The Learn to Play Hockey program is designed for boys and girls with prior skating experience that are ready to learn hockey skills. It is recommended for children that are 4 to 12 years of age.
Learn to Play is the backbone of Watertown Youth Hockey. The vast majority of players in our travel program started their hockey playing “career” in this program. It introduces new hockey players to the various skills (skating, stick handling, puck movement and control), necessary to play hockey. Players will have hockey sessions on Saturdays and skating sessions on Sundays for 16 weeks. On Sundays, the professional skating instructors of the Sharper Edge Skating School will work with players to improve their skating. In the other session, players will learn hockey skills from WYH’s USA Hockey certified coaches and play in cross-ice hockey games with skaters in the Newton Learn to Play program.
Players entering the Learn to Play program should be able to demonstrate basic-level skating skills: forward stride and ability to stop. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all players must be able to get back on the skates after a fall without the aid of an instructor.
Skaters will participate in a 40-minute skating lesson each Sunday at either 12:20 or 1:00 pm. We cannot guarantee your selected start time but will try our best to accomodate your preference. For Saturdays, players will be assigned to a 50-minute session for hockey skills/games starting at either 9:20 or 10:20, depending on age and experience.
Full hockey equipment is required (see below).
WHEN: Saturday November 13th through Saturday March 19th
(Dates subject to change due to weather closures or other reasons.)
WHERE: John A. Ryan Arena, 1 Paramount Place, Watertown
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Participants and Spectators must wear face coverings at all times at the rink, maintain social distancing, and follow additional rink guidelines. Refer to WYH's COVID-19 procedures for additional information.
USA HOCKEY REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. USA Hockey registration is free for children born in/after year 2015 and $46 for children born 2014 or earlier.
HOW TO DRESS: Full hockey equipment is required. WYH will provided a jersey and hockey socks. Players should provide the following:
- Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all skaters must wear a face covering at all times while at the rink.
- Hockey helmet with full face/shield (HECC approved) - For the safety of your child, an ICE HOCKEY HELMET (with a cage) must be worn at all times.
- Hockey pants
- Shin guards
- Elbow pads
- Hockey gloves
- Hockey skates
- Shoulder pads
- Hockey stick
- Athletic Supporter
- Mouth guards - OPTIONAL (WYH typically recommends mouth guards during hockey sessions but due to the COVID-related face covering requirement, safe management of a mouth guard may not be feasible).
- Throat protectors - OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED
