Oh No, My Kid Loves Hockey
The moment has arrived: your kid begs to play hockey, or you catch them going bar down in the driveway with a grin ear to ear. For parents who already live and breathe the sport, it’s a dream come true. But for those new to the rink, it can feel like stepping onto the ice for the first time—thrilling, but a bit overwhelming! This page is meant to help ease you into getting into hockey with a first step - a Learn to Play hockey program.
About Learn to Play Hockey
HYHA’s Learn to Play program is designed to introduce participants to the fundamental skills of ice hockey, including skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. Under the guidance of USA Hockey-certified instructors, participants will engage in structured practice drills and informal scrimmages, with coaches providing hands-on instruction on the ice at all times. The program is committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment, ensuring that each participant's introduction to skating and hockey is both enjoyable and rewarding.
Session 1
Program Duration: September through the end of October
Practices:
- Wed 5:00 PM
- Sun 7:00 AM
Session Cost: Free
Equipment
Learn to Play players must have at a minimum skates and a helmet with a face mask. We also recommend elbow pads, knee/shin pads, and pants. Especially for younger skaters
Location
The Louis Astorino Ice Arena
595 Mix Ave, Hamden CT 06514
Who Can Sign Up
Anyone over the age of 2 can sign up!
We recommend that your player has had a couple of skating sessions prior to getting on the ice but will work with any player that wants to skate!
Need gear? Check out our HYHA sponsor Hamden Sport Center
Want more information on where we play? Check the link here!
Next Steps
Once your player is enrolled in our Learn to Play Session 1 program, which runs through the end of October, it's time to think of next steps. As the session concludes, our Coaches and Grow the Game Coordinator will provide personalized guidance to help you navigate the next steps in your player's hockey journey.
LTP Session 2
Session 2 of Learn to Play continues the format of session 1 & starts to introduce more of the small area game scenarios that will benefit your player.
Program Duration: November through the end of February
Practices:
- Wed 5:00 PM
- Sunday 7:00 AM
Session Cost: $400
Mite Development
Mite Development Program is the next step for players transitioning from Learn to Play Hockey. Players will improve on the fundamentals of skating and hockey from LTP with the goal of moving to our full Mite Program. Players doing Mite Development are encouraged to also still do LTP Session 2.
Program Duration: November through the end of February
Games: Saturday 7:00 AM
Tuition Cost: $300
Travel Hockey
Travel hockey is a big step up from Learn to Play and Mite Development & includes multiple practices a week (3) plus home and away games each weekend.
Program Duration: September through the end of February, including playoffs in Feb or March
Games: Sat home games & away games around the state.
Tuition Cost: Mites $2,500 (this price changes depending on players age group).
Youth Hockey Progression
For our families curious about the progression of youth hockey after Learn to Play and Mite Development.
- Players age 8 & under
- Half ice games
- Usually 2 20-minute periods
- No penalties
- Players age 10 & under
- Full ice games
- 3 12-minute periods
- Penalties
- Games start to look like hockey
- Players age 12 & under
- Full ice games
- 3 15-minute periods
- Penalties
- Skill level really picks up
- Players age 14 & under
- Full ice games
- 3 16-minute periods
- Penalties
- Body contact is now allowed
Players typically spend two years at each level before advancing to the next stage of development.
As players progress and mature, the pace of games generally increases, often accompanied by heightened intensity.
Once they become14U Bantams, players are typically prepared to transition into high school hockey.
The Cost of Hockey
Hockey is an exciting and rewarding sport, but it can involve significant costs. Ice rink fees substantially increase the annual expenses for youth players, and parents must also account for additional costs such as equipment, travel, and training.
Tuition
The base cost to play hockey can be intimidating*:
- 08U Mite: $2,000 - $4,000
- 10U Squirt: $2,500 - $5,000
- 12U Peewee: $3,000 - $6,000+
- 14U Bantam: $3,000 - $6,000+
- 16U Midget: $4,000+
*2025 estimated CT prices
Gear
Skates, sticks, helmets, gloves, elbow pads, shin pads, pants, etc. Hockey players need a lot of gear to play. The average cost depending on the age of your player can run from $400 - $1,000
Hockey Season
After tuition and gear you can expect some other expenses to pop up:
- USA hockey fees
- Jerseys
- Tryout fees
- Team events
- Tournaments & hotels
Registration Help
To register create an account at hyha.org by selecting Sign Up in the upper left corner of the site. Once you create your account you can add your player, called a Participant on the website.
From there you can register your participant by finding the Registration menu on the main page!
Need help with the website? Check out the help section of linked here (click the Crossbar logo!)
Questions?
Have questions? Reach out to us at info@hyha.org anytime!
Also check out our website under the Resources menu for a ton of information and a great Frequently Asked Questions section.