When a new hockey player takes the ice for the first time, it’s the first step on a magical journey that lasts a lifetime. NHL Superstar Wayne Gretzky said, “The only way a kid is going to practice is if it’s total fun for him…and it was for me.” One generation later, phenom Sidney Crosby echoed: “I have been practicing since I was 4 or 5 years old, but that wasn't really practice. I was just having fun.... I just loved to play hockey.”
The Mighty Mites program is that first step for our local hockey-players-to-be. Based around this exact concept of motivation through fun, players learn fundamental skills in context. Mighty Mites takes traditional skating lessons to the next level, integrating fun and exciting games in all practices. Players learn to skate, pass, and shoot by playing innovative conceptual games where nobody is left standing still. The skills featured in the comprehensive curriculum range from falling safely and getting up to skating fundamentals and stick skills like passing and shooting.
Players are safely padded, head-to-toe. Not only does this protect against bumps and bruises, but it enables new skaters to attempt difficult skills with the confidence that falling is OK. This shortens the learning curve significantly. The best part about it is the skates and protective gear are provided FREE of charge. All your player needs to get started is a hockey stick. The excellent ratio of coaches-to-players provides one coach for every 8 or 9 players.
The success of the program speaks for itself: in the 2006-2007 season it grew from 7 eager players to 24 energetic competitors. 10 players graduated into the Jr. Summits League, and already in the ’07-’08 season, the program has jumped from a core of 14 to become 35 determined young athletes. Word-of-mouth enthusiasm brings in new players weekly, and it’s never too late to get started.
The
Mighty Mites skate together Thursdays at 5:00 pm and Saturdays
at 8:30 am. The current ten-week session will continue through
March 15.
The next session starts April 3. It will be 8 weeks long, and
the times will change as follows: Thursdays 5:00-5:45 and Saturdays
9:45-10:30. Cost is $70.
Contact John Hardy for more information. (541)770-1177 x 102 or john-hardy@therrrink.com |
