USA Hockey and AYHL promote a developmental environment in which children between the ages of 5 - 8 can learn the basic skills of hockey (children age 4 can participate but will need a referral from a skating instructor).  Players in the 8U Fall/Winter program are evaluated and divided into 6 levels for practice and competitive purposes:  Beginner 2, Beginner 1, Intermediate 2, Intermediate 1, Advanced 2  and Advanced 1.  

At this age,  participants learn physical literacy and the interrelationship between movement skills and sport skills. Specifically, players are taught the foundation of athletic development (the ABCs): agility, balance, coordination, and speed. Players are taught agility, quickness and change of direction in quick bursts (less than 5 seconds in duration) in fun activities both on and off the ice. The development of athletic suppleness also occurs during this stage. Suppleness refers to flexibility and range of motion in muscles and joints. The basic athletic and hockey skill development for 8U Mites is well structured, positive, and performed in a FUN and social environment. The program is features proper progression, and is monitored consistently to help ensure players gain physical literacy and confidence.

• Players will be placed on teams according to age and/or ability
• Practices will be cross ice and follow the USA Hockey ADM (American Developmental Model)
• Increase opportunities for players to touch and handle the puck.
• Stress participation, fun and skill development.
• Provide a positive environment for learning the fundamental skills of hockey.
• Encourage creativity with and without the puck.

The objective of the “FUNdamental” stage is to develop on-ice balance, coordination, agility, and speed.   The outcome goal is that participants enjoy being at the rink and want to be playing hockey. Lessons are varied and interesting; the overriding goal is that all participants leave the ice with a smile. Emphasis is placed on developing speed, power and endurance using activity-based, small area and cross ice games. Basic flexibility exercises are introduced, and strength training is included utilizing the child’s own body weight. Players are also encouraged to participate in numerous other activities. To properly develop necessary physical literacy skills, it is recommended to play several other complimentary sports at this stage of athletic development.

Registration Deadline:  September 15 

Evaluations for 8U will take place the entire month of October.  Your player's group assignment for evaluations will be emailed after the registration deadline.

Season Length:  November - February

Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Teams will be selected after the completion of evaluations, with practices beginning in November.

8U Beginner teams will practice twice a week on Saturday and Sunday mornings

8U Intermediate teams will practice 3 times a week on Saturday morning, Sunday morning and Tuesday evening.

8U Advanced teams will practice 3 times per week on Saturday morning, Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. 

Friendlies are games set up with 8U teams from other associations. They are scheduled by the 8U Coordinator and are included in the season fees.   Teams average 4-5 friendlies a season.

Jamborees are fun events where multiple games are played cross-ice on one sheet of ice.  No score is kept and teams will play two to three "friendlies" in an hour.  Jamboree fees are not included in season fees.  The association recommends that Beginner teams participate in 2 Jamborees while Intermediate and Advanced teams participate in 4 jamborees throughout the season.

AYHL 8U Advanced Coordinator

Kyle Ostrow

Kyle is in his second year as an 8U coordinator. Kyle was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and played local hockey in Calgary until age 18. Following a very successful youth career he earned a spot on the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). During his second year in Nanaimo, Kyle helped lead his team to the 2007 Fred Page Cup (League Championship) of the BCHL and was also selected to represent Western Canada and winning the Gold Medal in the World Junior A Championship that same year. 

During the successful 2007 season, Kyle was recruited by the University of Denver Pioneers where he enjoyed four very productive years on the ice. Between 2007-2011 Kyle scored over 100 points giving him the honors being put in the prestigious "Pioneer Century Club". Kyle was named team captain and team MVP his senior year at DU.

Continuing his hockey career, Kyle played five seasons of minor pro hockey in North America and Germany, including the Colorado Eagles where he was an ECHL 2nd team All Star. 

After his hockey career, Kyle had a passion for skill development and coaching and co-founded Altitude Hockey. Prior to accepting the position as the AYHL 8U Director, Kyle has served as the assistant coach with Valor High School and assistant coach of the Warriors affiliate, 16UAAA and 12UAAA Colorado Thunderbirds. He continues to do skill development with Junior and College players in the Denver metro area.

8U Beginner COORDINATOR

ALEX WEGIENKA

Alex is returning for his 3rd season as an AYHL 8U coordinator.

Alex, a native to Denver, Colorado

• 20-years of hockey experience (Roller/Ice)
• 10-years played Skate City in-house travel teams across the Denver Metro
• Assistant Captain of High School Brighton Bulldogs roller team
• 10-years of competitive youth/adult ice hockey 
• 2 seasons Midget Major A Boulder Valley @ Superior 
• State Champions Midget Major A (1st season)
• Assistant Captain of Midget Major A (2nd season) 
• AYHL 8U Ice Coordinator , 12U PeeWee Asst. Coach, Adult & Youth Skills Coach, Lady Learn to Play Coach, Black Aces League Coordinator 
• Private Lesson Instructor
• CDC (Concussion Certified)
• Safe Sport trained
• 8U & 12U Specific Module trained 
• USA Hockey CEP 1, 2, 3 completed (Coaching Education Program)

Chris Gassman

Chris will be joining AYHL as the 8U Intermediate Coordinator and lead goalie coach for all recreation teams.  Chris comes to the Warriors with an extensive 20+ year hockey background in vast levels of play.  Chris was the Director of operations for the Lakewood Lakers/Colorado Jr Eagles from 2003-2022. He has a myriad of coaching experience at the High school level, Goaltending schools/leagues notably with the USJDP, and the Colorado Eagles professional team.  Last season he was the Director of Recreational Hockey & Girls Hockey for the Littleton Hockey Association.   Chris is a Denver native playing for Littleton Hockey Association, Arapahoe Hockey Association, University of Northern Colorado.