Beginners
The Beginner Program is intended for girls and boys who want to learn to skate and play hockey. The program is designed to teach the participants the fundamentals of skating, basic hockey skills, and self confidence. The goal of the program is to have FUN while learning the basics of a great sport.
The participants will be divided into several groups primarily based on age and/or skill level. Players without skating skills are welcome! The Beginner Program uses introductory, and progressive FUNdamental skill activities using USAH recommended station-based practice format.
The Beginner program is a prerequisite for Webster Youth Hockey's team-based programs (Pony/6U, RWB/8U, Empire 10U and 12U teams). We recommend a minimum of two consecutive sessions (e.g. Fall and Winter sessions), before entering a team-based program.
Ages
Beginners: Ages 4 and up
Webster Youth Hockey does NOT recommend the Beginner program for 3-year-olds unless they have completed at least two sessions of a Learn to Skate program (for example, Webster Skating School) and be comfortable standing and moving on the ice. Skaters should be mature enough to go on the ice without a parent.
Pony/6U is open to players with a birth date in 2015 or 2016 who have completed at least one full session of the WYHA Beginner or other Learn-to-Play program and/or with the recommendation of Beginner Program or 6U Pony Head Coaches.
When
Fall session: Septemberber - December
Winter session: January - March
Skaters may enroll after the start of the session with price decreasing by $10 every week. Registration will be closed when the program is full.
Practices
Wednesday evenings from 5-6 pm and Saturday mornings from 8-9 am.
Games
Not applicable. Occasionally, cross ice mini-games may be organized as part of a practice.
Equipment
Players are supplied with one jersey and one pair of hockey socks per hockey season.
We recommend that the participants have full hockey gear to maximize their safety on the ice. At a minimum (for new or novice skaters), the participants need a certified hockey helmet with face mask, elbow/knee pads (roller blade or ice hockey), hockey gloves, a straight blade ice hockey stick and single blade hockey skates. Figure skates and double bladed learner skates are not permitted.
2024-2025
Registration is now open.
Each session (fall and winter) for beginners costs $295. If paid in full for both sessions total season cost will be $515.
Beginners will be Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Fall session starts 9/4/2024 and ends 11/27/2024.
Winter session starts 12/4/2024 and ends 3/5/2025.
Register