Lightning Newsletter Summer 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”.

Happy Summer Lightning!

2024-25 Banquet- Suits & Sparkles

On May 10th COLGHA Lightning celebrated the 2024-25 hockey season in style! These gals (and guys) understood the assignment- Suits & Sparkles 

Thank you to Katy, Gwen, Sarah, Lindsay, Thomas and the entire banquet committee for pulling it altogether and giving our Lightning players an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and recognize their efforts. For all awards details please visit our WEBSITE. 

To view the Banquet Gallery, please visit the link below. 

https://jessicacrandlemirephotographer.pic-time.com/UTr8khzJmTGOw

2025-26 Hockey Season Registration 

The 2025-26 Hockey Season Registration is OPEN! For details on the 2025-26 season fees and season set up, please visit our WEBSITE.

Please note that some divisions are almost full and a waitlist will be applied. If you are a Lightning player and have not yet registered, we strongly encourage you to REGISTER TODAY. 

U9HL Head Coach Required and Coach Announcements

COLGHA is 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

ALL House League and DS Head Coaches will be announced by July 7th. Thank you to everyone that has applied. 

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

U9HL Program

Please note COLGHA Executive has made the unanimous 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 Team Fall Tryout Registration is OPEN for the 2025-2026 Hockey Season

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

The first will be a Senior B (or A) 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. 

COLGHA will offer tryouts early September for the 2025-2026 Senior B Team. Players that are NOT chosen for the Senior B Team AND players that DO NOT wish to try out will be encouraged to register for the Senior C Team. 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 September 1st, 2025 if you wish to be considered for this team.

Tryout fee is $65.00 which includes one Pre-Skate, two 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 will be posted to the website late August, please keep an eye on our 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

Summer 3v3 and Goalie Clinics

Lightning Players and Gal-Tenders will have the opportunity to attend hockey in flip flops! Once again, COLGHA Lightning is hosting our Summer 3v3 and Goalie Clinics. Summer Registration is now closed, please reach out to collingwoodgirlshockey@outlook.com if you have a player that wants to join. 

3v3, Wednesdays starting July 2nd- August 27th, Central Arena

U9 and U11 (2016's) at 5pm

U11 (2015's) and U13 at 6pm

U15 and U18 at 7pm

Goalie Clinics, Mondays August 11th-25th, Central Arena

5pm or 6pm 

Please reach out to Clint Taylor regarding Goalie Clinics at lightninggoaltending@gmail.com

U11 and U15 Development Stream Opportunity THIS SEASON

We’re excited to share that the Collingwood Lightning will be offering U11 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:

• Register with COLGHA through RAMP registration as COACH/STAFF. HERE

• Submit an up to date VSC through the Centralized Screening Portal or 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.

Congratulations Lightning Class of 2025!

We wish to thank our U18 graduates for representing our club all these years. Without your contribution to our growth, development and overall good will in the community we wouldn’t be where we are today. 

Sport is a great enabler, teaching girls the skills they need to advance in life. Girls who play sports develop self-esteem, confidence, resilience, and learn to work in teams. They become leaders in life and continue to provide opportunities for others. We are so proud of you all.

Congratulations on your accomplishments and all the best as you continue to navigate your next path. Keep playing hockey and Thank You for being a Lightning!

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 summer schedules and Lightning updates. 

Cheers, COLGHA