What is Learn to Play?
- The OYHA Learn-to-Play program involves two main components: 1) teaching kids how to skate and 2) introduction to hockey skills and games
- No prior skating or hockey experience is needed
- Players that have previously completed Learn to Play or Learn to Skate may be encouraged to join a program according to their birth year.
- At the completion of Learn to Play, players typically move to 6U/Mini-Mites or 8U/Mites based on their birth year
- The Learn-to-Play program is for kids who are generally 3-6 yrs. old
- 6-8 year old players can skate in the Learn to Play program; based on the skater ability, families may be contacted to join a different OYHA program.
- If you have a player interested in learning about hockey who is older than 8 years of age, see information about our Ice CHIPs program here
Schedule and Structure of Learn to Play:
The 2023-24 LTP Season will begin in October (exact date TBD)
Players skate on Saturday & Sunday mornings starting in October and running through early March. The program will take breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years' holiday weekends.
Schedule:
- Time of practice: Saturday & Sunday 8:45-9:30 AM
- On-ice instruction will focus on the basics of skating and hockey skills.
- Kids will enjoy playing many non-hockey games like variations of tag to improve skating in a fun environment
- As the season progresses, skaters will learn more hockey skills; then play unstructured hockey games; and may introduce more structure to play cross-ice games.
Costs and Equipment:
- We aim to provide players with the opportunity to try skating and playing hockey at a reasonable rate and in a safe environment before investing money into fees and equipment
- Our goal is to keep Learn-to-Play fees low while trying to provide equipment to everyone who needs it.
- For this season Learn to play fees will be $300 (total).
- We have a limited number of equipment bags that can be rented. These bags contain all the equipment needed except for skates and sticks. These are first come first serve and are available starting with first year Learn to Play skaters.
- There is a non-refundable bag fee of $30 (this helps us replace the bags after a few years) and a deposit of $80 that will be returned to you at the end of the season pending the return of all equipment.
- Kids will try on equipment to ensure proper fit and the process can take 20-30 minutes. An OYHA committee member or coach will assist with the fitting.
- If we run out of bags, each family is responsible for purchasing or finding proper equipment for their players.
- Rental skates from the rink can be used without any fee, but must be returned after each use so they can be used at the Ice Center's open skate sessions.
- We provide jerseys and socks as the season starts and as the kids get separated into groups.
2023 - 2024 LTP Equipment Fitting
Registration
Coordinator: TBD
IMPORTANT: DISTRICT BOUNDARIES:
The Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA), the governing body of youth hockey in Wisconsin, required that all players play for the district in which they reside. This includes the Learn to Play program. Please be aware that you will not be allowed to register at OYHA unless you reside in Ozaukee County.