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Joining WYHA
Hockey is more than just a sport. Hockey teaches children life lessons such as teamwork, self-confidence, and determination. The team nature of hockey also builds life-long friendships. To learn more about all that hockey has to offer, we invite you to visit the "One Goal" web-site.
We also invite you to talk with the many families currently involved with our program.
The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about playing for Westfield Youth Hockey. If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to one of our Board Members who will be happy to speak with you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the time commitment required for my child to participate in ice hockey?
When GSL games start in October, a typical hockey schedule consists of (2) one hour practices and (1) to (2) one hour games per week. Westfield Youth Hockey does provide special skating and goaltender clinics on occasion (average 1 per month) that all players are strongly encouraged to attend.
For younger players looking for a little less intense hockey experience, we have a Mini-Mite program that is available to skaters between 4 and 8 years old (born in 2002 and sooner). The time commitment for Mini-Mite players is roughly 50-60% of the player who plays on the GSL teams, about 2 hours per week.
For novice players and skaters in our Learn-to-Play (LTP) and Learn-to-Skate (LTS) programs, the time commitment is about one hour per week. Our LTP & LTS programs are offered for (3) 8-week sessions from late September to early March. Please visit our LTP/LTS page for more information on this program. Our LTP/LTS programs are designed for kids between the ages of 3 and 10.
What league is Westfield Youth Hockey part of?
Westfield Youth Hockey is part of the GSL - Greater Springfield League - a group of youth hockey associations that are primarily based out of Western Massachusetts. Organizations that make up the GSL are:
Amherst
Pioneer Valley
Springfield Capitals
Holy Name
Ludlow
Franklin County
Nonotuck Valley
Northern Berkshire
Wilbraham Twin Meadows
Clifton Park, NY
Troy/Albany, NY
Brattleboro, VT
The average number of teams per division usually ranges from 5-8 depending on our sister organization's ability to field teams in your age group and ability. Westfield has a strong history of being able to place teams in just about every division in the GSL.
Do you let girls participate in your program?
This is 2010, not 1960. Young girls are most certainly welcome in our association. We are pleased that the number of young girls in our programs continues to rise year over year. However, we want and need more to grow our organization. We encourage all young girls interested in hockey to come and try out WYHA.
How are the age groups set-up for the teams that play in the GSL?
For players who want to play on our GSL teams there are 5 age groupings. These age groups are based on long-time standards set by USA Hockey. For the upcoming 2010-2011 season, these groupings are broken out as follows:
Mites - includes players born in 2002 & more recent years
Squirts - includes players born in 2000 & 2001
Peewees - includes players born in 1998 & 1999
Bantams - includes players born in 1996 & 1997
Midgets - includes players born in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
Some age groupings may have an A, B and/or C division in them to differentiate between teams of different abilities.
How much does it cost to play ice hockey?
NOTE: The following is a general guideline for parents. Actual costs may vary based on team placement and equipment needs.
The cost of equipment is the responsibility of each player. Bertelli's Skate Shop and Gateway Hardware (at the Olympia Ice Arena) are excellent sources of reasonably priced hockey equipment in the area.
Westfield is proud that our ice fees are typically among the most reasonable of all of the youth hockey organizations in Western Massachusetts while playing at Amelia Park - the crown jewel of youth hockey rinks in the Bay State.
GSL Teams
For players on our GSL teams, our yearly player fees typically range
from $1100 to $1300. This includes ice fees for practices, games, and clinics as well as the cost of referees and timekeepers throughout the entire season. Our coaches work on a volunteer basis.
Some teams may wish to participate in competitive tournaments throughout the season. Each team is responsible for funding their own tournament entry fees and related travel expenses.
These cost ranges do NOT include travel costs back and forth to the rink or equipment cost. Mini-Mite Teams
Our Mini-Mite fees typically range between $650 and $750 per year. This includes ice fees for practices, games, clinics, jamborees as well as the cost of referees and timekeepers throughout the entire season. As with our GSL coaches, our Mini-Mite coaches work on a volunteer basis. These cost ranges do NOT include travel costs back and forth to the rink or equipment cost.
Learn-to-Play & Learn-to-Skate Programs
Learn to Skate/Learn to Play fees are $75 per each 8-week session. There are (3) 8-week sessions that run during the hockey season between late September and early March. Please visit our
Learn to Skate/Learn to Play page for more information about these programs.
What equipment does my child need to play hockey?
Westfield Youth Hockey abides by the list of proper equipment mandated by USA Hockey and all players (including Learn to Play) must wear the following equipment: helmet with a face cage, hockey gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, cup, shin guards and a neck guard. Hockey sticks and skates must also be provided by the player. M outh guards are mandatory at the Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget levels and strongly recommended at the Mite and Squirt levels. Please note that the only required equipment for Learn to Skate participants is a hockey helmet with a face cage and a neck guard.
What team will my child be placed on?
Children are placed on teams based on age and skill level. Westfield Youth hockey fields multiple teams at the Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam level. This helps to ensure that your child will play on the most appropriate team based on age and skills. Currently, try-outs are held in the Spring for the following Winter Season. If your child has missed try-outs, the Board will make every effort to place your child on the most appropriate team.
My child wants to play ice hockey but I don't understand much about the sport, how do I learn more?
Westfield Youth Hockey is governed my USA Hockey and Mass Hockey. USA Hockey provides a number of educational resources for parents and children. If you would like to learn more, you may want to visit the Parent Education section of the USA Hockey Web Site. There you will find Additionally, USA Hockey has developed a comprehensive document called H.E.A.R. for "Hockey Education Adult Resource". This document contains valuable information about USA Hockey Philosophy, Player Development, Spectator Behavior, Equipment, Simplified Hockey Rules, Injury Prevention and a whole lot more.
As a parent, what volunteer opportunities are available so I can help out the organization?
There are several ways in which volunteers can assist WYHA. For those that work well with kids and are knowledgeable on teaching the game of hockey, head and assistant coaching positions are available. Leadership positions are available on the association's board and executive board. As we do fundraisers throughout the season, such as the calendar raffle, Pig Roast, and Fire & Ice Tournament, there are numerous volunteering assignments available to ensure that everything runs smoothly at these events. Lastly, each team needs a "team representative" who is the lliason between the organization and the parents and manages all the non-coaching aspects of the team during the season.
This "team representative" position seems like something I would be interested in. What responsibilities are involved with being a team rep?
Please take a minute to browse the attached document which identifies the various responsibilities required of the team rep and the processes that they need to follow through the hockey season.
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