CENTER ICE

YOUTH ICE HOCKEY		 youth hockey

 

 Learn To Play Hockey at Center Ice

Where do you Learn to Play hockey? CHIP!

Learning to play hockey at Center Ice starts with our Colonials Hockey Initiation Program (CHIP).  CHIP Skills and CHIP Games are the foundation of our youth hockey programs.  Through this program your child will gain a love for the great game of hockey, develop hockey skills and build lasting friendships.

 Center Ice runs hockey programs for players of all ages and abilities. We are dedicated to developing young athletes and promoting a love for the game.  For beginning players, Center Ice strives to provide the very best instruction to instill the basics of skating and fundamental hockey skills.  Through our programs families will develop new and lasting friendships.   Our youth travel programs thrive on quality instruction provided by our professional coaches and many qualified and dedicated volunteers. 

Center Ice is home to the Valley Forge Colonials (VFC) and Valley Forge Minutemen (VFMM) Youth Travel Hockey Programs.   Travel Hockey is for players who want to commit more time and energy to improving their game. On average, our Travel Hockey Program fields 15-18 teams for players ages 6 - 18 at multiple skill levels.


The Minutemen are a Tier I “AAA” program. 
As defined by USA Hockey, Tier I “AAA” is the highest competitive level of ice hockey in the United States. The Minutemen program is designed to further develop and challenge our most skilled players to compete against elite level teams at the local and national level. These teams compete in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL).


The Valley Forge Colonials are a Tier II program. 
Tier II hockey offers three playing levels (AA, A and B) to accommodate a broad range of skill and ability.  Typically, Tier II hockey is less of a travel and financial commitment than Tier I.  The Colonials compete in the Delaware Valley Hockey League (DVHL).  League games are played at most local arenas with the furthest travel being to Hershey and Delaware.


Youth Travel Hockey Programs
USA Hockey designates certain leagues throughout the country as Tier I and Tier II to create separate levels of play. Tier I or “AAA” leagues offer the highest level of competition available in the country. These leagues are designed for elite players in an area and the commitment required is higher than that of Tier II teams. Tier I is subdivided into Major and Minor teams. Minor teams are comprised of first year players at that level and Major teams are comprised of second year players. Major teams at the Peewee level and above are eligible for the USA Hockey National Championships. Tier II leagues look more toward development of basic skills than toward winning. The travel and time commitment is less than that of Tier I teams. Tier II is split into three levels of play, AA, A, and B in order to provide more of an opportunity for young players to participate in travel hockey. AA teams at the Peewee level and above are eligible for the USA Hockey National Championships.