KYHC Youth Hockey Programs

KYHC offers several options for families to choose from which vary in both cost and time commitment. Following are rough guidelines:

Skill Development Program (Low)

The Skill Development Program is a light commitment that only has one practice per week. Players learn basic skills to prepare them to move on to the House League. Practices begin the first week of November and run through the end of February. In the past, SDP was every Wednesday night at 5:00PM and we hope to continue at that time slot in the 2008-2009 season.

House League (Medium)

The House League commitment is higher in the sense that House League players are placed on teams. Coaches count on players to come to practices and games whenever possible. Skill Development practices are included in the cost of House League registration. Players practice twice per week (1 SDP + 1 House League Practice) and play one game per week. For the 2007-2008 season, the intent is to have games on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Practices and games begin in early November and run through the end of February.

House Select (Medium-High)

This is a hybrid program between House League & Travel Teams. It is like the House League program in that it doesn't begin until November. It is like Travel Teams as players must be selected to participate on these teams and compete (in a more limited way) against players from other hockey clubs. Players are expected to attend all practices and games unless the absence is unavoidable. The cost and commitment is higher than House League but less than traditional Travel Teams.

A Mite House Select and Squirt/PeeWee House Select team will be formed from "House Only" players. Teams will play approximately 10 travel games in addition to participating in the House League. Players practice 2-3 times per week (1 SDP + 1 House League Practice + 1 House Select Practice) and play 1-2 games per week (1 House League + 1 House Select Game).

Travel Team (High)

Travel teams are, by their nature, select teams and require a higher level commitment of both time and money. Players are expected to attend all practices and games unless the absence is unavoidable.

Pre-Season

Once player selections are made, travel teams may conduct optional on-ice or off-ice practices during the summer months. Beginning in August, teams will practice 2 times per week at Cushing Academy, Winchendon or Greenfield through the end of October.

Regular Season

Once Cheshire Fair Ice Arena opens on October 30th, each Travel Team practices 2-3 times per week depending on participation in the Skill Development Program. Mite Travel players will participate in the Mite House League. Squirt & PeeWee Travel players will participate in the Upper House League. Any travel player who also participates in House League will play one House League game plus 1-2 travel games per weekend.

Tournaments

Each travel team is encouraged to participate in two tournaments per season. Tournament participation should be announced prior to October 31st. Families are expected to participate.

Does my child need to learn to skate before joining KYHC?

The more comfortable your child is on skates, the more comfortable your child will be in our program. We recommend that your son or daughter can stand comfortably on skates prior to joining our Skill Development Program. KYHC offers both a Learn-To-Play (Skill Development Program) and House League. These programs offer young hockey players the chance to develop at their own pace. The House League and Skill Development Program sessions last the entire season and combine skill development with team play as they are introduced to the game.

What is the hockey season time frame?

Ice hockey has one of the longest seasons of any team sport. Travel teams skate in earnest for seven months (August - February) and House Leagues skate for four months (November - February). Following are the key time frames of the season:

Early March: Registration / Tryouts

By May 1st: Players notified of travel team selections

June - Early August: Optional Off-Season travel practices

Mid-August: Travel practices start (Kickoff Weekend followed by 2 practices per week)

Week of October 30th: Cheshire Fair Ice Arena opens. Skill Development Program, House Leagues and House Select teams start

End of February: House Leagues and Skill Development Program end

Early to Mid March: End of Travel Season (usually concluded by a tournament)

What equipment is required?

Skill Development Program participants are only required to have hockey skates, helmet and a stick. We recommend that players wear as much of the full complement of hockey equipment as they have.

For Travel and House League teams KYHC requires that all skaters use the following equipment:

• HECC approved Helmet (preferably black) with attached cage or face mask
• Colored mouth guard attached to the cage/mask
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Hockey gloves
• Black hockey pants
• Protective cup
• Shin guards
• Hockey socks
• Garter belt/velcro shorts/straps (for socks)
• Hockey skates
• Hockey stick
• Neck Guard

Every Travel player must also purchase home and away jerseys from the designated vendor.

How are teams chosen?

Travel & House Select Teams are selected based on tryout performance evaluations as well as past player evaluations (when available). The goal is to place skaters on teams where they will play against others of the same age level and ability.

In November, coaches will draft House League teams in an effort to evenly distribute players by age and ability. The two House Select teams will also be placed at that time.

What does it cost?

Following is the fee structure for the 2007-2008 season:

A Pre-Registration fee of $50 is due with your application. Applications are available from the KYHC Registrar. The balance of tuition plus (optional) fundraising buy-out is payable in thirds due July 15th, August 15th and September 15th.

These fees cover the cost of practice and game ice rental, referees, team equipment (pucks, medicine boxes, etc.), our www.keenehockey.org website and USA Hockey and affiliate fees. The fee structure is reviewed annually by the KYHC Board of Directors.

How much playing time will my child get?

Everyone at KYHC plays in every game. Youth hockey games have three periods of 12 minutes each. House teams will have equal ice time for all team members, as is reasonably possible. Travel and House Select teams "change on the fly" just like the pros. In general, we attempt to skate all players equally. Exceptions are the last 5 minutes of a game when the score is within 3 goals, or when a coach may use a set power play and/or penalty killing unit.

How early are the practices and games in youth hockey?

Our earliest ice times are the House League games at 8:00AM on weekends. All practices are on weeknights beginning no earlier than 5:00PM and ending no later than 9:00PM. Although there are teams around the country that practice at 5:00AM, we recognize that this is unpalatable for our members so we strive to make the times convenient. Our practice times and House League game times are consistent (i.e. Your team's practice schedule is the same every week). Unfortunately, travel team game schedules vary week by week.

How are adults involved in KYHC?

KYHC is an all-volunteer organization. We welcome everyone who wants to help. We recruit coaches, scorers, timekeepers, and team managers from among our parents. Coaches attend USA Hockey certification clinics and additional KYHC on-ice and off-ice coaching clinics. The Board of Directors and its committees are also made up of volunteers. There is a constant need for help with KYHC committees.

What if I have more questions?

Give us a call or send us an email by going to our contact us form.