What are the Mites?  
The Mites refers to the age classification for hockey players that are 8 years and younger. 

How is the mite program different from the hockey clinic?

The Mite program is the next step in the progression of developing basic hockey skills after completing the clinic.  Having completed the clinic, kids are now ready to play actual hockey games.  For 2018 – 2019 we plan to have 4 teams.  One team will be made up of only 6 year olds and play in a division against teams that are 6 and under.  The second team will be made up of 7 and 8 year olds that are new to travel hockey and played in the clinic last year.  Our third team will be made up of 7 year olds that played hockey with the Mites last year.  Our 4^th team will be all 8 year olds who are in their second year of mites.  The teams will practice 2 to 3 times a week and will play 1 to 2 games on the weekend.  The games are played 4 vs. 4 plus goaltenders.  The games are usually half ice and sometimes cross ice, so that the players get to touch the puck more. The emphasis is on participation and having fun, and we don't keep formal scores.  We also teach good sportsmanship and the importance of team play. Our games are played against nearby hockey clubs that either come to play us at home, or we travel to play at their rink.  

When and where will practices be held?

Once our rink opens in early October, all of our practices will be at the Charlie Heger rink at Pershing Field Park, in Jersey City.  We will practice Tuesday and Wednesday night at 6:30pm.  We will have one to two club ice sessions on Saturday and Sunday which will be used for games, but may also be used for a weekend practice.

How will the practices be run?

We use the American Development Model created by USA Hockey.  With this system, we divide the ice into six different stations with at least one coach at each station.  For example, one station may use skating drills, the next station may involve a game of freeze tag, and the next station may be a shooting drill, while the one after that could be a soccer game on ice.  We use practice plans so that things are organized and we don't waist anytime.  The kids rotate through the six stations in small groups.  This system has proven to be a dynamic, fast paced and fun way of running a practice. Since each practice involves games and competitions that have an emotional element, the kids learn to skate and stick handle without even realizing they're doing it.  This system also eliminates any waiting in lines or idleness in between drills.  Fore more information about the American Development Model please go to usahockey.com

When are the games?

We will have home ice slots on both Saturdays and Sundays.  Exact time is still TBD.  Games will start in late November and will be played until late February or early March.  The away game times will vary depending on the time slots the opposing teams have.  A typical weekend might involve either a home game, or an away game, and occasionally both home and away.

How will the teams be divided?

For 2018 – 2019 we plan to have 4 teams.  One team will be made up of only 6 year olds and play in a division against teams that are 6 and under.  The second team will be made up of 7 and 8 year olds that are new to travel hockey and played in the clinic last year.  Our third team will be made up of 7 year olds that played hockey with the Mites last year.  Our 4^th team will be all 8 year olds who are in their second year of mites.