|
The MHA program has three categories of players:
1. Initiation (Atoms & Mites)
2. Recreational--House (Tier III/C, Tier IV/D and Lady Mustang Teams)
3. Competitive--Alaska Blue Devils (Tier I and Tier II-Major/Minor Teams)
Initiation Level
Atoms & Mites Included in this level are 4, 5 and 6-year-old players. Mites are the more skilled and typically older skaters in this group. Players begin their model sessions meeting approximately once a week. The lesson plans are established by USA Hockey. Teams are formed to play modified games, cross-ice, with no scorekeeping and mandatory three minute line shifts. One coach per team is allowed on the ice during the scrimmage. No prior experience is necessary--many children at this level are new skaters. This is considered a beginning level with lots of fun for everyone!
The McDonald Center (www.mcdonaldcenter.net ) provides Learn to Skate classes (separate from MHA) to help beginning youth feel comfortable on the ice. These classes are not mandatory, but MHA does ask that players be able to stand from a fall and take a few steps forward unassisted on their skates before registering for hockey.
U8/Mites Players are 7 and 8 years old. Approximately one-third are beginning skaters. Players are grouped by ability (Red=Advanced, White=Intermediate), Blue=Beginner). All teams will play 4 on 4 cross-ice or half ice games. Some full ice games with officials and scoring will be played toward the end of the season for the more advanced groups.
Recreational Level (Co-ed House/Lady Mustangs)
U10/Squirts These children are 9 and 10 years old. The competition gets tougher at this age. The players have certified referees at their games and are subject to all the playing rules of hockey. Score is kept. Children at this age pick up rules and team play quickly and enter into the competitive spirit.
U12/PeeWees These children are 11 and 12 years old. The sense of competition and game sense is definitely heightened at this level. Some players still begin their hockey play at this age and others have played as long as 9 years. Play tends to be rougher.
U14/Bantams Includes skaters aged 13 and 14 years old. For many, this is the final step before high school hockey. Checking is allowed. Although players may participate simultaneously on a youth hockey team and a school hockey team (restrictions apply) others choose youth hockey over junior high or high school hockey.
U16/U18 Midgets These young adults are 15, 16, 17 and 18 years old. Many of these players are involved in high school hockey.
Evaluations: House players (Squirts through Midgets) can attend Evaluations where they are placed on either a Tier III (more advanced) or Tier IV team based on their skill level.
Competition Level (Comp--Alaska Blue Devils)
Tryouts are held in August. Comp teams are comprised of players and coaches with advanced skills who participate in competition play/travel and are completely self reliant financially. In-state travel to Kenai and Fairbanks is mandatory. Out-of-state travel traditionally begins at the Bantam age division and increases from one trip to two or more at the Midget age division. Comp players are billed monthly for their expenses (ice, officials, coach stipends, etc.)
___________________________________________________________
Team Schedules, Ice Times
MHA's Home ice is at the Harry J. McDonald Ice Arena in Eagle River. Teams at the Mite age and above will have occasional ice at UAA and the Palmer Ice Arena. All teams will have ice in Anchorage when games are played against other Associations.
Practices/games Monday through Friday are scheduled no earlier than 4:30 pm and can be anytime on Saturday or Sunday. Typically teams can expect the following for ice time: Tier III--59 hours, Tier IV--45 hours, Midgets--39 hours (See Team Ice Structure/Fees under the Forms Tab.) Full schedules are provided at the beginning of the season and coaches notify teams of extra ice/games. House players are on the ice an average of once to twice a week. Comp players have more extensive ice schedules which vary by team.
The House season runs Sept/October through Mid-March. The Comp season runs September 1st into February based on team placings.
___________________________________________________________
2015-2016 Season Divisions by Player Birth Years
2011-2009, Atoms (4-6 years old)
2008-2007, Mite (7-8 years old)
2006-2005, Squirt (9-10 years old)
2004-2003, PeeWee (11-12 years old)
2002-2001, Bantam (13-14 years old)
2000-1999, U16 Midget (15-16 years old)
1998-1997, U18 Midget (17-18 years old)
______________________________________________________
Equipment
A list of required equipment is available by clicking on the Forms tab. The McDonald Center does have some used gear available (especially for younger goalies) that can be borrowed for the season. Contact Reid McDonald at reid@mcdonaldcenter.net
____________________________________________________________
History of MHA
The Mustang Hockey Association formed in December of 1983 in anticipation of the Fire Lake Recreational Center's opening the next season. There was growing interest in providing an association that would represent the Chugiak/Eagle River area. The name "Mustang" was chosen to affiliate the association with the Chugiak high school mascot. The first formal team play began with the entry of three teams in the 1983-84 Alaska State Hockey Tournaments. During the summer of 1984, preparations began in earnest for the first complete season. During the first full season of 1984-85, registration totaled 235 players, far more than the anticipated 150-175 players.
The association has shown steady growth over the past thirty years. The efforts of numerous volunteers have made all of this growth possible. The continued success of the outstanding youth hockey program MHA provides depends directly on the involvement of parents and members of the surrounding community. Please do your part and volunteer to add to the history of Mustang Hockey.
____________________________________________________________
For more information on our program, please click on the Forms tab and select our Handbook.
|
