Program Overview
Central CT Youth Hockey Program Overview
CCYHA is one of the largest and most successful travel programs in the state. We are an American Development Model (ADM) compliant program with the objective of long-term development. Our mission is to provide an opportunity for young people to learn the rules and skills of ice hockey through supervised instruction and competition while emphasizing the ideals of good sportsmanship and teamwork.
Development Programs
Learn to Play Hockey – This program is for our beginner hockey players ages 3 and up. Session 1 is a 5 week session (one weekend instructional hour per week) from mid October until the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. Session 2 runs from December through mid March and consists of two weekend instructional hours (Sat. and Sun.) per week. Registration for Learn to Play Hockey opens in late summer.
Mite Development – This program is for our players (ages 4-12) that have already participated in a Learn to Skate or Learn to Play hockey program. The Mite Development program runs mid October to mid March and consists of two weekend instructional hours (Sat. and Sun.) per week. Registration for Mite Development opens in late summer.
House League – This program is for kids aged 5-12 who have at least 1-2 seasons of skating AND hockey experience. Players are placed onto teams and have two practices and 1 game per week. Games are played half ice, with real boards across the center ice line separating the two games. Games are played 4 verse 4 plus a goalie in net (using goalie equipment). The House League program runs from mid October to mid March. Registration for House League opens in late summer.
Travel Programs
U8 Mite Travel (2014 & Younger Birth Years) – CCYHA is compliant with USA Hockey ADM model at the U8 level. The mite travel teams consist of our more experienced players at the U8 level. Mite travel teams will compete in CHC. Tryouts are held in March for the following season. Mite Travel teams will have two practices per week plus 2 games per weekend. Most weekends consist of one home and one away game. The number of mite travel teams will be dependent on several criteria including; number of participants, birth years, and talent level. The Mite Travel program runs from late August to mid March.
U10 Squirt Travel (12 & 13 Birth Years) – We have offerings for all experience levels at the U10 level. We typically have several teams at the A, B and C levels. Tryouts are held in March for the following season. Squirt Travel teams will have two practices per week plus 2 games per weekend. Most weekends consist of one home and one away game. The number of squirt travel teams will be dependent upon number of participants. Our squirt travel teams will compete in CHC and will have the opportunity to qualify for Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4. Our Squirt AA team will also compete in the Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League (EJEPL). This will consist of a 16 game schedule, 8 games of which will be played at two festivals and 4 home and 4 away games. The Squirt Travel program runs from late August to mid March.
U12 PeeWee Travel (10 & 11 Birth Years) – We have offerings for all experience levels at the U12 level. We typically have several teams at the A, B and C levels. Tryouts are held in March for the following season. PeeWee Travel teams will have two practices per week plus 2 games per weekend. Most weekends consist of one home and one away game. The number of peewee travel teams will be dependent upon number of participants. Our peewee travel teams will compete in CHC and will have the opportunity to qualify for Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4. Our PeeWee AA team will also compete in the Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League (EJEPL). This will consist of a 16 game schedule, 8 games of which will be played at two festivals and 4 home and 4 away games. The PeeWee Travel program runs from late August to mid March.
U14 Bantam Travel (08 & 09 Birth Years) – We have offerings for all experience levels at the U14 level. We typically have teams at the AA, A and B levels. Tryouts are held in March for the following season. Bantam Travel teams will have two practices per week plus 2 games per weekend. Most weekends consist of one home and one away game. The number of bantam travel teams will be dependent upon number of participants. Our bantam travel teams will compete in CHC and will have the opportunity to qualify for Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4. Our Bantam AA team will also compete in the Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League (EJEPL). This will consist of a 16 game schedule, 8 games of which will be played at two festivals and 4 home and 4 away games. The Bantam Travel program runs from late August to mid March. For those players that plan to tryout for their high school teams in the fall, we will explore offering a Bantam Half Year option. Players who plan to tryout for their high school must notify CCYHA on the commitment agreement so we can plan accordingly. These players will be guaranteed a spot on a travel team if they do not make their high school team.
Midget Programs (Split Season)
Midget High School Teams – CCYHA will be hosting Midget teams for the Wethersfield HS and Newington HS coop. These teams will be a half season team with players from those high schools on the roster. These teams will be undeclared midget teams. Midget season will run from late-August through Thanksgiving.
U16 &U18 Midget Tier 2 and U15/U16 Split Season Teams – Building off the success of last year’s season at the midget tier 2 level, Central CT Youth Hockey (CCYHA) will be, once again, forming split season teams at the U16 and U18 Tier 2 levels for the 2022-2023 season. Our U18 tier 2 team won the CT State Championship and competed at USA Hockey Tier 2 Nationals. The U16 team went was crowned back to back State Champions and representing CT at USA Hockey Nationals for the second year in a row. These teams fill a void in our area at the Tier 2 level. Teams will be competing in CHC Tier 2 with the winners of the CT State Tournament advancing to the USA Hockey Tier 2 National Championships. Teams will practice and play at Newington Arena. Tryouts will be held in mid April.
Additional Program Offerings
ProCrease – On-ice goaltender instruction for all Mite-Bantam teams two times per month.
Future Fitness - Off-ice training for all Bantam teams two times per month.
Goaltending Director – CCYHA has a Director of Goaltending to help advance the skills of goalies within our organization.
Summer Ice – We will be offering ice throughout the summer. Each age group will have a weekly session to stay on the ice (if they wish). This will be a combination of skills, small area drills and scrimmage.
Skills Sessions – Regularly scheduled skills sessions will be offered throughout the season, when ice is available.
Turkey Shootout Pond Hockey Tournament
CHC State Tournament