2024-2025 Learn to Play Hockey
The Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association (MAYHA) Learn to Play Hockey program is offers a fun and safe environment for young children to learn basic hockey skills. Kids start with the basics of skating and gradually move on to essential skills like stick handling, passing, and shooting. Our certified USA Hockey coaches make learning enjoyable through engaging drills and games.
Program Details
- Age Group: Ages four and older
- Session Length: 45 minutes
- Frequency: Once a week for six or four weeks, depending on the time of year
Age Guidelines
4-5 Year Olds
To join Learn to Play, 4-5-year-olds need some skating experience. Although this can include public skating or outdoor skating, we highly recommend the Learn to Skate USA program offered by the Missoula Figure Skating Club. This program will help your child gain confidence and improve more quickly.
Click HERE to receive a discount code for Learn to Skate.
Learn to Skate participants can use our gear rental program and schedule a gear appointment using the link at the bottom of this page.
Not sure if your child has enough skating experience to join Learn to Play? Email Carly, our Learn to Play coordinator, a video of your child skating, and she’ll help determine where your player will best fit in.
Players 6 and Older
No prior skating experience is necessary. However, we recommend that kids participate in public skating, outdoor skating, or Learn to Skate before joining Learn to Play.
Progression to the Next Level…House Leagues!
Many players, regardless of age, complete multiple sessions of Learn to Play before moving into the house program. Players ready for house will have mastered most of the skills taught in Learn to Skate’s Hockey 1 and 2. Watch the video at the bottom of this page for a demonstration of these skills.
If you have questions about which program to register for or if your child is ready for our house league, please reach out to Carly.
Registration Guidelines
Hockey 1: This level is for players new to skating. Kids in this group start by learning how to fall and stand up. Most 4-6 year-olds should register for this program. Players ages 4 through 5, please see the above prerequisite. Many players will remain in Hockey 1 throughout the entire season.
Hockey 2: This level is for players who have completed multiple Learn to Play Hockey or Learn to Skate sessions or have experience playing pond hockey. Players are able to demonstrate forward strides, 1-foot glides, forward c-cuts, backward c-cuts, and snowplow stops.
Not Sure Which Option to Register For?
That’s okay! Reach out to Carly for advice. Hockey 1 and Hockey 2 levels occur concurrently on the same sheet of ice. Our program staff and coaches will evaluate your child and make adjustments as needed. immediately.
How Are Players Evaluated?
Coaches regularly evaluate players at the beginning and end of each practice to determine readiness for the next level. Players get about five minutes of free play at the beginning or end of each practice, which is an ideal time for evaluation. We encourage you to ask coaches for an evaluation to know which skills your child needs to work on.
Watch the video below to see the specific skills necessary to move to the house program.
Schedule
Session 1: Tuesdays, September 17-October 22, 5:45 pm and 6:45 pm (six weeks)
Session 2: Saturdays, November 2-23 and December 7-14 (no class Thanksgiving weekend), 8:30 am or 9:30 am (six weeks)
Session 3: Saturdays, January 4, 11, 25 and February 1-15 (no class MLK weekend), 8:30 or 9:30 am (six weeks)
Learn to Play – 3v3 Transition League – Saturdays, February 22 and March 1, 9 am (two weeks)
- This program is for players who are ready to move on from our Learn to Play program and enter our house leagues in the spring or fall of 2025. Players will compete in half-ice and cross-ice games with scorekeepers and refs each week. Players must have a coach or director’s recommendation to participate in this session.
Session 4: March 17-20, 5:45 pm (four days)
Session 5: March 24-27, 5:45 pm (four days)
Session 6: Tuesdays, April 8-May 13, 5:45 pm (6 weeks)
Session 6 (female only): Tuesdays, April 8-May 13, 6:45 pm (6 weeks)
Cost and Registration
The cost varies depending on the length of the session:
- Six-week sessions: $75 per player
- Four-week sessions: $50 per player
- Learn to Play 3v3 League: $40 per player
Registration fee includes:
- 4.5 hours of on-ice instruction for each six-week program; 3 hours for each four-week program; 2 hours/game for the 3v3 program
- Hockey jersey for the player to keep (one per person)
- Rental equipment for the session (requires a credit card on file)
See our Financial Policies for information on registration refunds.
Register online through our DaySmart Recreation System using the buttons below. You will need to create an account for yourself and your child and agree to the waiver. Registrations for all Glacier Ice Rink programs are handled through this site.
Rental Equipment
Rental equipment is included in the registration cost and includes a helmet, protective gear (elbow pads, shin guards, shoulder pads and gloves), hockey pants, skates and a stick.
Gear fittings will be scheduled by appointment only! Use the link below to schedule your time:
Online Equipment Rental Scheduling
Equipment fittings take approximately 30 minutes. If you have multiple children in the program, please make at least TWO appointments to allow adequate time for the gear fittings.
You need to provide undergarments (neck guard, socks, underwear, cup and t-shirt), plus sweatpants. Check out this video for information on how to dress your player.
Contact
- Grace Hoene, Youth Hockey Director
- Carly Dahms, Learn to Play Coordinator
Follow @Missoulayouthhockey on social media:
Thank you to our Learn to Play sponsors:
