October is here and the Sun Valley Youth Hockey Association (SVYH) is gearing up for its 32nd winter season of providing recreational ice hockey for kids ages 5-18.
Weekday practices begin Wednesday, Oct. 24 and continue through March 13, 2008. The SVYH Board of Directors has worked hard to make sure that tuitions at all levels will remain the same as last year.
New to the SVYH program are Wednesday night non-checking fun games at Sun Valley Skating Center for girls (ages 11-19), Squirts (9-10), Peewees (11-12), Bantam (13-14) and Midget (15-18) age levels.
The once-a-week non-checking games follow the Idaho State Affiliate (IAHA) guidelines for standard programs that require one day per week of fundamentals practices and one no-check Game Day per week.
As always, SVYH will also continue to field competitive teams at every level (except the youngest Mites) that will travel to tournaments in the Intermountain region.
Traditionally the biggest groups in the program are the coed Mini Mites (ages 5-6, tuition $300 if paid after Sept. 30) and Mitey Mites (7-8, $345). They focus on skill development during 90-minute practices Tuesday evenings and they have games Saturdays at the indoor rink.
Loaner equipment (for 10-and-under kids) and scholarships for all qualified applicants will be offered.
New executive administrator is Wendy Crosby, replacing Nancy Zanes. On the 2007-08 SVYH board are president Mike Hanley, vice president Dave Hennessy and board members Kathy Carson, Bob Crosby, Rich Evans, Chad Jenner, Craig Levitan, Kelly Martin, Bill Mason, Pat McMahon and John Miller.
Junior hockey's major fundraiser each year is the sale of outdoor holiday decorations, better known as the Christmas wreath sale. This year's goal is to see 2,500 wreaths, about 15 per player. Orders must be submitted by Nov. 7. There are prizes for the kids who sell the most wreaths.
Here are some basic details about the volunteer-run organization:
Squirts (coed) $475 tuition, practices Mondays 5:10-6:25 p.m. and games Thursdays 5:10-6:10 p.m. Squirt travel teams practice 9-10 a.m. Saturday (additional fee of $125 for ice time, travel team fees are more).
Peewees (boys) $635, practices Mondays 5:35-6:50 p.m. and games Wednesdays 6:20-7:20 p.m. Peewee travel teams practice Wednesdays from 5:10-6:10 p.m. ($125 more for ice time, travel team fees are more).
Bantams (boys) $635, practices Mondays 7:00-8:15 p.m. and games Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. Bantam travel teams practice Thursdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. ($125 more for ice time, travel team fees are additional)
Midgets (boys) $635, practices Mondays 7:25-8:40 p.m. and games Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. Midget travel teams practice Tuesdays from 8:25-9:25 p.m. ($125 more for ice time, travel team fees are additional).
Girls $635, practices Tuesdays 7:00-8:15 p.m. and games Wednesdays 6:20-8:30 p.m. The girls' travel teams practice Thursdays from 6:20-7:20 p.m. ($125 more for ice time, travel team fees are additional).
Those who register for the program will also have to pay, in addition to SVYH tuition, a one-time $30 USA Hockey annual registration fee. You must register online at usahockeyregistration.com to begin the initial registration process.
For a registration packet contact Wendy Crosby at svyh@cox.net or 788-8567. Packets are available at Windemere Real Estate offices in Hailey and Ketchum. Visit the Website at SunValleyYouthHockey.com.
