2023-2024 PHC 6U/8U HOUSE DIVISION PROGRAM

The Piedmont Hockey Club is pleased to once again offer the most comprehensive and complete 6U/8U House ice hockey program in the northern Virginia area.  Our 6U group is the only program dedicated to the 6U age category and our 8U program is unequalled in allocated ice time and skills training. 

For the 2023-2024 season our 6U/8U House program will run from September 5, 2023, through February 24, 2024.  It is for players in Birth Years 2017-2018 (6U) and 2015-2016 (8U) who meet or exceed the prerequisite experience requirements for their age group.  All participants MUST be registered with USA Hockey for the 2023-2024 season prior to registration. Full hockey gear is a requirement at both age levels and the wearing of protective mouthguards is mandatory at all times while on the ice.  Protective neckguards are STRONGLY recommended.

Holiday No-skate dates:

November 23-26, 2022

December 18, 2023 – January 1, 2024

The planned Days/Times listed below for the age categories are subject to modifications as warranted by playing conditions or/and by player age and skill levels at the discretion of the Executive Director.

6U House  (Birth Years 2017-2018)   Fee - $795.

A two-payment plan is available with registration.

MULTIPLE PLAYER discounts:  Second and subsequent    FULL-SEASON registrations within the same family will receive each a $100. discount from the full-season fees.

Piedmont Hockey Club’s successful 6U house/rec program continues apace for the 2023-2024 season.  Focused on the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM), our program concentrates on the ABC’s of hockey: Agility, Balance Coordination (and speed) in a positively-reinforced fun environment.  Players will be divided into skill-based practice groups (will not more than 10 players per group) and conduct station-based practices and small area games. Periodic scrimmage games will also be conducted.  Opportunities for local-area ice “jamborees” with other hockey clubs will be sought as the season progresses and an end of the season tournament is in the works.  Our 6U program is the NoVa area’s only dedicated effort directed solely at the 6U age group.

Experience Prerequisite:  Preferred:  LTPH 1 or Future Caps LTP program or equivalent; Acceptable: One previous season of experience at the house/rec level.

Two ice times per week.  First ice date:  Tuesday, September 5, 2023.  Last ice date: Thursday, February 22, 2022.

Tuesday                    5:00 – 6:00pm

Thursday                  5:00 – 6:00pm

Each player will receive a jersey in the color of his /her team.

NOTE: Experienced BY 2017 players may request to “play-up” at the 8U level.   Individual requests will be considered by the House Director; if space is available at the 8U level and the player is believed able to succeed, approval may be granted.

8U House (Birth Years 2015-2016)   Fee - $1,295

Early registration discount:  Per player fees will be $1,195 for players registered on or before July 31.

A three-payment plan is available with registration.

MULTIPLE PLAYER discounts:  Second and subsequent    FULL-SEASON registrations within the same family will receive each a $100. discount from the full-season fees.

Unlike many other clubs in the Northern Virginia area, who offer only two practice sessions per week, the Piedmont Hockey Club provides three on ice sessions per 8U player per week.

Experience Prerequisite:  Preferred:  LTPH 1 from the Haymarket Iceplex LTPH program or equivalent; Acceptable:  At least one previous season of experience at the house/rec or travel level and/or completion of the Future Caps LTP program (or equivalent).

For the 2023-2024 season the Piedmont Hockey Club’s 8U program continues to include weekly training in power skating for all registrants. The weekly Power Skating session is additional to the three ice times per week.  Two of these times are for practice and one is for weekly intra-division games.  Power skating training will occur immediately prior to the Monday and Wednesday practice/game times with 50% of the division having instruction on Mondays and the other 50% on Wednesdays. Practices are based upon USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) with weekly practice plans drawn directly from the ADM. Players will be divided up into skill-based groups and conduct station-based practices and small area games. 

The weekly Wednesday games are played cross-ice, 4 versus 4, two lines and a goalie per team; teams will be constructed as equally-skilled as possible.  Weekly games will commence on September 20; the season's first two weeks will be dedicated to player ability-assessments leading to skill-group and team assignments.  At this developmental age, individual requests for assignment as a permanent goalie are generally premature; basic skill development and skating prowess are initial imperatives.   However, teams need goalies and team goalie assignments will generally be on a rotating, voluntary basis and player volunteering is highly encouraged.  The PHC has ample sets of youth goalie equipment; no investment is required to have your player experience the most important position in hockey.

Team sizes will be controlled to not more than 10 players (including a goalie) to maximize player time on the ice and puck touches.

NOTE:  All PHC 8U Travel players also participate in the 8U House program

8U House Ice Times:  First ice date: Wednesday, September 6, 2023.  Last ice date: Saturday, February 24, 2024.

Mondays:                  *Power Skating (50% of players as assigned):   5:00 – 5:30pm

*(begins 9/18)

                                 Practice (all players):

                                                   Begins 9/11                    5:30 – 6:30pm

Wednesdays:            **Power Skating (remaining 50% of players):   5:00 – 5:30pm

                                                **(begins 9/20)

***Game Day (all players):               5:30 – 6:30pm

*** (begins 9/20)

 (3 cross-ice games simultaneously)

Saturdays:                 Practice (all players):                        7:00-8:00am         

NOTE:  By USA Hockey rule, 8U players may not “play up” at the 10U level.

8U HOUSE TOURNAMENT TEAMS

The Piedmont Hockey Club encourages (strictly limited) 8U youthful competition in a controlled environment.  8U coaches, players and parents are encouraged to work together to form teams to participate on an ad-hoc, voluntary basis in various jamboree opportunities that arise during the hockey season.  An 8U coach will be assigned to coordinate playing opportunities and locations. Participation may require the acquisition of a PHC tournament jersey and socks as well as the payment of fees as applicable.  House/Rec Tournament jerseys are not the same as PHC travel jerseys.  The PHC House director will assist in coordination of and approve these endeavors on an individual basis.  

In sanctioned tournaments where Piedmont Hockey Club teams are competing, Piedmont Hockey Club registered players may participate only as members of a Piedmont Hockey Club-sponsored team.

Coaches:  The active involvement of volunteer ice hockey coaches is the foundation for teaching our young skaters the art and science (and FUN) of ice hockey.  We are always looking for talented and motivated adults to join our organization.  You need not have been a AAA player to become a coach!!!  All coaches must complete the USA Hockey Coaches certification program; details of this program are available at https://www.usahockey.com/coachingcertification.  We also seek team managers and assistants.  For additional information or to inquire about our coaching program please contact our House/Rec director – Coach Leo Mullin.  Coachleo43@gmail.com

The Piedmont Hockey Club will reimburse coaches for costs incurred in attaining USA Hockey coaching certification upon furnishing of receipts.  Reimbursements will be provided as credits against players accounts.  Coaches will also receive a set of warm-up gear.

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The Piedmont Hockey Club relies on the volunteer efforts of parent coaches.  Please submit the coaching application below and be a part of our team.

Applications may be submitted via email attachment to House Director Leo Mullin

email  coachleo43@gmail.com

Note:  Full instructions on the USA Hockey Coaching Certification process and links for applying can be found at:

https://www.usahockey/coachingcertification