Meramec Sharks Youth Ice Hockey Association

Meramec Hockey Club uses USA Hockey’s Hockey Initiation Program (H.I.P.) as our Learn to Play Hockey program for our youngest skaters. This program is designed to introduce boys and girls that are 4-7 years old to the sport of ice hockey.  Our club provides a fun and age-appropriate program at a reasonable cost.  Development focuses on learning to skate and basic hockey skills at an appropriate pace.

There is no previous skating experience necessary!

We use a station format and work on all skating and stick handling skills necessary to advance to game play.  Our program develops the players' skills in preparation for recreational and league teams in the future.  We occasionally use small cross-ice games during the session to keep the young skaters interested.

Program Details:   We expect to have approximately 80 to 100 skaters in our fall HIP program.  The players will be taught basic hockey skills by several certified coaches during one of usually 2 session times.  For the first couple of weeks, the coaches will evaluate each player’s ability level.  Then, your child will be placed in the appropriate session that corresponds to their ability level.   We place the beginners in one session (this session is usually comprised of our younger players and/or our first year HIP players) and the more experienced players in the other session (this session is usually comprised of our older players and/or 2^nd year players).

On the last day of the program, we let the children experience playing in an actual hockey game against one another.  It’s quite a treat for the families to watch!  Also, it is an opportunity for the players to show off the hockey skills that they have learned throughout the session.  Following the game, we celebrate their progress with a recognition ceremony complete with individual trophies and a snack!

Location and Dates:   18 one-hour sessions will be held on Saturday mornings beginning October 27^th at the Shark Tank Ice Rink at All-American Sports Complex located at 11133 Lindbergh Business Court near Hwy. 55 and Lindbergh Blvd.  The players will be separated into two sessions based on their last name.  This information will also be posted on the website.