Programs

Hanover Hockey Association (HHA) offers three different hockey opportunities for youth ranging in age from pre-school through high school. For very young skaters (players turning age 4-8 by Dec. 31), and just learning to play hockey, HHA offers the LEARN TO PLAY WILD (LTPW) program.

For young and entry-level players (players turning age 5-8 this calendar year) who have played Learn To Play for at least one year and are starting to learn the game of hockey and are ready for a bit more action, HHA offers the WILD MITES (WM) program.

Beginning at the Mite level (Mites are players age 8 and under as of December 31) and continuing through the Bantam level, HHA also offers Travel teams that play in the Granite State League (GSL) and, in some cases as determined year to year, on an independent basis. The GSL is a competitive New Hampshire hockey league that has multiple tiers within each age group with Level 1 / Tier 1 being the most competitive level.

Hanover teams are placed at levels that allow them to have a competitive hockey experience. Finally, the Association also offers a Girls’ program that either plays in the GSL or an independent schedule. Each of these programs are described below.

For teams participating in the Granite State League, as of September 15, we have been assigned as follows, but this is subject to change in the event final registration allows us to offer additional teams at a level and if and when the GSL decides to shift one of our teams to ensure competitive balance.

LEARN-TO-PLAY WILD (LTPW)

New players ages 4-8 with no previous hockey experience will register with Learn To Play Wild (LTPW). We expect that LTPW players have enough skating skill to move forward on the ice without assistance. (A select few older players, and those who demonstrate sufficient skill, may be invited to join the Wild Mite program no later than early December, if numbers allow). The on-ice sessions will feature an active clinic-style approach to the practices with lots of hands-on coaching and instruction. There will be three separate 7-week sessions, so players can register for all three, or just one session. Registration for each session is open all year. The LTPW program is designed so that the youngest players (for instance, those starting LTPW at age 4 and 5) can spend a second season in LTPW before moving up to the Wild Mite (WM) program; younger players should consider this option.
For 2009-10 the practices will generally be on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8am-9am at the Campion Rink. Cost is $125 per session or $325 if pre-registered for all three sessions. Team jersey is provided.
For more info, please click on the Learn To Play tab.

WILD MITES (WM) House Mites

Players ages 5-8 who have completed one year in the LTPW program are eligible for Wild Mites (WM), which is a developmental House Mite program. The WM program is important to player development as skating and puck skills are reinforced while the fundamental elements of team play, rules and full-ice hockey are taught. The program is designed so that players can spend multiple years in Wild Mites and it is recommended that players strongly consider a second year in the Wild Mite program before trying out for travel hockey. The WM program will feature a clinic-style pre-season followed by a team season including team practices, games between the HHA Wild Mite teams, and some games between our teams and house mite teams from other local associations. These games will be cross-ice initially and will move to full ice games. Last year we sent one team to an invitational tournament and concluded the season with a Jamboree at Thompson Arena.
For 2009-10 we will field four teams and the majority of the ice times will be on Saturday and Sunday mornings at either 7am-8am or 910am-1010am, with some addtional time possible at other local rinks on the weekdays. Cost is $325 for the full season. Team jersey is provided.
For more info, please click on the Mite tab.

TRAVEL MITES

Players age 7-8 who have played at least one season with the Wild Mites are encouraged to try out for Travel Mites. Travel teams usually practice 2 times per week (generally on weekday afternoons/evenings) and play 1-2 games per weekend. The games will be against teams from other hockey associations in NH (the “Granite State League” or GSL) and Vermont so there can be travel throughout the twin-state area. Exact locations depend on which teams end up in the “tiers” in which Hanover is placed by the State Organization. Score and standings are kept in the GSL. The team will likely go to 1 or 2 tournaments during the season, in addition to the State Tournament, that could involve an overnight stay on a weekend. The commitment to Travel Mites is a step up from Wild Mites not only in the frequency of skating but also in the expectation that kids (and families) will attend practices and games as they are truly part of a team that depends on them. Season runs from late September thru early March. For 2009-10, the Mite Green is slated for Tier 2 and Mite White will be in Tier 3.

Players who are 6 years old, and who have played Wild Mites, may petition the Board to try out for Travel Mites as would any player who wanted to play up with an older team. Approval would be based on HHA's existing process for player petitions that is guided by achieving the right balance of registration numbers. Should registrations exceed a reasonable number of players that the Mite travel teams can accommodate (as guided by HHA's recommended team size and coach input), then players not selected for travel during tryouts will have a place in the Wild Mite program.

SQUIRTS

Tryouts at the Squirt level will determine whether a player will be assigned to the Green, White, Blue, or Red team. In general, it is expected that players registering at the Squirt level will have been introduced to hockey via at least the Learn To Play Wild program and will have experienced competitive play at the House level, if not also at the Travel Mite level. However, it is possible for a novice skater to begin playing at the Squirt level and make rapid progress, and the Squirt Blue/Red team is appropriate for a beginning hockey player.

The Squirt Blue team will focus on continued development of basic individual hockey skills utilizing numerous drills and scrimmaging. Rules and simple team concepts are also introduced. This team plays a GSL schedule made up of games against teams of comparable skill. Travel on this team is sometimes more limited than the GSL teams.

The Squirt Green and White teams practice twice per week and generally will have games on both Saturday and Sunday. They will complement league play with games against non-league opponents in New Hampshire and Vermont. This team typically plays in the GSL season ending tournament if they qualify.

The Squirt White team can be expected to incorporate more complex individual skills and team concepts. Players at this level are expected to have a sound understanding of the rules of the game and will begin developing a deeper appreciation of team play. The Squirt White team has been declared at GSL Level 3.

The Squirt Green team will emphasize refinement of individual skills and the ability to execute at high speed and under more competitive situations. Team play will be further developed by emphasizing positioning and introducing more complex team situations. The Squirt Green team has been declared at GSL Level 2.

PEEWEES

The PeeWee level is the first level at which checking (physically attempting to interrupt the progress of the puck down the ice by checking the skater in possession) is permitted. As a result, speed and size are major factors in successful play. Although many players look forward to checking, the nature of growth patterns can cause a very large disparity in the players' sizes. Legal and appropriate methods of checking, and the preparation for being checked, will be taught by the coaches. At this level, all players are assumed to be relatively skilled in the basics of skating, understand team concepts, and know the rules of the game.

The PeeWee Blue, White, and Green teams haves been declared at GSL Levels 5, 3 and 1 respectively. All teams will complement GSL play with games against other New Hampshire and Vermont teams. Each team is planned for two practices per week and generally will have games on both Saturday and Sunday. These teams typically play in the GSL season ending tournament if they qualify.

BANTAMS

Speed, size and intensity are even more important factors at Bantams. At Bantams, players are developing physically at very different rates, and coaching will emphasize high levels of skill and speed and execution with strength. Players are developing the skills that will allow them to try out for the High School team. Shooting, passing and moving without the puck are strong requirements, as are a demonstrated understanding of the rules and efficient team play.

Bantam teams will complement GSL play with games against other New Hampshire and Vermont teams and have been declared at GSL Levels 2 and 4, unless the Board’s expressed intent of three teams is implemented, in which case teams are likely to be placed at tiers 1, 3 and 5. All teams will play in the GSL season ending tournament if they qualify.

MIDGETS

With the development of the Hanover High JV program, we no longer will offer an HHA midget team during the winter season, but do sponsor a Split-Season team.

GIRLS' TEAMS

The Girls' Program will accept girls from the squirt age to high school and can include a variety of skill levels. It is acceptable for a novice skater to begin playing with the Girls' Program as late as the 8th grade, and they will be evaluated and placed on teams based on their ability and potential for development through the season.

The final number of Girls' teams created will depend on the numbers of girls enrolled; with Green, White and Blue teams created if numbers warrant. Higher enrollment leads to multiple teams and allows for more appropriate placement of players based on their ability levels.

For the 2006-2007 season, it is anticipated that HHA will be able to offer a Girls U12 and a Girls U16 option. There do not appear to be enough registrants to support a proposed Blue or House team.

The Girls' White (U12) team will begin to develop more complex individual skills and will be taught a fuller understanding of the rules of the game. Team play will be further developed by emphasizing positioning and introducing more complex team situations. This team will practice twice per week and generally will have games on both Saturday and Sunday. Their game schedule consists of games against nearby (as much as possible) teams that are competitively challenging. They typically play in one or two travel tournaments during the season.

The Girls' Green (U12) team players are expected to have a sound understanding of the rules of the game and will begin developing a deeper appreciation of team play. Advanced individual skills, the ability to execute at high speed and under more competitive situations, positioning and more complex team situations will be introduced as the level of play allows. This team will practice twice per week and generally will have games on both Saturday and Sunday. Their game schedule consists of games against nearby (as much as possible) teams that are competitively challenging. They typically play in one or two travel tournaments during the season.