General Questions...
Q:Where can I play Ice Hockey in Central Arkansas?
A: The teams of the Arkansas Hockey Association are based at the Arkansas Skatium located at 1311 Bowman Rd in Little Rock.
Click here for map.
Q:What are the age groups for hockey?
A: Boys and girls can start playing hockey almost as soon as they can get up on skates! Age groups are as follows:
Mini-Mite - 6 and under (as of Jan 1 each year)
Mite - 8 and under (as of Jan 1 each year)
Squirt - 10 and under (as of Jan 1 each year)
PeeWee - 12 and under (as of Jan 1 each year)
Bantam - 14 and under (as of Jan 1 each year)
Midget - 18 and under (as of Jan 1 each year)
Adult - 18 and over
There are many young players who achieved great success but didn't start playing until age 11 or 12. Our emphasis at all levels is teaching hockey, not winning at all costs.
One of the main concerns of prospective hockey parents is the physical nature of the sport. While there are some risks to playing hockey at all levels, at the Mini-Mite, Mite and Squirt levels intentional body checking is not allowed. There are inevitable collisions on the ice, but we do not allow any children to step on the ice without a complete set of equipment.
Q:What hockey programs do you provide?
A: The AHA provides house and travel hockey programs.
Q:Is tournament participation required? Is it included in the fees?
A: Tournament participation is encouraged at all levels. Fees for tournaments are generally paid separately from registration fees and are dependent on participation and team scheduling.
Q:My daughter is interested in playing hockey. Does AHA have girls-only teams?
A: No, the AHA does not have any girls-only teams. However, girls are welcome to play at all levels. At the Mini-Mite, Mite and Squirt level, which are non-checking levels, there is not a large difference between the abilities/capabilities of the boys and girls, and you will frequently find girls on these teams. Girls can also continue to play at the checking level (Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget). If you have concerns about your daughter playing on a team, please contact any of our board members and we can put you in touch with the parents of one or more of the girls that play on our teams to answer your questions.
Q:How long is the hockey season?
A: Practice starts in October and the season ends in the March/April time frame depending on the exact game schedule for your team.
Getting Start in Hockey...
Q:Do I need to know how to skate?
A: We do require players to have basic skating skills before they can join a team. A coach will evaluate basic skating skills of your child. Check with a coach if you have any questions regarding your child’s skating ability. It is highly recommended that a child interested in playing hockey participate in a beginning hockey class to learn the basics of skating before they register for a team. However, this is not mandatory and we will generally put all interested players on a team provided they meet the basic skating requirements of the coaches.
Q:I’m getting ready to attend my first ice hockey instructional class. What equipment do I need?
A: First call and ask the rink what equipment you need. Usually they will have skates and a helmet you can rent for a small fee (much cheaper than buying both just to find out if you’ll like the sport). You will need a stick with a wooden or fiberglass blade (plastic blades crack very easily). So a stick, skates and helmet are essentials.
You should also wear knee and elbow pads and gloves of some sort. The pads will keep you from hurting yourself if you fall (and you will). Hockey gloves are ideal but expensive, so if you choose not to buy them at least wear winter gloves, so when you fall your hands won’t freeze. Padded shorts are nice, but again expensive if you’re not serious about the sport.
Q:Is a mouth guard required?
A: Yes. It is always safer to wear a mouth guard. Even if you can’t get hit in the mouth, you can still bite your tongue or crunch your teeth when you fall or get checked. Start wearing a mouth guard at an early age and you will get used to it very fast and your teeth will be safer in the long run.
Q:What type of helmet do I need?
A: You will need a regulation hockey helmet with either a clear plastic face-mask or metal cage. The most important thing is to make sure the helmet is certified. There will be a certification sticker on the helmet.
Q:Where can I find information on hockey classes?
A: The Arkansas Skatium offers skating and beginning hockey classes all through the year. It is highly recommended that a child interested in playing hockey participate in these classes to learn the basics of skating before they register for a team. This is not mandatory and we will generally put all interested players on a team provided they meet the basic skating requirements of the coaches.
House Hockey...
Q:What is house hockey?
A: House Hockey is intended to provide recreational and developmental level hockey for players of all ages. In order to provide regular league games we are currently associated with the Memphis House league.
Q:What house teams do we have?
A: We currently have only mite house teams. Typically we have a complete range of house teams from mini-mite through Midget depending on participation.
Q:How often do house teams practice?
A: Each team practices twice a week. Practice nights depend on the age group. Check with your team manager or coach for more details.
Q:Is there travel involved?
A: Yes. As part of our participation in the Memphis House League we travel to Memphis for games about once a month during the season. Trips generally require a one-night hotel stay. We also travel occasionally to play games against house teams in Springdale, Tulsa etc and participate in additional tournaments throughout the season both at home and on the road.
Q:How much will this cost me?
A: AHA registration fees are $100 plus $5 Kroger card fee which buys you a Kroger gift card that can then be used for ongoing fundraising for the Association. Ice fees for practice time vary depending on the rink and time slots available. Check with your team manager for details.
Travel Hockey...
Q:What is travel hockey?
A: Travel Hockey is intended to provide competitive hockey for more experienced players. The AHA travel teams are known as the Arkansas Chaos and compete at the Tier II level against teams from across our region playing in the Southern Youth Hockey League. The goal of the AHA travel division is to provide the highest quality competitive hockey program possible and our coaches are committed to creating the best travel hockey program in the state.
Q:What travel teams do we have?
A: This year we have Squirt, Peewee, Bantam and Midget teams. We would like to have teams at other age levels but obviously this depends on the number of players that try-out for each age group.
Q:What is the format of the Southern Youth Hockey League?
A: The typical SYHL format consists of one round robin tournament at each teams location. Four teams travel to each host location to make up a 5 team round robin weekend. If there are more than 5 teams in a division the teams furthest from the host location will typically get a bye to reduce the overall travel required. Then we visit the other team locations to reciprocate. All teams will play an equal number of games over the length of the season. Each weekend is a 4 game guarantee.
Q:Is travel hockey more expensive?
A: When you think of "travel", the word "money" usually comes to mind. With a small program like we have here in Arkansas all of our teams have to be willing to travel to get games against other teams. However, with the SYHL round-robin format the travel team gets to play quality opponents with only 4 out-of-town league trips so the cost is kept to a minumum. The SYHL round-robin league tournaments are usually scheduled to start after 12pm on Saturdays so it is often only necessary to have a one-night hotel stay depending on driving distance. You will also find that plenty of parents are willing to take your player if you can't make a trip.
Q:How much travel is involved?
A: In addition to SYHL weekends, we also add additional games and tournaments if the parents and players are interested and we try to limit trips to around a 5/6-hour driving range as much as possible.
Q:Does travel hockey take up more time?
A: The travel teams practice twice a week, same as the house teams. Travel team practices are currently Monday and Thursday nights. While all coaches understand that academics come first, every player is expected to commit to attending practice and games to the fullest extent possible. Players are also expected to be dressed, on the ice and ready to begin drills, at the designated start time to maximize ice time. Players should contact their coach ahead of time to let them know of any conflicts that will prevent them attending practise or game weekends.
Q:This is competitive hockey, how much playing time will my child get?
A: Playing time at the travel team level is not equal for all players. Playing time will depend on a variety of factors including ability, commitment to practices and the strength of the opposition. However, your child will get every opportunity to earn ice time.
Q:How do I get my child playing at this level?
A: The opportunity to play at this level is open to everyone in the Arkansas Hockey Association but participation at this level is typically based on try-outs held prior to the season. If you are interested in having your child play travel hockey either this season or future seasons, please contact our Travel Director, Paul Petrarca.
Q:How much will this cost me?
A: AHA registration fees are the same as the house program. Ice fees for practice time vary depending on the rink and time slots available. Check with your team manager for details.
Adult Hockey...
Q:I am an adult beginner or I have not played for many years and I don't feel that I am ready for adult league. Is there a good place for me to start and learn?
A: For adult beginners, we now have the Rusty Blades which is a novice co-ed team. Most of the Rusty Blades are learning to skate and play hockey as adults, although we do have a couple of people who are getting back into the sport after playing as a kid several years ago. We are a very patient, encouraging and accepting bunch of people, so if you want to come out and try it, come on out! There is even extra equipment available in the pro-shop at the rink to loan to you whenever you come. Some of our players do occasionally travel to play other Instructional League or D-League teams but we sometimes have scrimmages during our Tuesday night practices as well as skating drills for those who want to get to play without having to travel. The Rusty Blades practice Tuesday nights from 7:45pm to 8:45pm. Practice cost is $15 payable in the pro-shop to the rink. Email RustyBlades@ArkansasHockey.org for more information or visit our website at www.RustyBladesHockey.net.
Q:What is the level of play in the adult league?
A: We have all levels and ages of players and we draft rosters accordingly in order to have competitive teams. You should know how to skate and play basic hockey. If you have questions about your skating ability contact Jim Sculley or Neil Deininger. Alternatively come out and watch a game. This is recreational hockey, we play for fun and we all have to work tomorrow.
Q:What rules are used in the adult league?
A: The adult league is "no-check" but slapshots are allowed. We follow USA Hockey rules and fighting is not tolerated. Games are full three 20 minute periods with officials. Jerseys are furnished by the association.
Q:When are adult league games played?
A: Games are played on Tuesday and Thursday nights starting at 8:45pm. Teams rotate between Tuesday and Thursday night games.
Q:What is the minimum age for participation in the adult league?
A: Players of Midget age level and above are welcome to participate in the adult league.
Q:How long is the season?
A: We skate year round with three seasons divided into fall, winter/spring and summer. We also play occasional pickup games and tournaments as well as hosting out of town teams and playing some limited away games.
Q:How are the rosters determined?
A: We draft from all available registered players to try to have equal and competitive teams.
Q:How many people participate in adult hockey in Little Rock?
A: About 60-70, enough for a 4 team league.
Q:Are women allowed to participate in the adult league?
A: Yes. We have women playing in the adult league and we encourage more participation. In addition, there is a Women and Girls only hockey practice on Monday nights from 7:15 to 8:15 pm.
Q:How much does the adult league cost?
A: Annual dues are $50 for the year (September 1 - August 31). Ice and referee fees are $20/game pay-as-you-go, or you can get a 10 game pass for $150.
Give Me More Information...
Q:Who can I contact to get more information?
A: Brad Scott, AHA Webmaster
Q:Who can I contact to register?
A: Sandy Groves, AHA Registrar