About Our Program

BANGOR YOUTH HOCKEY PROGRAMS
2010- 2011

Bangor Youth Hockey’s season generally begins in October with evaluations at each level to pick teams.   Regular season play generally begins the last weekend in October or first weekend in November and ends in February/March with end-of-season tournaments.     All BYH teams participate in our annual Friendship Tournaments, as well as other tournaments the teams may choose to participate in.     

 

All of the BYH teams are coed and we have a Girls Only program too.    Follow this link for additional information about our Girls program.

 

Learn-to-Play Program (generally 12 and under):

 

This is BYH’s entry-level hockey program for children with little or no prior hockey experience.  Learn-to-Skate programs are offered by several local organizations including the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department. Children are encouraged to complete one of those programs prior to enrolling in Bangor Youth Hockey.

Learn to Play coaches work with children to develop the basics of hockey skating technique. As the season progresses and skaters become more adept, they are introduced to the basics of puck control, passing, and shooting. During the final few sessions of the season, players will have the opportunity to play non-competitive 3-on-3 cross-ice games against other children of similar size and skill-level.

 

The sessions are generally held on Saturdays for one hour.   Skaters must be registered

with USA Hockey and with BYH prior to taking the ice.

 

 

Atoms (generally 6 and under):

 

The Atoms program is for children ages 6 and under or older children who are new to hockey. Participants must be able to skate independently without the use of a “skatemate”, holding on to the wall, or with the assistance of an adult. Completion of the BYH Learn to Play program is recommended. Atoms generally have two one-hour sessions each week, one of which will be a cross-ice game against players of similar  skill levels. There is no scorekeeping during Atoms games. The  majority of Atoms events are held at Sawyer Arena, but an occasional event may be held at another arena.

 

 

Mites (7 and 8 year olds – birth year 2002 and younger):

           

The Mite program is for 7 and 8 year-olds who have developed at least basic skating skills.   Six year-old players may be considered according to the number of players qualified to play and the experience level of the player in question. Players are not required to have prior hockey experience, but prior participation in the Atoms program is encouraged. Mites have roughly a 2:1 ratio of practices/skills clinics to games and play cross-ice games against other Mite teams from Bangor and surrounding areas. At the start of each season, BYH holds evaluations for Mite players and divides its Mites into teams of roughly equivalent talent.

 

Mites are typically exposed to roughly 25-35 practices/skills clinics and 15-20 games, excluding tournament play. House program fees are fixed at the beginning each season. House games are generally scheduled from late-October through February, with tournaments carrying the season into March or early-April.

 

Mighty Mites:

 

The supplemental Mighty Mites program is intended for 7 and 8 year-olds with greater skill and interest who desire to skate at a more competitive level. Mighty Mites is a team comprised of players from the house teams that are selected in a tryout. Players are selected for the team based on skill level, however some preference is given to eight year olds. Mighty Mites play other equivalent teams from around Maine. Some travel is involved.    Mighty Mites games are a full-ice game.

 

Squirts (10 and under; birth year 2000-2001) ~  Pee Wees (12 and under; birth years 1998 and 1999) ~ Bantams (age 14 and under; birth years 1996 and 1997)

 

Bangor Youth Hockey offers a Tier IV (house) program for Squirts, Pee Wees and Bantams.  The goal of house level hockey is to provide players with an opportunity to develop skills and play games at a recreational level.  Bangor Youth Hockey schedules games against other area teams of comparable skill and ability. Most regular season house games are played within one hour of Bangor. Because House level hockey is intended to be recreational in nature, Bangor Youth Hockey has an "equal" play policy. Players can expect that, with limited exceptions, he/she will play as often as his/her teammates and coaches are not permitted to regularly allow certain players a disproportionate amount of ice time during games. Coaches are given the discretion to make exceptions to the “equal” play policy during the final two minutes of games. Squirt, Pee Wee & Bantam House players are typically exposed to roughly 30-40 practices/skills clinics and 16-20 games, excluding tournament play.