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Monday, August 18
FAQ's for getting started in our program
FAQ's for getting started in our Jr. Riverkings/Recreation Youth Hockey Program
This section is designed to answer most of the questions we receive from parents of children interested in joining our Jr. Riverkings/Recreation Youth Hockey Program. If your question is not listed below, please contact our Recreation League Director.
Q1: How do I get started?
A1: Our program usually has a registration period during the summer for the upcoming fall/winter season. Information on how to register is posted in our Registration section and also in the division news pages. Registration comes in two parts: a) Online registration with USA Hockey which also includes insurance coverage for your child and payment of a non-refundable registration fee. b) Online MYHL registration including payment of a non-refundable fee. Check the website for the specifics.
Q2: Where are games/practices held?
A2: All games and practices are held at the Desoto Civic Center (DCC) in Southaven. Every season, we try to schedule an out-of-town weekend with a team from Birmingham AL, Springdale AR, Nashville TN, Little Rock AR, or somewhere within a half-day’s drive. This weekend is a lot of fun and gives the kids an opportunity to play some teams from outside our area. Player participation in this weekend event is not required, but is a lot of fun. Note: We don’t do this with the Mites division (ages 8 and under).
Q3: My child has never ice-skated before. How can he/she play ice hockey?
A3: MYHL runs a Learn to Skate program and a Learn to Play Hockey program prior to the beginning of the season. The Learn to Skate program is free and typically consists of a couple of sessions led by MYHL coaches. The Learn to Play Hockey program follows the Learn to Skate program and also typically consists of a couple of sessions led by MYHL coaches. There is a small fee for the Learn to Play Hockey program, which goes toward league fees if the participant joins the league. Skates are provided for the Learn to Skate program and skates and equipment are provided for the Learn to Play Hockey program. A refundable deposit is required for equipment used during the Learn to Play Hockey program.
Q4: Does my child have to know how to ice-skate to play ice hockey?
A4: A child does not have to know how to ice-skate to join the league, but he/she does have to play on skates (i.e. players can't run around on the ice in their shoes). Our Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey programs provide an excellent way to get started. Also, skating with roller blades is a great way to prepare for ice-skating. Skating on roller blades is very similar to skating on ice skates. Roller hockey players usually do quite well making the transition to ice hockey.
Q5: What does it cost to play?
A5: Recreation league fees are set near the beginning of registration based on estimates for: ice usage, number of players, costs for jerseys and socks, costs for referees, and some other small incidental costs. MYHL is a nonprofit organization. The Board of Directors, Recreation Division Directors, coaches, etc. are all volunteers. Therefore, all hockey fees go toward the costs of playing ice hockey.
Ice hockey is not an inexpensive sport. MYHL pays $250 for every hour of ice it uses at the DCC. We do some things like having two teams practicing on the ice at the same time, which lowers the cost per individual, but the costs still add up. An estimated range for 9 yr olds through 14 yr olds is $350 - $550 for the season. A jersey and hockey socks are also included in this fee. Our Mites division fees, ages 8 and under, are around half that. Our mites play cross-ice, which means they play their games the width of the rink instead of the length of the rink. Playing cross-ice has many advantages for the development of younger players. It also has the advantage of having twice as many kids on the ice at the same time (two games played at the same time), resulting in lower ice costs.
Q6: What kind of equipment is needed?
A6: Under USA Hockey rules, players are required to wear an approved helmet with mask, shoulder pads, mouthguard, neckguard, gloves, shinguards, athletic cup, elbow pads, skates, and stick.
Q7: How do I obtain equipment?
A7: We offer free equipment rental for first year players to our program except for skates, mouthguard, and athletic cups (mouthguards and athletic cups can be purchased from any local sporting goods store). Each first year player will also receive one complimentary stick. We require a refundable deposit in the amount for which we would sell the equipment-- typically around $100. We log each piece of equipment borrowed by a player and then at the end of the season, verify that each piece of equipment is returned. Once each piece is returned, we issue a refund in the amount of the original deposit. If a player wants to purchase the equipment at the end of the season, MYHL will keep the deposit and the player will keep the equipment.
Q8: If I want to purchase equipment and sticks myself, where can I find?
A8: First, we offer some used and new equipment at the end of our Learn To Play Hockey Program for purchase. We usually have most sizes of kids but exact fits are not guaranteed. Second, some Equipment can be purchased at sporting goods stores that sell hockey equipment (few if any in this area however). When traveling out-of-town, especilally to Nasvhille, you may want to consider dropping by their hockey pro-shops. Third, there are also many online stores, which carry hockey equipment. Lastly, MYHL also supports a an 'equipment exchange', see the MYHL website for more details.
Skates are a little more problematic. MYHL does have some used and sometimes new skates for sale. However, we don’t have all sizes and our quantities are limited. Used skates can often be purchased very inexpensively on Ebay. New skates can be purchased through the hockey supplier websites. Please note and take into consideration the skate sizing guides as defined on these sites. Also, skate blades must be sharpened. If you can get them sharpened by the store from which you purchase, that might be best. Skate sharpening services are limited in our area, but do exist. We periodically have someone come sharpen skates during practice. Also, the equipment manager for the Mississippi Riverkings sharpens skates. You just might have to leave the skates at the Riverkings' office and pick-up later. Skate sharpening services typically cost $5 - $7. For the Rec. Division, skates should be sharpened at the beginning of the season and then again mid-season.
Second, Equipment can be purchased at sporting goods stores that sell hockey equipment (few if any in this area). There are also many online stores, which carry hockey equipment. We also have an 'equipment exchange' on the MYHL website.
Q9: What are the age limits?
A9: MYHL has three leagues available depending on experience and age. If your child is just starting, we recommend the Jr. Riverkings Recreation League where your child is taught and mentored on how to play the game. There are four divisions starting with the Mites (8 and under) up through Bantams (14 and under). The other two leagues are Travel (our competitive league), and High School for high school students. High school teams require a tryout, but kids not making a team can “red shirt” and play in the Bantam Rec. division. For more information, go to our 'division's section'.
Q10: Does my child have to try-out for a team?
A10: There is no try-out at the rec. level. Players are evaluated during the first few practices and then teams of equal strength are created. All players who sign-up will be placed on a team. For the Travel and High School divisions, yes, tryouts are held since the play is competitive.
Q11: Will my child get to play or will he/she be riding the bench?
A11: First, hockey consists of 3 periods. Players skate in “shifts”. A team of 5 players on the ice is called a “line”. Players can come on and off the ice at any time as long as the team doesn’t have more than 5 skaters on the ice at one time. Coaches can change players during play, but often use stoppage of play to change their lines. Play stops for a score, a penalty, icing, offsides, puck out of play, end of the period, etc. A shift typically lasts a few minutes. We have a rule in rec. hockey— the player who plays the most shifts can only play 2 shifts more than the player who plays the least. Coaches are reminded at the beginning of the season that this rule CANNOT be compromised.
Second, because hockey requires continuous skating up and down the ice, even the best players can’t skate for too long without a break. Therefore, lines would have to be changed anyway, just because players simply can’t skate full throttle for too long. For both of these reasons, not only do players get an equal amount of playing time, they also all get an equal amount of quality playing time. In rec. football and baseball, a child’s playing time is often relegated to the last few minutes or the last inning or two of a game, or when the score is very lopsided. In rec. hockey, all players play in the first period, the second period, and the third period, no matter how close the score is.
Q12: How many games are played in a season?
A12: For ages nine and up, each team typically has 14 games and 15 practices. For Mites (8 and under), we typically have 10 games and 10 practices. There might also be other opportunities like all-stars, “select” tournaments, power skating sessions, etc. The number of games and practices is dependent on the availability of ice at the DCC.
Q13: Is youth hockey a contact sport?
A13: In hockey, physical contact is called “checking”. Checking is performed to separate the opposing player from the puck. Only the player with the puck can be checked (there is no blocking like in football). Checking can never occur from behind and a player may take no more than two strides before checking an opponent. Improper checking results in a penalty, which removes the player from the ice and places him/her in the penalty box. If checking rules are flagrantly broken, a player can be ejected from the game and even forced to sit-out the next game (this rarely happens). Mites (ages 8 and under) and Squirts (ages 10 and under) are not allowed to check. Checking starts in Peewees (ages 12 and under). No special concessions are made for girls. Girls playing in Peewees or Bantams (14 and under) play by the same rules as the boys and are eligible to check or be checked.
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