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New to Hockey

NEW TO HOCKEY?

-- NO PROBLEM

Welcome to Cambridge-Isanti Hockey.  We're here to answer any questions you might have about the sport and help you get started. Here are the answer's to the most basic question-

Why Hockey?

  1. Hockey is a fantastic exercise—Hockey is one of the best cardiovascular games your child could play.  Players are alternating between skating and rest at very rapid rates, which makes hockey one of the best cardiovascular interval training sports.  This training improves the speed at which your child's body brings oxygen to their muscles while burning tons of calories.  Hockey requires a high level of coordination; regular play can develop a child's gross motor skills, which leads to improvement with the more difficult fine motor skills, and improves hand-eye coordination, which can translate to a better understanding of spatial relationships.
  2. Hockey builds character - Since hockey is a team sport, kids learn the value of working with others.  They will learn really quickly to rely on teammates and understand that cooperation is the key to success.  Kids on hockey teams experience a team spirit that encourages trust, responsibility, sportsmanship and a strong sense of accomplishment.  These skills are essential as teammates turn into colleagues.  
  3. Hockey improves mental agility—Hockey is an extremely fast sport in which kids have to cope with changes in split-seconds. Plays develop momentum shifts and opportunities open and close in a blink of an eye.  A child in this sport will quickly adapt their mental agility to be able to recognize these opportunities and their concentration will improve.  In addition, hockey players will quickly begin to project mental imagery of not just what is going to happen, but what will happen next leading towards greater mental agility as well.
  4. You live in Minnesota—As Minnesotans, just as ice is part of our life in nature, ice runs natively through our veins.  The very culture of winter sports bonds our communities together and accounts for the reason why Minnesota is #1 in physical activity in the nation.  The heroes of our winter sports are known to us all and our ability to attract you into our skating programs really knows no bounds.  

While the reasons above talk about why your child should play hockey, we as an association are dedicated to the cause of improving our youth and making them feel excited to play a sport that they will love.  We hope you'll join us next season and below we'll talk about how to get started.

The Hockey Schedule

The hockey season runs from about the end of September until March.  Our younger teams will start a bit later, and each team has "age-appropriate" practice times.  

-- Don't worry, you won't find your 5-year old skating at 9:00 PM for example. 

 

we're IN!... SO HOW DO I GET my child STARTED?

Learn To Skate Participants

It is never too late to start your child in hockey, but an earlier than later start is recommended.   Previous skating experience is helpful but is not required.  

If you have not skated before, we encourage you to take advantage of the Learn to Skate program.

You will find it to be a great way for your child to learn the basics of skating, which in turn, will help your skater in their hockey play.  

Age Classification - Level

Now, let's discuss where your child's level is.  

COED CLASSIFICATIONS

CIHA has teams divided by their age level.  Here is the coed age chart for the 2023-24 Hockey season.

Youth 6U / Mini-Mite (Born on or after June 1, 2016)
Youth ages 5 and 6. CIHA programs at this age level that focus on teaching the basics of skating and hockey skills. We typically do not field enough kids at this level and they will typically be paired with our in-house Termites.

Youth 8U / Mite (Born on or after June 1, 2014)
Primarily youth ages 7-9 but can include players eligible for Mini-Mite/6U. CIHA has multiple levels of Mite Divisions (In-house, A, B, C) based upon skill, age and size. There’s usually something for everyone! Contact our Mite Coordinator for more information. Non-checking.

There’s usually something for everyone! 
 

Youth 10U / Squirt (June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2014)
Youth ages 9-11. CIHA has multiple levels of Squirt teams (A, B1, B2, C) with varying amounts travel and competitiveness. Contact our Co-ed Director for more information.

Youth 12U / Peewee (June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2012)
Youth ages 11-13. CIHA has multiple levels of Peewee teams (A, B1, B2, C) with varying amounts of travel and competitiveness. Contact our Co-ed Director for more information. Minnesota Hockey hosts Region and State Tournaments at the Peewee B, Peewee A and Peewee AA levels. Non Checking.

Youth 14U / Bantam (June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2010)
Youth ages 13-15. CIHA usually has multiple levels of Bantam teams (A, B1, B2) with varying amounts travel and competitiveness. Contact our Co-ed Director for more information. Minnesota Hockey hosts Region and State Tournaments for the Bantam B, Bantam A and Bantam AA levels. Checking.

GIRLS CLASSIFICATIONS

CIHA is part of a coop with North Branch & St. Francis in order to pair girls with other players of similar skillsets. The coop, Northern Tier Stars (NTS), has teams divided by their age level.  Here is the coed age chart for the 2023-24 Hockey season.

8 & Under Girls (Born on or after June 1, 2014)
Young girls ages 8 and under. Offered as an alternative to mites for girls only, many associations within Minnesota Hockey are hosting teams, either as individual associations or combined. Contact your local association to get in touch with a Girls Coordinator for more information.

10 & Under Girls (June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2014)
Young girls ages 9 and 10. Offered as an alternative to squirts for girls, most associations within Minnesota Hockey are hosting teams, either as individual associations or combined. Contact your local association to get in touch with a Girls Coordinator for more information. All girls hockey is non checking.

12 & Under (June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2012)
Girls ages 11 and 12. Offered as an alternative to peewee for girls, many associations within Minnesota Hockey are hosting teams, either as individual associations or combined. Contact your local association to get in touch with a Girls Coordinator for more information. All girls hockey is non checking. Minnesota Hockey currently hosts Region and State Tournaments at the 12U A and 12U B levels.

15 & Under (June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2010) 
Girls youth ages 13, 14 and 15. Offered as an alternative to bantam for girls, many associations within Minnesota Hockey are hosting teams, either as individual associations or combined. Contact your local association to get in touch with a Girls Coordinator for more information. All girls hockey is non checking. Minnesota Hockey currently hosts Region and State Tournaments at the 15U A and 15U B levels.

Minnesota Hockey hosts Region and State Tournaments for the 15U Girls / Bantam B, Bantam A, and Bantam AA levels. Checking.
 

How do we sign-up?

Registration for 10U Girls/Squirts, 12U/Peewees, and 15U/Bantams is July through September 17th.

 

Registration for Mites/8U and younger is open a few weeks later.

Tryouts take place typically the last week in September squirts/10U - Banatams/15U, & the first weekend in October for mites/8U. 

 

The purpose of tryouts for players in 3rd grade and older is to place your skater on an age-appropriate team with other skaters who have similar abilities,  allowing them to work with kids that are at a relatively same level of play.  

There are no "cuts". -- Mites will go through an optional evaluation to ensure skaters are grouped with like-skaters together as well.

We're looking forward to having you join us next season!

WHAT EQUIPMENT DOES MY Player NEED?

Each level requires a full set of hockey equipment to participate (see checklist).  Many starter packages can be bought at local sporting good stores that include everything but skates for a little more than $100 for new equipment. 

 

Skates – make sure your kids are properly fitted for skates.  Buying skates is much different than shoes and kids do not wear the same size as their shoe

  • Hockey Socks - Provided by the association
  • Helmet – Black helmet is preferred
  • Shin Guards
  • Supporter/cup/garter belt – these items are now integrated into one piece of equipment
  • Breezers (hockey pants)
  • Shoulder Pads
  • Elbow Pads
  • Gloves
  • Jersey - Provided by the association
  • Neck guard
  • Stick 

Water bottle and Tape (for your stick) is also recommended.

 

WHERE DO I GET THE GEAR?

If you are new to hockey, we recommend you head to a  Facebook athletic gear sites:

Cambridge Area Athletic Equipment Exchange 

Facebook Marketplace

Play it Again Sports

or loan gear from CIHA.  They will be sure to get you a Mite package that has all the safety gear your child will need and they'll make sure all the sizes fit to ensure your child is safe.  Contact our Equipment Coordinator below for help with loaner equipment.