About Us

Our Philosophy

We are a spring hockey development program that runs from April to late May.

Our model is to develop young hockey players into strong athletes by providing the highest quality of skill development, coaching, and off-ice instruction. At UBC Junior Thunderbirds, we firmly believe better athletes make better hockey players. Players registering for this program must have competed in rep level hockey. Those who are still in initiation must have a strong foundation of skills in relation to their peers and a hunger for hockey knowledge.

What Makes the UBC Junior Thunderbirds Different

At UBC Junior Thunderbirds, we focus our programs around three integrated concepts: skill development, small area games, and systems. As athletes get older, these three training avenues shift toward a more structured game that we view in hockey at the highest level.

  • At the younger ages, students will establish a system, but spend the majority of their time developing their hockey sense and skills.
  • At the older ages, students will learn more advanced systems. They will then apply their skills and hockey sense to that system as the pace of play increases.
  • Each practice will have a clear and concise practice plan that will be easy to follow as the program evolves. This allows young athletes to focus on their development linearly, rather than moving on before inconsistencies are corrected.
  • Our skilled coaches come with years of experience and the ability to translate information in a fun and effective manner, but also posses an attention to detail that will give your child the best opportunity to excel at the game.

*NEW* U7 Jr. T-Birds Spring Hockey Initiation Program

The Initiation Program focuses on growing together within the Junior Thunderbirds community and encourages broader participation through reduced fees and open registration (no tryouts are required). This spring hockey experience offers quality coaching, regular practices, skill sessions, intra-squad games, and in-house jamboree. The entire 8-week program is located at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, reducing the need for additional travel during games and tournaments.

  • Cost: $795, no tax
    • $250 non-refundable deposit due at time of registration.
    • $545 due February 28th, 2027
  • Registration opens July 8, 2026 @ 1:00PM
  • Program Dates: April 5, 2027 – May 30, 2027
  • Eligibility: 2021 and 2020 born athletes

UBC Junior Thunderbirds Teams

  • Cost: $1295, no tax
    • $250 non-refundable deposit due at time of registration
    • One additional payments of $1045.00 due on February 28, 2027
  • Registration opens July 8, 2026 @ 1:00PM
  • Program Dates: April 5, 2027 – June 18, 2027
  • Eligibility: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 born athletes; Girls U9, U11, Girls U13, Girls U15

What You Get

  • Each team is comprised of 15 skaters and a goalie.
  • Premium ice times, excellent facilities, involvement from UBC Thunderbirds Hockey alumni and current varsity players.
  • Each team has a head coach and at least one assistant coach.
  • Each team’s goalies will be scheduled for our bi-weekly goalie-only sessions.
  • Consistent practice schedule. Multiple practices per week all at UBC arenas.
  • Weekly dry-land sessions including shooting, stickhandling, agility exercises and/or multi-sport games.
  • Exclusive use of the UBC Stickhandling and Shooting area.
  • Game socks, game jersey, name bar, practice jersey, team apparel, and helmet stickers (game jersey to be returned).
  • Each team receives 16 ice times at UBC, 2 exhibition home games, and 2 tournaments.
  • Additional ice times including tournaments, development sessions, can be booked once the team is formed in addition to the team fee at the team’s discretion.

Contact Us

Not a current member of a UBC Junior Thunderbirds team? Please let us know of your interest in our program by emailing Program Director, Mike Nardi at hockey.programs@ubc.ca for future updates on UBC Junior Thunderbird development opportunities.