Mite Hockey Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers for New Mite Parents

Welcome to EVHA mite hockey.  Mite hockey is for boys and girls 5 –8 years old born on or after 7/1/00.  The mite hockey program is designed to introduce children to the wonderful sport of hockey, develop basic skating/hockey skills, and of course, to make hockey fun for children and their new friends.  Here are some common questions and answers for parents of first year mites:

Q. When is the mite hockey season?
A. Mites will play from early November through the beginning of March.

Q.  What days of the week do mites play?
A.  Typically mites will play indoors on Saturday and Sunday, and on occasional weeknights when there is outside ice. 

Q.  Where will the practices be held?
A. Most of the indoor practices will be held in Apple Valley. 

Q. What is the cost of mite hockey?
A. Mite hockey costs are kept as low as possible so young players can try hockey to see if they like it.  The registration fee for 1st year mites is $50 for the season.  The registration fee for returning mites is $130.  You also need to pay USA Hockey $40 if you are born before 1/1/2003. There is a required fundraiser in November that has an optional buy out.  First year mites also receive a free equipment package that includes most items except for skates, stick, and mouth guard (see itemized list handout)..

Q. Do the boys and girls play together?
A. The girls have a choice. They can either play on a team of boys and girls, or they can register for the “all girls” team(s). The “all-girls” option is being offered to make hockey more appealing to young girls.  The girls mite teams will still share ice time with regular mite teams (as all mite teams do) but the ice will be divided and the practices will be conducted independently.  Some girls mite practices will be combined with Apple Valley Hockey Association girls mite practices (AVHA).    

Q. What will beginner mites learn?
A. The emphasis of the mite program is on the development of skating/hockey skills and less on playing structured hockey games.; A typical practice might have 5-10 minutes of warm up, 30 minutes of skills training, and 20 minutes of in-house scrimmage against other mites of a similar skill level. The games are informal and the mites are not allowed to check.  Beginner mites will also play tag and other games that will be used to emphasize skating and having fun.

Q. What if my son or daughter has not skated before?
A. Many first year mites are new to skating. Mites that are learning to skate will be placed on teams with other beginning skaters and will learn to skate together.

Q. How many players are on each team?
A. There will be about 12-15 players on each team. Mite teams will share the ice with other mite teams at practice.

Q. What is the mite clinic?
A. Clinic is held by EVHA and offers a chance for both beginner and returning mites to develop fundamental skating/hockey skills. First year mites should attend the beginner session. Returning mites can attend either the beginner, or intermediate session according to their skill level. There will also be a “girls” session for girls that have chosen to play on an all girls team. Mites can attend any one or all of the days of the clinic, as they like. The clinic is optional. 

Q. What is the mite evaluation?
A. The mite evaluation will be held  in early November 2009 and will be used to help place players on teams with other children of similar experience and skill levels. All mites are placed on teams. The vast majority of first year mites will be placed on beginner teams. If mites attend the clinic they will be introduced to the skills that will be part of the mite evaluation. Both first year and returning mites should attend the mite evaluation. If you are not able to attend the evaluation, please contact the mite coordinator, Matt Johnson at mite.coordinator@eastviewhockey.net

If you have other questions about the mite hockey program once the season begins, the best place to start is with your child’s coach. If you have questions between now and when the season begins please contact the mite coordinator, Matt Johnson at mite.coordinator@eastviewhockey.net

You may also contact any EVHA Board member if you have questions: