Welcome to Middleton Youth Hockey! Whether you're brand new to hockey or have been around the rink for years, we're here to help.

If you can't find an answer below, please email info@middletonyouthhockey.com.

How do I register my child for hockey?

MYH offers hockey programs throughout the year. When registration is open, select Registration at the top of our website and choose the appropriate program.

Not sure which program is right for your player? Start with our Youth Hockey Levels page or contact us. We're happy to help.

What age level should my child play?

Players generally register according to their birth year and USA Hockey age classification.

Our primary hockey levels are:

Learn to Play: Ages 3–6; new skaters

Jumpstart!: Ages 7–12; new hockey players

6U Termites: Ages 5–6

8U Mites: Ages 7–8

10U Squirts: Ages 9–10

12U Peewees: Ages 11–12

14U Bantams: Ages 13–14

18U Eagles: High-school-aged players

Visit our Youth Hockey Levels page for more information.

My child has never played hockey. Is it too late to start?

No! Kids discover hockey at all different ages. A player who is new to the sport may need some patience and extra skating time, but there is absolutely a place for beginners in our club.

For ages 3–6, Learn to Play is the best starting point for most new skaters. For ages 7–12, Jumpstart! provides an introduction to skating and hockey fundamentals before players enter their regular age-level program.

If you're not sure where to start, contact us. We'll help you find the right entry point.

My child doesn't know how to skate. Where should they start?

For ages 3–6, Learn to Play is generally the better starting point for new skaters. Players who already have some skating experience and are comfortable moving around the ice may be ready for 6U Termites.

For older beginners, Jumpstart! is designed to build the skating and hockey foundation needed to enter regular age-level hockey. There's no need to rush. Players develop at different rates.

 If you're unsure, ask us. We can help you find the right fit.

Can my child move from Learn to Play into 6U during the season?

Yes. Players develop at different rates. A Learn to Play player may be ready for 6U during the season as their skating confidence and basic skills develop. There's no required number of Learn to Play sessions.

I didn't grow up playing hockey. How am I supposed to navigate all of this?

You're not alone; many MYH families are new to hockey. You don't need to understand every rule, piece of equipment, or hockey tradition on day one. You'll learn quickly, and our community is here to help.

Start with our New to Youth Hockey? resources, ask questions, and don't be afraid to tell us you're new.

Do parents need to know how to skate?

No—but if you're comfortable on skates, Learn to Play is a great opportunity to get involved on the ice.

You don't need to be an expert hockey player to help young kids learn. At the youngest levels, we need adults who can keep kids safe, engaged, and having fun.

How can I volunteer?

MYH is run by volunteers. We need coaches, team managers, game volunteers, board members, event helpers, equipment volunteers, and many others.

Visit our Volunteering page to learn more.

Do I have to coach?

No. Coaching is continuously one of our biggest needs, but there are many ways to contribute that don't involve coaching. Whatever your skills or interests, there's probably a way you can help.

Are there volunteer-hour requirements?

MYH has a volunteer commitment program for families at applicable age levels (8U and older). Details, including current requirements and the volunteer fee, are provided during registration.

What equipment does my child need?

Players need full hockey equipment appropriate for their age level.

MYH offers rental equipment for our youngest players, which can make getting started much easier.

If you're new to hockey, we recommend talking with our Equipment Director before purchasing everything.

Where can I learn more about equipment?

Our Dressing Your Hockey Player resource explains what players need and how to get dressed for hockey.

Where can we skate outside of team practices?

Additional skating is a great way for young players to become more comfortable on the ice.

Check our Local Open Skates & Rink Directory for local opportunities.

How much should I push my child to practice?

Probably less than you think. Young players develop best when they want to play. Encourage your child, celebrate improvement, and provide opportunities to skate and play—but let coaches handle hockey instruction.

What should we focus on at the younger age levels?

Look for:

🏒 Is my child having fun?

🏒 Are they becoming more confident?

🏒 Are they learning to skate?

🏒 Are they trying new things?

🏒 Are they making friends?

🏒 Do they want to come back?

Those are much better measures of early hockey development than goals, assists, wins, or team placement.

What can I do at home to help my player?

Make hockey fun. Skate together. Play mini-sticks. Try roller hockey. Shoot pucks. Watch hockey together.

And let your child play other sports. The best development environment is one where kids want to keep playing.

What is MYH trying to accomplish?

We want to help kids fall in love with hockey, grow in confidence and character, and develop a lifelong connection to the game.

That means creating an environment where players can learn, compete, make mistakes, develop friendships, and enjoy coming to the rink.

Does MYH prioritize development or winning?

Development comes first. Winning is part of hockey, and competition is important, but especially with younger players, we don't want short-term results to drive long-term development.

We want players to become better skaters, better decision-makers, better teammates, and more confident athletes.

Why does MYH emphasize practices and skill development?

Young players need opportunities to move, touch the puck, make decisions, experiment, and play.

Our coaches use small-area games, stations, skill activities, and other developmentally appropriate approaches to maximize those opportunities.

Games are important, but they are one part of development—not the entire experience.

Why does MYH use age-level practices before forming teams?

At several age levels, we intentionally begin the season with players practicing together as an age-level group before forming teams.

This gives coaches more time to understand each player, allows players to work with different teammates and coaches, and keeps the early season focused on individual development rather than team systems.

It also gives families more flexibility around fall sports, school, and other commitments by pushing assessments back a little.

Does MYH support multi-sport athletes?

Absolutely. We believe young athletes benefit from participating in multiple sports and activities.

Our hockey programs are designed to support the development of the whole athlete—not to require hockey to be a year-round commitment from a young age.

How are players assigned to teams?

At applicable age levels (14U - 8U), MYH conducts development assessments to understand each player's current abilities and place them in an appropriately challenging environment. The goal isn't to rank kids. It's to create teams where players can learn, contribute, compete, and continue developing.

Our assessment process considers the player's overall development and the needs of the teams and age level. Learn more on our Development Assessments & Team Assignment page.

When are teams formed?

Timing varies by age level.

Younger players generally spend more time practicing and developing together before teams are formed. At older levels, assessments and team formation occur earlier.

We intentionally avoid forming teams earlier than necessary. There is value in keeping players together while coaches learn about them and players continue developing.

Who assesses the players?

MYH uses a combination of trained volunteer coaches, experienced hockey evaluators/assessors, and other qualified hockey personnel as appropriate for the age level.

We work to create a fair, consistent, and development-focused process while minimizing conflicts of interest.

What if my child misses an assessment?

Please contact the appropriate Age Level Director as soon as possible.

If a player is injured or otherwise unable to participate, we'll work to provide an appropriate opportunity to assess them when they're ready.

Can my child play up an age level?

Players are required to participate at their designated age level.

In limited circumstances, MYH may consider a request for a player to move to an older age level. Any decision should be based on the player's development, readiness, and what environment will best support the player and the affected teams.

Does my child have to choose whether to be a goalie at a young age?

No. MYH wants more young players to have the opportunity to experience goaltending.

At 8U and 10U, players can explore the position without feeling that they need to commit to being a full-time goalie from a young age.

How does goalie development work at older levels?

Goaltending is a unique position and requires specialized development. MYH is working to provide our goalies with regular goalie-specific development opportunities, while also ensuring they participate fully in team practices and game situations.

At 10U, 12U, and 14U, goalies participate in both goalie-specific and team-based development. We want to build confident, athletic, adaptable goalies who enjoy the position and continue developing their skills.

What if my player wants to play both goalie and skater?

At younger levels, players are encouraged to experience both.

At older levels, dual-position opportunities can be considered based on the player's development, team needs, and the overall goalie environment.

Still Have Questions?

We're happy to help! General questions: info@middletonyouthhockey.com

You can also find more information throughout our Parent Resources.

Welcome to Middleton Youth Hockey. We're glad you're here!