When you go to a local rink for kids hockey practice or games these days, you might see something different.

It is half ice hockey.

The idea from Hockey Canada is to let younger kids, aged 7 and 8, in the novice level of the sport use the smaller surface and develop their skills, before hitting the ‘big’ ice next year.

It’s the same old fun hockey game, but it’s being played on only half the rink

Instead of five players versus five players, it’s four on four, and even though it’s been quite a change for some, the kids seem to love it.

"I touch the puck way much more and my coach, Al, taught all our team a lot of stuff." said young hockey player Alex MacNeill.

Parents are also supportive of this concept, for this age group.

"Well, he gets a lot more touches. He seems to be a little bit more confident and he's really enjoying the game. He's really flourishing out there. This is our third game now and he's really enjoying it." said parent Luc Barrette.

Officials say, at a young age, half ice hockey helps kids with their skills development, which can lead more success at a higher level on the full ice.

Jacques Vincent is the President of the Rayside Balfour Minor Hockey Association.

"In our league, we separate the teams into two. So, we have all the stronger kids on one side, and the little weaker kids on the other side, and they play against the team which separates their kids the same way. So, it's more skills appropriate." said Vincent.

Brian Beaupre is the council director for Northern Ontario Hockey Association and he says this makes the kids better players.

"The kids have a better understanding of puck development, skill development, there's more touches for all these kids. They’re on the ice, they're skating, they're moving." said Beaupre.

"Instead of having one child carry the puck for most of the game, all of the kids are getting the chance to touch the puck." said Ken Ruppel, of the Walden Minor Hockey Association.

On January 15th, the players transition to the full ice, which gets the players moving on to the Atom level ready for the following season.