Cross Ice Hockey

What is Cross Ice Hockey?

A program designed to further develop hockey skills and competitive team play for players ages 7 and under. Team sizes are smaller (8-11 players per team) which means there will be a smaller coach-to-player ratio. Coaches can focus on practicing skating skills, puck control, stick-handling, positioning, passing and shooting.

Cross Ice Hockey is designed to accelerate the development of an individual player's core ice hockey skills (skating, stick handling, passing and shooting) in a team oriented setting while keeping a fun and positive atmosphere on the ice.

How does it work?

Each week will consist of an hour-long organized practice along with another ice slot for games. The program will run for 10 weeks in both the fall and winter. Officials are used on game days just like regular hockey games. The emphasis will be on FUN for all players while developing players? core hockey skills.

The game is played ACROSS the width of one zone (See diagram to the right). It is played 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 as opposed to 5 skaters a side. Goalies and referees are used for games.

Is Cross Ice Hockey New?

Cross Ice Hockey has been around for years in Europe, Canada and the Northern United States. The rapid pace and repetition allows skills to develop at a much faster pace as players are skating a length of ice that is 85 feet as opposed to 200 feet.

Why should my son/daughter play Cross Ice Hockey?

USA Hockey has mandated that beginning with the 2004-05 season, all teams ages 8 and under are required to run a cross ice program. The reasoning behind it is simple. Playing in smaller areas allows each player to experience:

• MORE touches of the puck per player
• MORE shooting, passing and scoring opportunities
• MORE quick changes in direction, improving skating skills
• MORE action for goaltenders due to increased shooting
• LESS stopping of play allowing for MORE game action and fun

Schedule and Fees

• Fall and Winter are 10-week programs.
• Practices and games will be played at these times:
  Saturday, 9:45 -10:45 a.m (Fall), 10:30 -11:30 a.m. (Winter), Gold Arena
  Sunday, 7:45-8:45 a.m., Rust Arena
• Participants must have completed at least Hockey 1 in the instructional program or a comparable class to be eligible for Cross Ice Hockey.
• Full equipment is required Helmet with cage and mouthguard, shoulder & elbow pads, gloves, protective cup, hockey pants, shin guards, skates, stick & hockey socks.

Summer Cross Ice Hockey