Team Descriptions

This is an association-sponsored, FREE "Learn to Play" program for players aged 4-8 years old.

The main goals of the IYHA Initiation Program are to teach the fundamentals of skating, stick handling, good sportsmanship, and instill a love of the game. We strive to follow the USA Hockey America Development Model (ADM) for implementing age appropriate practices and skill drills. We encourage you to visit the USA Hockey ADM web site at www.ADMkids.com or www.usahockey.com for more details. By utilizing smaller ice surfaces during games and station-based drills for the younger age, players learn skills and build confidence with the increased repetitions and puck touches.

As a USA Hockey and New York State Amateur Hockey affiliated program, all of our volunteer coaches are screened and complete a USA Hockey Coaching Education Program Course. Anyone can become a coach and we encourage parents to contact IYHA about becoming one. Coaches and on ice helpers are always needed!

The IYHA Learn to Play Program is a HOUSE program with all ice sessions occurring in Ithaca with no travel needed. The program is generally geared for players ages 4 through 6, but beginning skaters at 7 and 8 can start the year in the Learn to Play program and are encouraged to switch to the Mite program by mid season. (note on ages: USA hockey goes by birth year at the start of the season and not their age, a player can turn 6 in January or December and both would be considered 6). Players older than 8 cannot register for the initiation program, and must register for their age appropriate program. The Learn to Play Program runs 16 weeks, starting at the end of October and running through the end of February.

2024-2025 Season Specifics: The initiation Program will have 2 one hour ice sessions this year, with both sessions occurring at Cass Park in Ithaca. All participants are required to have a USA Hockey registration prior to registering with IYHA, (USA Hockey registration is free for players 6 and under, $43 for 7 and older). The IYHA program cost is FREE.

Please contact IYHA if you have any questions regarding the Learn to Play Program.

The main goals of the IYHA 8U House Program are to teach the fundamentals of skating, stick handling, rules of the game, good sportsmanship, and instill a love of the game. We strive to follow the USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) for implementing age appropriate practices and games. We encourage you to visit the USA Hockey ADM web site at www.ADMkids.com or www.usahockey.com for more details. By utilizing smaller ice surfaces, cross ice and half ice for games, as well as station based drills for the younger ages to improve development, players learn skills and build confidence with the increased repetitions and puck touches.

As a USA Hockey and New York State Amateur Hockey affiliated program, all of our volunteer coaches are screened and complete a USA Hockey Coaching Education Program Course. Anyone can become a coach and we encourage parents to contact IYHA about becoming one. Coaches and on ice helpers are always needed!

The IYHA 8U Program is a HOUSE program with all ice sessions occurring in Ithaca with some local travel required. The program is generally geared for players ages 7 and 8, but younger players that have mastered fundamentals of skating and basic hockey skills can participate in Mites as well. (note on ages: USA hockey goes by birth year at the start of the season and not their age, a player can turn 7 in January or December and both would be considered 7 for this season). Players do not need to have completed a year in Learn to Play to enroll in Mites, but are expected to be able to have mastered basic skating skills. Players 9 years and older cannot register for the Mite program and must register for their age appropriate program.

The 8U House Program is a 16 week program beginning at the end of October and running through the end of February.

2024-2025 Season Specifics: The 8U House Program will have 2 ice sessions this year, both at Cass Park. All participants are required to have a USA Hockey registration prior to registering with IYHA, (USA Hockey registration is $43). The IYHA program cost is $450.00 for this season.

IYHA will typically field 1 travel team each age group. Travel teams for the upcoming season are formed through a tryout process occurring in the spring following the past winter season (typically occurring in March or early April). The coach of the travel team is selected from a list of interested candidates by the IYHA board of directors. The travel team coach with the assistance of a number of independent evaluators will select the team. The goals of the travel team selection are to create a competitive team with a group of players that can work together. Many variables are taken into account when forming a travel team.

With the intent of being more competitive, travel teams are not required to follow equal ice guidelines for the selected players. Practices for Travel teams will usually begin in mid September and games will start in early to mid October and run into early March. Travel teams will typically play 40 to 50 games per season, which includes 3-4 tournaments. Teams at the 12U and 14U age levels are eligible to play for a spot in the State tournament (tournament bound). The Squirt age group is not tournament bound eligible and will typically play as an independent team.

2024-2025 Season Specifics: The Travel (AA) Program will hold all ice sessions at Cass Park. All participants are required to have a USA Hockey registration prior to registering with IYHA, (USA Hockey registration is $43). The IYHA program cost is as follows:

• 10U Travel Selects - $1,195.00
• 12U Travel (AA) - $1,295.00
• 14U Travel (AA) - $1,395.00

For players ages 9 and up, IYHA forms Snowbelt teams. Snowbelt teams are a step down in the number of games and commitment level of a travel team, but do require a modest amount of travel in the Central New York area.

Snowbelt teams compete in the Central New York Snowbelt League. The Snowbelt League is a recreational hockey league with an equal ice time objective. Teams are placed in various divisions with the intent to create fair and balanced competition where everyone can play.

IYHA will typically field 1 to 3 Snowbelt teams at each level. The number of teams that are formed at each level depends on the number of registered players at the start of the season. Snowbelt teams do not require try-outs, all players are rostered on a team.

Snowbelt teams are formed at the beginning of the season after a short player evaluation and teams practice and play as a team. Teams practice 2x during the week in the evenings and will typically play around 8-12 away games and 8-12 home games on the weekends during the 16 week season. Every Snowbelt team is placed in a season ending tournament (JAMS tournament) that may require an overnight stay depending on where the tournament is hosted. Total games (including the year end tournament) for a Snowbelt team may range from 24 to 30 in a typical season. Some teams may only play 8 away games, and others may play 12 or more, many Snowbelt teams have played in extra mid-year or post season tournaments as well – this is a team based decision and not a required part of the IYHA planned season.

2024-2025 Season Specifics: The Snowbelt Program will hold all ice sessions at Cass Park. All participants are required to have a USA Hockey registration prior to registering with IYHA, (USA Hockey registration is $43). The IYHA program cost is as follows:

• 10U Snowbelt - $995.00
• 12U Snowbelt - $1,050.00
• 14U Snowbelt - $1,195.00
• 18U Snowbelt - $1,195.00

Please contact Snowbelt coordinator, Jen Christianson if you have any questions regarding the Snowbelt Program.