Register your player(s) for the 8U House program by clicking HERE.
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 no 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 initiation 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.
2023-2024 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.