Instructional Program
Registration is OPEN for Timbits and Learn To Play 2nd Session!
If you participated in the Fall session, please choose the "RETURNING SKATER" option.
If you are new to this program this session, please choose the "NEW SKATER" option.
Full equipment is required for ALL programs: Ice hockey helmet with face mask, mouth guard, neck guard, ice hockey shoulder pads and elbow pads, hockey pants, cup or pelvic supporter, hockey shin pads, hockey stick, hockey gloves and properly fitted hockey skates. Jerseys will be provided by AAAHA.
Instructional Programming
Mini Mites (ages 4-6) Mini Mites is for our youngest group with a bit of skating experience.
Tim Bits (ages 4-6) Tim Bits is for our youngest group who still needs a hand learning how to skate!
Learn To Play (ages 7-13) Learn To Play is for those kids who are new to skating and hockey.
Full hockey gear is required for all of our programs.
Timbits and Learn To Play have 3 sessions. First session is October 2nd December, 2nd session is January - March. 3rd session is Spring-April.
New to Ice Hockey?
Which Program?
If you have a beginning skater, ages 4-6, please click on the Timbits tab to the left.
If you have a beginning skater, ages 7-13, please click on our Learn To Play tab to the left.
Our Mini Mite program is designed for those ages 4-6 with a little experience.
If your child is under 8 with skating experience, please check out our Mite program listed under the House program tab
Full equipment is required for ALL programs: Ice hockey helmet with face mask, mouth guard, neck guard, ice hockey shoulder pads and elbow pads, hockey pants, cup or pelvic supporter, hockey shin pads, hockey stick, hockey gloves and properly fitted hockey skates. Jerseys will be provided by AAAHA.
New Parents!
If you are new to ice hockey WELCOME to the best sport on earth!
If you are unsure where your player may fit in, please contact the Coaches. Names and emails are listed below.
Mini Mite Head Coach: Ron Dragan drag7r@aol.com
Tim Bits Head Coach: Rhonda Ford Timbitheadcoach@aaaha.org
Learn To Play Head Coach: David Ford Learntoplayheadcoach@aaaha.org
Director: Peggy Costello Peggy.costello@aaaha.org
Some important things you need to know:
The programs for new skaters are called Instructional programs. These programs typically begin the first few weeks of October on Saturday mornings. Mini Mites skate on Sunday mornings as well.
Timbits and Learn to Play have 2 sessions. Session 1 runs from October through December, session 2 runs from January through March. Both of these groups meet once per week on Saturday morning. Registration and payments are required for both sessions.
The AAAHA ice schedule will be finalized in July as well as program costs.
There is a registration fee and a program fee during the Fall/Winter season.
For the Spring season, there is one fee, due upon registration.
Registration with USA Hockey is required for all skaters and coaches/on ice helpers. Register at www.USAHockey.com
Registration with AAAHA is required for all skaters and coaches/on ice helpers. Register at www.aaaha.org (after July 4th)
All practice times and dates will be on the AAAHA calendar at the end of July. www.aaaha.org (Be sure to select the specific "team" you are looking for).
All skaters will need full gear, this includes: Mouth guards, neck guards, shin pads, elbow pads, jock, chest pads, glove, helmet, skates, and stick.
We will hold an informational parent meeting in late September for parents. At this meeting, you will be able to pick up your players jerseys, socks, paperwork and meet the coaches.
If you have questions about Mini Mites, please email Coach Ron Dragan at drag7r@aol.com
If you have questions about Learn To Play or Timbits, please email the AAAHA Executive Director at peggy.costello@aaaha.org
Follow these steps to register:
1. Register for USA Hockey at www.USAHockey.com
2. Register for AAAHA season: www.aaaha.org
3. Watch for emails from AAAHA and Coaches as season gets closer.
4. Attend parent meeting in late September. (All registered parents will receive an email with date and time).
5. Fill out player paperwork at parent meeting.
6. Purchase full equipment for skater.
7. Make sure all paperwork is filled out and turned in to team manager at the first parent meeting or first skate.
Parent Volunteer Needed
AAAHA is seeking a Mini Mite parent to help with communicating and "managing" the Mini Mite program.
We have volunteers to run the on-ice, and collect paperwork, but are looking for a parent to help with communication between Head Coach Ron Dragan and the Mini Mite parents.
Please contact me, peggy.costello@aaaha.org if you are interested.
Thank you!
Peggy Costello
New to ice hockey?? Read through the program descriptions below to find the age-appropriate choice for your child's introduction to ice hockey.
All of our instructional programs welcome both girls and boys, and no specific skating experience is required to enroll. Two sessions of Timbits and Learn-To-Play Hockey are offered, one beginning in October, the other in January. The Mini-Mite program begins in October and ends in mid March. AAAHA is excited to have long-time Coach Ron Dragan back again working with our Instructional Programs for the Fall/Winter season!
How to Get Dressed Video
This video is a step-by-step instruction of how to get dressed to play ice hockey. To download, right-click on Click Here and choose the 'Save link as' option and save to your desktop. Click here.
Full equipment is required for ALL programs: Ice hockey helmet with facemask, mouth guard, neck guard, ice hockey shoulder pads and elbow pads, hockey pants, cup or pelvic supporter, hockey shin pads, hockey stick, hockey gloves and properly fitted hockey skates. Jerseys will be provided by AAAHA.
Mini-Mites (ages 4 - 6)
The Mini-Mite program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of hockey using USA Hockey's cross-ice model.
This program begins in October and ends mid March with a celebration during AAAHA's annual "Hockey Weekend".
Mini Mites skate both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ice times rotate by group between 8 and 9 am Saturday and 8 and 9:am Sunday. Long time AAAHA Coach Ron Dragan runs the Mini Mite Program. Contact him if you have any on ice Mini Mite questions. (drag7r@aol.com)
Players will be divided into groups. Each group will work on skating and puck handling while the 2nd year groups will work on continuing development of individual skills and building team skills. Players may be moved between groups at the discretion of the coaches during the season. Skating instruction will include forward and backward stride, glide turns, crossover turns, stops and starts, and edge control. Stick handling instruction will be taught at all levels with more advanced concepts (individual "moves" and speed with the puck) being introduced in the 2nd-year groups. Passing and shooting skills will be taught and incorporated into many of the drills, small area games will be played.
On-line registration opens in July and requires a non-refundable deposit. Questions regarding on ice Mini Mite activities, contact head coach Ron Dragan (drag7r@aol.com)
Timbits (ages 4 - 6) Beginning skaters
A program for our youngest beginning skaters.
Fifty minutes of coach-supervised ice time for 9 weeks (each session).
AAAHA offers this program for any young person wanting to try hockey for the first time.
Timbits is an opportunity to give ice hockey a try without making a huge time commitment. Sessions are designed as creative time to "try out ice skating and get the feel of the puck" - very basic skating and puck handling skills will be taught in a fun, relaxed setting. Timbits skate once per week on Saturday morning.
AAAHA provides a jersey. Registration is on-line and requires a $100 non-refundable deposit.
Session 1 begins in October, and a second session will be offered beginning on January 2022.
Learn to Play Hockey (ages 7 - 13)
A program for older kids who are new to ice hockey.
LTP offers 50 minutes of ice time for 9 weeks on Saturdays, beginning in October. There are 2 sessions, Fall begins in October, Winter session begins in January.
Learn to Play Hockey (LTPH) is a skill development program for older kids who have little, or no organized ice hockey experience. Basic Instruction in the fundamentals of skating, stick handling and necessary hockey skills required for future possible team placement is provided.
Enrollment is limited in order to allow ample individual instruction. Registration will open in July
Jerseys will be provided by AAAHA.
Registration is on-line and requires a $100 non-refundable deposit. The program fee will be available in August. A second session will be offered beginning on January5th.
Full hockey gear is required.
