Important Dates
In an effort to proactively communicate dates as early as possible, we have outlined the following key dates. Please understand, there may be adjustments.
This page is intended to provide information for Mite/8U players and their families. Please refer back to this page often for new information.
Are you looking for a way to help out the association and get some volunteer (dibs) credits?
Reach out to the Mite/8U Directors regarding the following roles.
EPHA implemented the Mite/8U leveling structure in 2018-2019 after a long planning process including: input from parents and coaches, board discussions, researching trends in other youth hockey associations and collaborating with hockey experts to determine the best way to serve the youngest members of our association. Players will benefit by being matched with kids their own age with similar skill levels. It will also allow coaches to better meet the needs of their players and run more effective and efficient practices. All levels have balanced teams, with the exception of 8U 3 and Mite 4 which will consist of 2 tiered teams: intermediate and advanced.
See the Mite/8U levels below. If you have any questions about the appropriate level for your child, please contact the Mite Director.
Level | Guidelines | Fees |
---|---|---|
8U 1 | players new to hockey in K-1st grade | first year of 8U | $400 |
8U 2 | players with 1-2 years previous 8U experience | primarily 1st graders and 2nd & 3rd graders new to hockey | $400 |
8U 3 | players with 2-3 years previous 8U experience | primarily 2nd-3rd graders, based on evaluations | $700 |
Level | Guidelines | Fees |
---|---|---|
Mite 1 | players new to hockey in K-1st grade | first year of Mites | $400 |
Mite 2 | players with 1 year previous Mites experience | primarily 1st graders and 2nd graders new to hockey | $400 |
Mite 3 | players with 1-3 years previous Mites experience | primarily 2nd-3rd graders and 3rd graders new to hockey | $700 |
Mite 4 | players with 2-3 years of previous Mites experience | 2nd-3rd graders, based on evaluations (1st Graders are not eligible) | $700 |
Welcome to our new EPHA players and families! Please review the information below for answers to many of your questions.
Mite/8U Parent Meeting:
We typically have a Mite/8U parent meeting in early October. Please plan to have at least one person from your household attend this important meeting. There will be lots of valuable information about the upcoming season!
Preseason Clinics:
Preseason clinics are the kick off to the season and begin in October. These are hour long sessions, led by volunteer coaches.
Evaluations & Team Assignments - Mite 3 and Mite 4 Boys & 8U 3 Girls:
Mite 3 and 4 boys and 8U 3 girls will participate in a graded skills evaluations and scrimmage in October to determine their assignment to a team. Level assignments are based strictly on the results of evaluations.
Teams Placement:
Team Assignments will be posted to the Mite/8U page on ephockey.com. Players will stay with their assigned team for the entire season.
Mite/8U 1&2:
Mite 3&4 /8U3:
Registration will ultimately dictate the number of teams EPHA is able to field at any of our Mite/8U levels. Changes to the number of forcasted teams are at the discretion of the EPHA Board and subject to change at any time.
Teammate Requests:
Mite / 8U 1 & 2: We will take teammate requests into consideration but cannot make any guarantees. We understand that playing with friends can ease anxiety and help kids feel comfortable, especially at the beginning of the season and will do our best to make sure each player has a friend on his/her team whenever possible. Our goal is to create balanced teams at each level and there are many variables to consider. During registration, you may submit up to 3 names of children at the same level who your child would like to have on his/her team with the notion that we will try to match them up with one of these players. Do not rank the list, all of them will be assumed to be equally acceptable.
Mite 3&4 / 8U3: Requests for specific teammates are not accepted at these levels as players may request friends who do not evaluate at the same level.
Season Schedules:
Team schedules for the first month will be available when teams are posted. The schedule for the rest of the season will be posted on a monthly basis. The season starts the end of October and runs through early March.
Games:
Mite/8U 1 & 2 - We will designate specific days for “games” between the two Mite/8U level 1 &2 teams sharing the ice. Games usually occur on Sundays but may be scheduled on other days depending on ice times.
Mite/8U 3 & Mite 4 - In-house games will begin in December, typically as cross-ice games. Beginning mid-January, teams will play games against other nearby associations.
Outdoor Ice:
Outdoor ice will begin in January and run until the city closes the outdoor rinks (mid to late February). Each team will be assigned to a park and will have ice allocated to them on 2 weeknights: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday at 6:00pm or 7:00pm for an hour. Please note: These are very laid back, totally optional and frequently get cancelled due to weather.
Practice Locations:
Teams will practice at both of the following locations during the season:
Fundraising and Required Volunteer Hours:
Dibs
Volunteer hours are claimed through the ‘Dibs’ tab on the EPHA website. You will be notified by email when Dibs are posted. There are many opportunities to volunteer and earn your volunteer hours (e.g., Coaching, Team Manager, assisting at EP hosted tournaments including: running the clock, managing the penalty box or helping in the tournament office). Occasionally, there will be special opportunities to volunteer for Mite/8U and Growth events (Mite Day, Try Hockey for Free, Rookie Camp, World Girls Hockey Day, etc.)that will be included in communications from the Mite Director
Buyout/Penalty:
Exemptions: Mite/8U 3 and Mite 4 Coaches and Team Managers are exempt from the volunteer requirement. 1 Head Coach and 2 Assistant Coaches will be exempt from each team. If there are more than 2 Assistant Coaches, the Head Coach will receive 12 hours to distribute among the assistants. If a manager position is shared, each person will receive a 3 hour credit.
Parent Involvement:
There are a variety of ways that parents can support the kids and their coaches:
Please ALWAYS remember: Fun is the number one priority and friendly, positive and supportive are the key words.
Equipment:
All players must wear required equipment and protective gear.
Mite Director
8U Director
Mite/8U Commissioner