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Learn to Skate/Learn to Play FAQ

Learn to Skate/Learn to Play (LTS/LTP)

 

For the 2023-24 Season Brewer Youth Hockey and Tim Hortons have teamed up to provide the best instructional hockey and skating development in the area.

Any questions for registration or rental gear, please contact our Registrar Jill Duplissis.

We look forward to seeing you all there!


What do You Need for Gear?

Learn To Skate / Learn To Play Gear:

Our first concern on the ice is skater safety. In the beginning young skaters will fall a lot and we find if they are wearing proper equipment it reduces the likelihood of injury, as well as providing confidence in returning to the ice each week.

 

* PLEASE NOTE: Due to the rapid growth of this program BYH has a very limited number of rental gear sets available.

 


* Hockey Helmet With Cage- No Bike helmets
* Shoulder / Elbow pads
* Hockey Pants / Or Heavy Snow Pants
*Shin Pads-Under sweat Pants / hockey socks/ Heavy Snow Pants
*Hockey Skates
* Hockey gloves
* Neck guard is recommended

If you have special gear requirements contact our registrar Jill Duplissis. Brewer Youth has rental gear available . You can also obtain gear at Gunn's Sport Shop in Brewer.

Rental Gear & Rental Gear Return

***New For 2023-24****
Our rental gear procedure has changed. When you register you will be prompted to select if you need to use rental gear for the upcoming season. If you need a full set or only parts, the deposit is the same ($100) which will be returned to you once the gear is returned ($25 is kept from the deposit for gear refurbishment/replacement). 
 
 
Rental Gear Returns-
If you have rental gear please return it after the last day of LTS/LTP that you attend.  Brewer Youth Hockey staff will be available for you to return the gear to.  Please DO NOT drop gear off at Penobscot Ice Arena to rink staff.  If for some reason you cannot return the gear after your last LTS/LTP session please contact Travis Bryant at VP@brewerhockey.org to schedule a return time.  Returning gear to non Brewer Youth Hockey staff may delay the refund of your rental payment.

My Child has completed LTP, What is their next step?

 

After your child has participated in Learn to Play (LTP) you may ask yourself what is next and is my child ready?

Talk to the on ice instructors and ask if your child is ready developmentally for one of these programs.

Atom - 4v4 cross ice hockey that introduces young players to game play. Typically begins after second session of LTS/LTP and runs for 4 weeks.

8U - 4v4 cross ice hockey for players ages 5-8. The season runs from October through February with weekly practices and games on the weekend. 8U is  separated into Mini Mites (younger or new to game play) or Mites (older or multiple years of game play)so that players can participate in an environment  that helps them develop their skills against similarly sized and development stage players.

Penobscot Ice Arena - also offers 8U age recreational leagues in the offseason (spring and summer) to give players the opportunity for additional ice time. PIO hosts several hockey camps during the summer for all ages as well.

Questions? Please feel free to contact Paul Pangburn at president@brewerhockey.org

 

 

Should I Register My Skater for 8U or Learn to Play?

Our 8U division is split into Mini-Mites and Mites. Any child who was born in 2015 or earlier is eligible for 8U. Generally a year of LTS or LTP is recommended for younger children. If your child is 7 or 8 years old and he or she would like more hockey, 8U is appropriate. The decision is personal preference. Do you want hockey one day a week or three?

My Child is 10U Age but Just Learning to Skate:

Brewer Youth Hockey provides "house hockey" for all age groups. We allow any child who would like to play on a team to sign up for the team. If you child is age appropriate and would like to play, he or she is welcome.  10U teams have two practices a week and 1 to 2 games on the weekend. The team will have games mostly north of Augusta. There will be an occasional game in the Lewiston or Portland area. If your skater is new to hockey and would like more ice time, he or she is always welcome at Learn to Skate on the weekends.

Learn to Skate Financial Assistance

Please send this form to Brewer Youth Hockey, PO Box 594, Brewer, ME  04412

Transferring to Brewer Youth Hockey

Have you recently moved to the area? Are you switching hockey organizations? A quick reminder, those skaters who are transferring from another organization must have the release form signed by the organization they are leaving by September 30th of the calendar year


Explanation of Age Groups

According to USA Hockey, players age is determined by birth year, not calendar age. A player born in January of 2001 is the same age as a player born in December of 2001.

For the 2023-2024 Season the age brackets are:

(8U): 2015 and under

(10U): 2013, 2014

 (12U): 2011, 2012

(14U): 2009, 2010

(18U): 2006-2008; or enrolled in High School


Learn to Skate Fun