Valley Hockey: Welcome

Valley Youth Hockey Association

Through the Valley Youth Hockey Association, boys and girls from the ages of 4 to 18 participate in ice hockey at Meachem Rink in the Valley section of the City of Syracuse.  Valley offers a variety of programs including a free First Strides program that teaches the basics of ice skating, recreational teams and competitive teams that compete for State and Regional Championships.  Valley is a Tier III Association and a member of USA Hockey.  Hockey season at Valley starts in mid-September and ends in in mid-March.  The majority of our teams practice twice a week and play two games a week.  Thanks to our parent volunteers and sponsors, Valley has low registration fees. Our fees are less than half of some other local Associations and we offer more ice time to our players.  If you have questions about Valley's programs, please contact President, Rob Rioux at rrioux@twcny.rr.com.  

Players that want to transfer into to Valley should note that at this time, it is projected that we will have very limited spots for new and transfer players in several of our Divisions with the exception of Mites.  For Mites (players born in 2001 and later) we have several open spots.  Players that want to inquire about transfering into Valley should e-mail Rob Rioux.  Please note that when you register at our Association, you are registering as a Valley hockey player.  We expect players that try out, but do not earn a spot on our travel teams, to play on our house teams.

2009 -2010 Board Meeting Schedule:

All meetings are at 7:00 pm at the Cecil Center (across the street from Meachem Rink). 

  • Tuesday October 6, 2009
  • Tuesday November 3, 2009
  • Tuesday December 1, 2009
  • Tuesday January 5, 2010
  • Tuesday February 2, 2010
  • Tuesday March 2, 2010
  • Tuesday April 6, 2010

2009-10 Board Members

  • President:  Rob Rioux
  • Vice President:  Ray Carrock
  • Treasurer:  Carl Austin
  • Secretary:  Tracey Carr
  • Scheduler:  Matt Napierala
  • Director of Coaches:  Dan McDonald
  • Director of Referees:  Kurt Kemp
  • At-Large Board Members:  Jeff Carpenter, Eric Evans, Jacquie Orzell, Mike Powlin, John Purcell and Crystal Swanson.

2009-10 Season Important Dates 

  • Pictures - October 29, 2009
  • Annual Fall Party - TBD
  • First Strides Session 1:  Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, 19
  • First Strides Session 2:  Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13
  • Annual Drawing - January 30, 2009
  • Sectionals (Squirts, Pee Wees and Bantams) - February 19-21, 2010 (locations TBA)
  • Sectionals (Midgets) - March 5-7, 2010 (locations TBA)
  • Snowbelt JAM Tournament (Squirts, Pee Wee and Bantam) - March 12-14, 2010 (locations TBA) 
  • States (Squirts, Pee Wees and Bantams) - March 5-7, 2010 (Squirts @ Salmon River, Pee Wees @ Valley, Bantams @ Cortland) Valley to host Pee Wee States (Robin Thompson Tournament Coordinator) 
  • States (Midgets) - March 19-21, 2010 (16U @ Genesee/Batavia; 18U @ Fulton) 
  • 2010-2011 Season Board Elections - April 20, 2010 @ 7:00 pm Meachem Rink