Development: Years 1 & 2
Beginning hockey players enter MYH through the developmental program. This program consists of three instructional sessions that take place during one hockey season. The developmental program kicks off in the fall with Learn to Skate (LTS) and Intro to Hockey (ITH). ITH gets kids into full hockey equipment for the first time. The third session is called Spring Challenge (SC). Each developmental program runs for eight weeks on either Saturday or Sunday afternoons. LTS and ITH begins in September and the SC begins in April. Sessions do fill up so be sure to sign up early.
Development: Year 1
Learn To Skate
The LTS program runs for eight weeks beginning in early October and is held on Saturday mornings. LTS is open to all Tri-Town children ages four through eight who have little or no skating experience. Children younger than age four are welcome to participate in the LTS program as long as they have a parent or guardian that is available for constant and direct supervision. Beginning skating skills are taught through fun and games in order to capture and retain the children’s attention and concentration.
Equipment requirements:
- Helmet - Children must wear a helmet at all times on the ice. An HECC approved hockey helmet is preferred but bike and ski helmets are acceptable.
- Skates – Make sure they fit, are sharp and are tied properly. Skates run about 1 size smaller than your shoe size. Sharp edges will help your child turn better. Skates that are tied too tight will hurt while skates that are tied too loose can lead to injury.
- Gloves – A good pair of gloves are a must. Knee/Elbow Pads & Hockey/Ski Pants – These are strongly recommended as the ice is a hard surface.
Intro To Hockey
For those who want to continue on with the second developmental program MYH offers ITH. ITH runs for eight weeks beginning in September and is held on Saturday mornings. ITH puts children into full hockey equipment and exposes them to the game of hockey for the very first time. The ITH program will begin to teach children the fundamentals of hockey. Skill development is common theme throughout the MYH program but it begins with ITH. Skating, stick handling, passing and shooting are taught and small area games are played. Each session is taught in a positive atmosphere where the emphasis is placed on FUN.
Equipment requirements:
- Helmet - An HECC approved hockey helmet with full facemask.
- Stick – An ice hockey stick (not a street hockey stick).
- Skates – Make sure they fit, are sharp and are tied properly. Skates run about 1 size smaller than your shoe size. Sharp edges will help your child turn better. Skates that are tied too tight will hurt while skates that are tied too loose can lead to injury.
- Hockey Gloves
- Shin/Elbow Pads – Soccer shin guards are acceptable but not recommended)
- Shoulder Pads
- Hockey Pants
- Groin Area Protector
Mites Spring Challenge
For those players who just can’t get enough hockey, MYH offers the Spring Challenge. Spring Challenge runs for eight weeks beginning in April and is held on either Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Spring Challenge continues to build on what was learned in Intro to Hockey. Spring Challenge concentrates on preparing your child for the next level of hockey and helps parents to decide if their child is ready to graduate to MYH’s Mite Development. The equipment requirements for the Spring Challenge are the same as Intro to Hockey. Upon the successful completion of Learn to Skate and Intro to Hockey, players advance to Mite Development the following season. Note that players are not required to participate in the Spring Challenge in order to be eligible for Mite Development the following year.
DEVELOPMENT: YEAR 2
Mite Development (Formerly House League)
MYH’s Mite Development program builds on the foundation that was established in year one of the developmental program. Mite Development runs from October through March and takes place mainly on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The purpose of Mite Development is to teach and develop the skills that are required for travel team play. Building on what was learned in year one, Mite Development continues to emphasize skill development through station training and small area games. Forwards and backwards skating, edge control, starting and stopping, pivoting, crossovers, passing, shooting and puck control are the main skills that will be taught. However, player skill development is not the only intent of Mite Development. The development of future travel team coaches is equally important.
In Mite Development, players are randomly assigned to teams. The teams practice together and play small area games against each other. Although Mite Development is a little more intense than ITH, sessions are conducted in a positive atmosphere where FUN is the primary goal. Mite Development concludes with a banquet for players and families. Due to the close-knit nature of the Mite Development program, many children and adults develop lasting friendships. On-ice parent help is encouraged and appreciated.
Mite Development Eligibility Guidelines:
Players are required to enter Mite Development for one season if the following criteria apply:
- Player has been on skates for one season or less.
- Player is age seven or younger.
Players have the option to tryout (March) for a travel team if either of the following criteria applies:
- Player has been skating for at least two years.
- Player is age eight or older and has skated for at least one season.
- Player was suggested from one of the LTS/ITH Instructors based on observation of skaters ability.
The objective of the Mite Development eligibility guidelines is to ensure that players are put in the appropriate program for their abilities. A parent consultation with the ACE Coordinator and/or the Level Director will determine the best placement for the player.