New to Hockey
We're excited you're interested in participating in the greatest sport ever played (at least we think so)! As hockey can be a life long sport, we have a program for every age level and ability! We've put together some great resources below to get you started.
Come Play Youth Hockey
More than a Game
Hockey develops skills on the ice that build a foundation for a lifetime. In addition to athletic prowess, hockey promotes confidence, pride, focus and responsibility. With an emphasis on fun, hockey is a game to be played and enjoyed for life. Click here to read more from USA Hockey
Hockey Equipment Checklist
Every hockey player needs the right equipment before he/she can step on the ice. Take a look at the Equipment Checklist below. Our Pro Shop at Family Sports Center can outfit your player with all the necessary equipment. Stop by or give them a call at 303-649-1111.
Programs Offered at AYHL and South Suburban Parks and Rec
|
Age |
Class/Program |
Description |
Prerequisite |
Contact |
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South Suburban - Learn to Skate Programs |
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4 - 6 |
Learn to Skate–Pre 1 |
This class is part of our South Suburban Learn To Skate program. It’s a 30 minute weekly class for 7, 8 or 9 weeks. Beginning skills taught include fall down/get up, marching, gliding, clips, hops, back wiggles, snowplow stop. |
none |
or Registration: 303-347-5999 |
|
4 – 6 |
Learn to Skate–Pre 2 |
This class is part of our South Suburban Learn To Skate program. It’s a 30 minute weekly class for 7, 8 or 9 weeks. Beginning skills taught will include review, forward swizzles, one-foot glides, one foot snowplow stops, back 2-foot glides, forward pumps on a circle, back swizzles. |
Learn to Skate – Pre 1 |
or Registration: 303-347-5999 |
|
4 – 6 |
Learn to Skate–Pre 3 |
This class is part of our South Suburban Learn To Skate program. It’s a 30 minute weekly class for 8-9 weeks. We will review and teach forward stroking, one foot glides on circle, bunny hop, two foot turns on a circle, forward slaloms, backward skating. |
Learn to Skate – Pre 2 |
or Registration: 303-347-5999 |
|
7 – 17 |
Learn to Skate–Level1 (Levels 2 - 6 are also offered at SSPRD but are not required for a hockey program) |
Beginning skating skills covered include fall down/get up, marching, two-foot glide, dips, one-foot snowplow, back skating, forward swizzles, hops, back swizzles and back two-foot glide. |
none |
or Registration: 303-347-5999 |
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South Suburban - Learn to Play Programs |
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4 – 8 |
Learn to Play – Mighty Mites Hockey |
This class is part of our South Suburban Learn to Play program. It's a 50-minute weekly class for 8 weeks. Full hockey gear required. Players learn fundamental skating and puck handling skills through station-based practices to prepare them for the next level of ice hockey. Sessions are offered all year. |
Learn to Skate – Pre 1 and Pre 2 OR Mile High Mites OR Evaluation/recommendation from an Arapahoe coach |
or Registration: 303-347-5999 |
|
9 – 17 |
Learn to Play – Mighty Warriors Hockey |
This class is part of our South Suburban Learn to Play program. It's a 50-minute weekly class for 7 or 8 weeks. Players learn fundamental skating and puck handling skills through station-based practices to prepare them for the next level of ice hockey. Sessions are offered all year. |
Learn to Skate 1 OR Mile High Mites OR Evaluation/recommendation from an Arapahoe coach |
or Registration: 303-347-5999 |
|
9 – 17 |
Learn to Play – Junior Warriors House League (12U and 17U Divisions) |
The Junior Warriors Hockey House League is open to all male and female players’ ages 9-17 years old who are new to hockey. In order to be accepted into the program you must have completed at least one Learn to Play program or with approval from the hockey office. 5v5 half ice games are played on Sundays. Sessions are offered Fall and Winter. |
Learn to Skate – Level 1 OR Mile High Mites OR private lessons with an approved coach |
or Registration: 303-347-5999 |
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Other Hockey Youth Programs |
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4 – 9 |
Try Hockey for Free |
Sponsored by USA Hockey and run by our Arapahoe Youth Hockey League (AYHL); 1 hour of ice time; all equipment provided for session; offered multiple times per year |
none |
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4 – 9 |
Mile High Mites |
The Colorado Avalanche have a partnership with the NHL & NHLPA for the Mile High Mites Learn to Play Hockey program. Built to maximize the number of kids playing hockey in Colorado by providing the gold standard of LTP programs. Each host association will provide a fun and effective program by delivering the game in an age-appropriate manner, consistent with USA Hockey ADM/LTAD models. |
Recommended: Learn to Skate – Pre 1 or Level 1
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South Suburban – Youth Arapahoe Leagues and Programs |
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5 – 8 |
8U Program |
AYHL promotes a developmental environment in which children between the ages of 5 - 8 can learn the basic skills of hockey. Our 8U program consists of 6 levels: Beginner 2, Beginner 1, Intermediate 2, Intermediate 1, Advanced 2 and Advanced 1. Practices will be cross-ice and follow the USA Hockey ADM (American Developmental Model). 8U players will also participate in Friendlies and Jamborees. |
Learn to Skate – Pre 1 and Pre 2 OR Mile High Mites OR Evaluation/recommendation from an Arapahoe coach |
AYHL.COM or Hockey Ice Office: 303-754-0584 |
|
9 – 18 |
10U – 18U AYHL Recreational Hockey League |
AYHL’s recreational program has 4 age divisions: 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U/18U. As part of the CRHL (Colorado Recreational Hockey League), AYHL plays associations from around Denver including Arvada, Colorado Jr. Eagles, Denver University, Greeley, Hyland Hills, Littleton, Northern Colorado and Summit. |
Learn to Skate – Level 1 OR Mighty Warriors Hockey OR Junior Warriors House League. |
AYHL.COM or Hockey Ice Office: 303-754-0584 |
|
9 – 16 |
10U – 16U Arapahoe Warriors Travel Hockey League |
AYHL's travel program includes the following age divisions: 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U. As a Tier II program, AYHL has AA, A, and B teams that participate in the Colorado Competitive Youth Hockey League (CCYHL). This program offers players a very competitive and challenging level of competition that requires a higher degree of physical, financial and time commitment. |
Players go through tryouts to make a travel team |
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9 – 19 |
10U, 12U, 15U and 19U Lady Warriors |
AYHL's Lady Warriors program provides a competitive hockey program for girls between the ages of 10 - 19 years of age. Lady Warriors will compete at the Travel A level. |
Players go through tryouts to make a travel team |
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13 – 18 |
13U – 18U Colorado Thunderbirds AAA Program |
The Colorado Thunderbirds provide AAA caliber 13U -18U players with the ice time, coaching, and training needed to establish and maintain an elite development track. The program is structured to provide players with the time needed to excel both academically as well as athletically. The foundation of the program will be based on the core values of accountability, attitude, and effort. |
Players go through tryouts to make a AAA team |
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South Suburban – Adult Hockey Leagues |
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18+ |
SSAHL (South Suburban Adult Hockey League) |
South Suburban Hockey League (SSAHL) is a no-checking, adult (MINIMUM 18 yrs of age), co-ed recreational hockey league. SSAHL has teams for every level from beginner to competitive (played youth, college and/or pro). SSAHL has a Fall/Winter league and a Summer League along with multiple Adult Hockey clinics throughout the year. |
Can apply to join as a team or as an individual free agent |
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18+ |
Black Aces Adult Hockey Lunch League |
Black Aces is a no-checking, adult, co-ed recreational hockey lunch league. Black Aces has four (4) 8-10 week sessions – Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. |
Teams are drafted 2 weeks before the start of each season |
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