Registration is well underway for youth recreational hockey programs in Steinbach and Niverville.

Cassandra Kornelsen with Steinbach Parks and Recreation says the registration kick-off this past Friday went smoothly.

"The beginning was super quick, it started to fill up great. We have two sessions running, we have a Friday 7-11 age group and a Friday 12-16 age group and we are running with good numbers. We will be able to have lots of scrimmages and good skill-building and we are really excited that that is going to move forward."

Kornelsen says registration numbers weren't quite as high as they were expecting but she notes it's nothing to worry about, "we are just moving forward with our Friday groups and then hopefully in January we will be able to get that Saturday group rolling again."

Having not run the program at all last year, Kornelsen says they are more than ready to hit the ice late this week.

"Very excited, it was so lonesome in the winter last year. It is going to feel great, the kids are going to be back on the ice and parents are excited so we are very thrilled to offer this programming to our community again."