Kids sports, travel hockey, are you prepared for the cost and commitment?

AGE REQUIREMENTS

AGE GROUP BOYS AND GIRLS 8 - 17

The game of ice hockey is known as the fastest team sport in the world. Children who participate in hockey should be aggressive, competitive, and coordinated.

Do Girls Play Hockey?

Today ice hockey varies by sex and age group. Most programs are offered to both boys and girls, however age divisions available may vary based on the league. Travel hockey is organized in clubs and is a competitive program for players whose hockey skills and interest in hockey are above average. Travel players should plan on making this their primary commitment from August through March.

This sport requires and extensive amount of time and commitment for both the player and the parents.

Hockey Divisions....

Travel hockey starts at the squirt level or 9 years old.

All divisions are based on birth date and your child must meet the restrictions to play the division. Birth certificates are required for all players. There are five age divisions for youth travel ice hockey:

Mites	8 years of age and under
Squirt	9 and 10 year olds
Pee Wee	11 and 12 year olds
Bantam	13 and 14 year olds
Midget	15, 16, and 17 year olds

Travel ice hockey is divided into five levels of competition level AAA or tier1, level AA, level A, level BB and level B. Level AAA is a very high level of competition and Level B is for those just learning to play the game.

REGISTRATION

When does the season begin?
September through early October is Preseason. The regular season will run from the beginning of October to March with Playoffs in April.

Registration and tryouts are normally scheduled in late Spring/early Summer or early Fall depending on the league and age group. Many leagues will do tryouts in the Spring for Bantam and Midgets and in the Fall for Mites, Squirts and Pee Wee divisions. Signs are often posted at the rink for travel team tryout dates and times.

Forms for registration can be obtained on the organization's web site or at your local sporting good store. In addition, many schools will distribute flyers for the organizations announcing the registration time frames. Organizations will often give you the option to register on line at their web site. A birth certificate is required at this time to prove the age of your child. In addition, most participants must have a current U.S. Hockey membership that is valid for the entire season. The cost is approximately $35.00.

COMMITMENT

Are you prepared for the commitment?

Travel hockey is a very expensive sport and requires serious time commitment for games and practices. The season often consists of 50 to 80 ice slots for practice and games combined.

PRACTICE TIME....You can expect your child to skate three or four times per week, with practices on weeknights and games on weekends. Times can vary depending on ice rink availability. Practice will last approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour depending on the age group. Some practices your team will have full ice and others they will share the ice time with another team.

Games will begin in October. Games normally last between 30 and 45 minutes and are divided into 3 periods. The number of games will vary based on age level. In addition, your team may participate in scrimmages, tournaments and playoffs games.

COST

Ice Hockey is an expensive sport. Funds will be spent on lessons, clinics, ice time, team/league fees and very expensive equipment. Cost vary depending on the Club.

Registration fees for travel hockey will normally run about $385.00. This will cover cost for league games, tryout ice, insurance and fees. In addition, once teams are established and the season begins each player will be responsible for their share of the cost for practice ice, referee fees, tournament fees, team equipment etc. This can cost anywhere between $825.00 - $1500.00 for a September to March season depending on the age group, number of players on a team and region where you live. These costs do not include uniform which could run about $300.00 and the cost associated with traveling for games and tournaments as well as player equipment.

The price of hockey equipment will vary with the age and ability of your child. The older and more advanced a child the more expensive the equipment. This is a sport where equipment must fit perfectly or your child will be injured. Your child's growth spurts may result in having to purchase some new equipment.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Did you know....

Parents should try to arrange to have their child's skates sharpened once a week during the season.

Your child should wear light fitting, cool, comfortable undergarments during all games and practices.

Hockey equipment is extremely expensive but sometimes you can save some money by purchasing online or buying used equipment. If you decide to go this route be sure to carefully consider the size sp that your child is fully protected.

A team rotates players in and out of the game to eliminate exhaustion. Players normally sit with defenders at one end of the bench and offenders at the other end to allow for quick substitutions.