Programs

The Hanover Hockey Association offers three different hockey opportunities for youth ranging in age from pre-school through high school. For very young skaters (born in ’99,’00,’01,’02), just learning to play hockey, HHA and Greater Lebanon Youth Hockey Association (GLYHA) together offer a Learn-to-Play program.

For young and entry-level players (born in '98, '99, '00) that are starting to learn the game of hockey and are ready for a bit more action, the HHA and GLYHA offer instructional and recreational play in a joint Valley Mite program.

Beginning at the Mite level (presuming adequate enrollment) and continuing through the Bantam level, HHA also offers Travel teams that participate 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 is 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.

For definitions of the age classifications please see the USA Hockey Age Classifications

At the September Board meeting, the Board expressed intent to expand to three Bantam teams and preliminary discussions with the GSL suggest that if we choose this option, the Bantam teams will be placed at tiers 1, 3 and 5. This intent will be finalized following tryouts if registration numbers remain consistent with those reviewed at the September Board meeting.

HHA LEARN-TO-PLAY HOCKEY

The practices for Learn to Play Hockey will emphasize fun, basic skating skills, beginning stick handling and introduction to the game of hockey in a non-competitive environment.

VALLEY MITE HOUSE LEAGUE

Using skills learned at the Learn-to-Play Hockey level or its equivalent, the goals are to begin coordinating those skills into passing, receiving and shooting the puck. Drills will be simple, emphasizing skating ability, turning, stopping and skating backward. There will be an introduction to the rules of the game, in-house games and perhaps a few games against programs in very close proximity. Many games will be conducted in the cross ice format recommended by USA Hockey to maximize involvement by players in game.

TRAVEL MITES

The mite travel option is offered to players who want a high competitive level of play with games against Granite State Hockey League teams throughout the State and Vermont teams of comparable ability. Generally there are two practices per week and games on Saturday and Sunday. This team typically plays in a tournament during the season.

SQUIRTS

Tryouts at the Squirt level will determine whether a player will be assigned to the Green, White or Blue 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 program and will have experienced competitive play at the House level. However, it is possible for a novice skater to begin playing at the Squirt level and make rapid progress, and the Squirt Blue 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 1.  

PEEWEES

The PeeWee level is the first level at which checking (physically attempting to interrupt the progress of the puck down the ice by bumping 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 6, 4 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.

GIRLS' TEAM

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.