctly different than beginner programs offered by the OMHA.

First, players receive full ice instruction from qualified coaches. Depending on availability, ice-time varies from team to team. In many cases, Klevr teams organize practice times using several arenas. It is not unusual for a Klevr team to play or practice at three different arenas in a week.

Second, there are no league games. Rather, teams play exhibition games against other Klevr teams and compete at monthly tournaments. Teams are seeded into Tier One or Tier Two. Following each tournament, Klevr scrutinizes the results and reclassifies teams. This ensures that in subsequent tournaments teams play against teams of comparable ability.

Over the course of the entire tournament schedule, Klevr analyses the results and by the time championship weekend arrives in March, teams are seeded in their respective tiers to ensure the best competition possible.

The upcoming Klevr tournament is called the Salute to Service Remembrance Day Cup.

Held in Toronto Nov. 7-9, the tournament features a total of 258 games played over three days. Later tournaments are scheduled in Burlington, Belleville, Oshawa, Toronto, Stoney Creek, before championship weekend is held in Toronto.

This region boasts the Young Kings East and the Young Kings West. Having spoken with a couple of parents with children in Klevr programs, they say a few key differences attracted them to Klevr.

These include instruction using full-ice, the quantity of ice-time provided, and the monthly competitive tournaments. The parents spoke enthusiastically about the tournament format played over a series of weekends.

Despite the amount of travel, time, and financial commitment, the parents say their children are enjoying the Klevr experience, especially the tournament competition. One parent said, “the tournaments are well-run, and my son is competing and having fun.”

Klevr graduates will return to OMHA competition and I predict that at the U10 AAA level, the majority of these teams will be comprised of Klevr players. These kids will have played full ice for three seasons. They will have received quality instruction and coaching, will have come from a competitive environment, and experienced what it takes to compete at a high level.

© Peterborough Examiner