What does a U9 season look like, and how many games and practices are there?

Hockey Canada's U9 pathway describes a season in phases, with some dates fixed and the game and practice numbers as recommendations:

• Preparation/evaluation: up to 4 weeks.
• Development: up to 8 weeks, with practice focused on skating, shooting, passing, puck control, agility, balance and coordination.
• Regular season: up to 16 weeks (14 if the players transition to full ice). The ideal practice-to-game ratio is 2 practices to 1 game, with a recommended maximum of 40 games in total (exhibition, league, and tournament, jamboree or festival games).
• Breaks: two seasonal breaks (not counting Christmas or long weekends), each at least five days with no scheduled game or mandatory practice.
• End of season: up to 4 weeks (6 if transitioning), in jamboree or festival format. There are no playoffs in U9 hockey.

Hockey Canada recommends 18 players per team (four lines and two goaltenders), and says players should not be cut.