Member Handbook

My fellow members:

A heartfelt welcome to the new hockey season to all our members, to those who are returning and most especially to our new members -- first-time hockey players, incoming transfer players and new coaches to the program. Our club is working harder than ever to advance our program, and we're looking forward to another year of tremendous growth and success.

Continued Growth

This past season built upon the success of the previous year, growing our membership to almost 200 total members! We have taken several steps to continue that growth this season. First, we will once again offer the Skill Development Program for free to every new hockey player, removing the most common barrier to children testing the waters...cost. (Paying club members will continue to enjoy participation in the Skill Development Program for free as well). To further reduce costs, the club now collects, stores and redistributes used hockey equipment. Finally, club members are rewarded with a $25 credit toward their fundraising obligation for every new member family they refer to the club (once they have paid either house or travel tuition). Through all of these measures, we hope to once again grow the club by 50%.

Build Within

There are three common misconceptions to youth ice hockey...it's too expensive, too early in the morning and you have to drive all over the state to play games against other teams. The reality is our tuition is among the lowest in the state. In comparison to other sports, how many offer sixteen weeks of at least two practices and one game per week? Our practices and games never start earlier than 8:00am and practice times are consistent.

The rebirth last season of our House Leagues was a huge success, particularly at the youngest age levels. By keeping all practices and games at Cheshire Fair Ice Arena, families were able to play their Saturday morning game and be done for the weekend by 9:30.

This season we will continue to build the House program as the base to all of our teams. All Mite, Squirt, PeeWee and Bantam B travel players will also play on a House League team. This gives them more ice time (without additional cost) and boosts the level of play and sheer numbers of our house league teams.

This is YOUR Club

My final point is that this is your club. Get involved; offer your thoughts; be a part of this wonderful and fun experience. My (virtual) door is always open. You are always welcome to offer your ideas for improvement to me by using the contact us form on the website. Thank you for choosing Keene Youth Hockey Club and I look forward to seeing you at the rink.

Regards,

Neil