Mite Hockey Questions and Answers

Eastview Hockey Association

Questions and Answers for Mite Parents

2011-2012 Season

Welcome

Welcome to EVHA mite hockey.  Mite hockey is for boys and girls 5 – 8 years old born on or after 7/1/02.  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 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 at the Hayes Ice Arena 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 is $50 for first year mites and $130 for returning mites for the 2011-2012 season.  All players must register with USA Hockey before registering with EHVA.  The USA Hockey fees are $30 for players born before 1/1/2005 and free for players born on or after 1/1/2005.  There is a required fundraiser in December that has an optional buy-out.  First year mites 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 offered to make hockey more appealing to young girls.  The girl mite teams will 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.            

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 skates.  Mites that are learning to skate will be placed on teams with other beginning skaters and will learn to skate together.

Q.    How many mites are on each team?

A.   There will be about 11-15 mites on each team.  Mite teams will share the ice with other mite teams at practice.

Q.    What is the mite clinic?

A.   The mite clinic is held by EVHA on Saturday Oct. 29^th and Sunday Oct.30th 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.  This year there will also be a “girls” session for girls that have chosen to play on an all girls team.  The cost of the clinic is $25.  The clinic is optional.

Q.    What is the mite evaluation?

A.   The mite evaluation will be held on Saturday November 5th and will be used to help place mites 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 players attend the mite 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, David Kisch, at (952) 953-9826.

Eastview Hockey - Mite Calendar for 2011-2012 Season

Please visit our web site at:  www.eastviewhockey.net