New to Hockey

St Francis Youth Hockey is proud of our hockey program and welcomes everyone. Check out some of the answers to common hockey related questions.

I’ve heard hockey is more dangerous than other sports

Not at all. Actually, youth injury rates in hockey are similar to injury rates in sledding, and well behind basketball, baseball, gymnastics, football, soccer and trampolines, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.(www.lpch.org)

And according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, hockey has fewer head injuries than most other popular sports, including baseball, soccer, basketball, football and golf. (www.aans.org)

Decreased rates of hockey injuries in recent years are undoubtedly due to improved helmets and safety equipment, as well as rule changes designed to improve youth hockey.

Hockey takes so much time, we’ll be too busy, my kids won’t be able to participate in other activities

At the C & D Mite level, there are 1-2 hours per week of practices and scrimmages throughout the season. At the A & B Mite level, the hours typically increase slightly, and this pattern continues as children move up to the higher levels of development, just as the commitment increases for advancing athletes in most sports, music, etc.

Hockey is more expensive than other sports

SFYHA is excited to offer the first year for new skaters free! In subsequent years Mite hockey registration begins at $518, with an additional $50 for A & B Mite levels. We offer free rental equipment as needed.

Once players move beyond Mites, the prices do go up. SFYHA is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, but the primary driver of hockey fees is still the cost of ice rental. SFYHA has managed to keep fees below neighboring associations, and since fees for the season include over five months of practices and games, the costs compare favorably to other sports in the community such as gymnastics, dance, traveling soccer, and traveling baseball. To help families manage costs, those fees can easily be spread over the season on a payment plan, or paid in full at registration.

My child doesn’t know how to skate

Most Mites join the program with little or no skating experience. The Mite program provides skating instruction, and they pick up the necessary basic skills quickly. For kids older than 7, and those younger skaters who would like additional instruction, consider SFYHA’s Learn to Skate program.

Hockey equipment is time consuming and hard to get on

Getting dressed for hockey takes longer than dressing for many other sports, but for new skaters, there is plenty of assistance. Older players help in the locker rooms for the first practices of our youngest teams, and more experienced parents are always happy to help new parents and skaters. Most parents find they can dress their skater in 10-20 minutes, and by the age of 6-8, most skaters can dress themselves except for final details, such as tightened laces and tough snaps.