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Mite Development Program

Great for Learn to Skate program graduates, or for kids who can skate and want to learn the game of hockey. 

 

Mite Development Program - FUN IS #1!

Go Whalers!

MDP 2013-14 Logo

Mite Development Program Description

The Mite Development Program (MDP) objective is to create an environment that fosters better development for our 5 to 8 year-olds during a critical period of their maturation. Our program will utilize USA Hockey’s ADM (American Developmental Model) which is a scientifically based initiative that focuses on long-term athlete development. Research has also shown that by focusing on developing hockey skills, kids develop confidence, creativity and have more fun playing hockey!

 

Additionally USA Hockey Certified Coaching is a requirement. The program offers and scientifically researched practice plans from USA Hockey’s ADM. 

In a cross-ice and station-based environment, a player’s activity level skyrockets which results in better skills development and love of the game. Drills are designed to focus on multiple skills and situations, increasing time with the puck and situational repetition. It’s been proven that kids who begin their hockey training in this environment develop a better and enjoy the game more.

 

Contact David Guerriero  with questions about the program.

 

Questions about registration, please contact the Whaler's Registrar

TOP 5 INSPIRATIONS TO SIGN UP FOR MDP

5) NCYHA's MDP was profiled on USAHockey.com as a model Mite program last year.  Read the article and watch the video by clicking here

4)  Cross-ice hockey is proven by USA Hockey's scientific research as the best for U8 (and older in fact) hockey players.  Click here for the big rink video or here for a short reminder article about why cross ice. 

3) To see a fun clip of one of our MDP practices at St Georges to get you fired up...click here - I love the part where coach Sean falls at the end.

2) MDP focuses on FUN first and skill development second...fortunately those two things go hand in hand.  Mites learn and develop the most when they are loving what they are doing.

1) The MDP focuses on affordable ice time; your child will have the best hockey experience available and you will even save some gas by not driving all over the region to get that experience.


American Development Model

2025-26 Season MDP PHOTOS!

Check out the future tendies!

Brick walls in their future!


Dressing Your Goaltender: Click to watch a video from USA Hockey


Dressing your hockey player. Click to watch a video from USA Hockey

Dull Skates?

Places to get skates sharpened in RI

USA HOCKEY PARENTS GUIDE. Equipment, Rules, Etc. Check out this guide for answers to all your hockey questions! 

USA Hockey Players and Parents Guide; All things hockey!

USA Hockey Players and Parents Guide. Rules, Equipment, etc.

2025-2026 Schedule

October 19th-Early March 2026

Thursdays 5:45pm until Mid-november, then start time will move to 6:45pM

Saturdays and Sundays 8-8:50am

 

Click here to Check the main calendar and filter by your group.

 

You will also be able to see in the sports engine app the schedule.

 

MDP will be having an added skills session to the weekly schedule. 

 

Skills sessions are to be run by balance hockey club.

MDP Location

St. George's School 372 Purgatory Rd Middletown, RI. 02842

Skills Development!

Balance Hockey Club

1 day a week sessions by Balance Hockey Club

Groups in MDP

64 is the program limit, be sure to sign up early spots fill fast!

 

MDP is typically split into two main groups.

 

1. Group S- These are the kids who are just starting out. Maybe recent Learn to Skate Program "Graduates". This is the STARTING Group where the skills are still being learned
 
2. Group R- These are the kids who are returning to MDP, or who have  demonstrated the intermediate/advanced skills required for hockey.
 
Each of these groups are broken into smaller teams. This gives the kids more time on the ice to do drills and games for development of hockey skills. 

 

2025-2026 MDP TEAM NAMES

S Group

  • Flames

  • Lightning

  • Jets

  • Predators

R Group

  • Kraken

  • Kings

  • Ducks

  • Wild

Master Calendar Link

If you want to see the Master Calendar for the NEWPORT WHALERS, view this page

NEWS!

2025 Christmas Tournament

By The Registrar 11/08/2025, 10:00am EST

Take a moment to view the updated Christmas Tournament Page for important details! 

 

Schedule details on this page 

(if you are looking at this on your app on your phone, the link will not work, but view it on the site instead! )

https://www.ncyha.org/page/show/9295739-2025-christmas-tournament-schedule-

 

Shuttle Details on this page.

(if you are looking at this on your app on your phone, the link will not work, but view it on the site instead! )

https://www.ncyha.org/page/show/899745-christmas-tournament

 

 

 

Whalers Teams- Start thinking about a team raffle BASKET.

 

Remember, this event is a big fundraiser for the Whalers organization! Which team will bring a stellar basket that everyone wants??

 

Come see your coaches play!

By The Registrar 11/07/2025, 7:45am EST

Support your coaches by watching them play

Come see your coaches play in a fun game on the eve of Thanksgiving!

 

Date: 11.26.25

Time 6:15-7pm

Location: St. George's 

 

Be on the lookout for Whalers Swag being sold at this event!

 

Whalers swag makes a great gift for the holidays! 

 

 

Evaluations for the New England District Development Camp

By The Whalers Board of Directors 10/27/2025, 8:00pm EDT

Dates for Boys born in 2012 (14's), 2011 (15's), 2010 (16's), 2009 (17's) have been set

2026 NED Camp Evaluations

Evaluations for the New England District Development Camp for Boys born in 2012 (14's), 2011 (15's), 2010 (16's), 2009 (17's) have been set for the below listed dates.

 

Boys Tryouts

 

Sunday November 2nd & Sunday November 9th, 2024

Benny Magiera Memorial Ice Rink 100 Factory St West Warwick, RI

 

Groups will skate at the following times:

Sunday November 2nd

2012 Boys (14's) @ 4:00 PM 

2011 Boys (15's) @ 5:00 PM 

2010 Boys (16's) @ 6:00 PM 

2009 Boys (17's) @ 7:00 PM 

 

Sunday November 9th

2012 Boys (14's) @ TBD

2011 Boys (15's) @ TBD

2010 Boys (16's) @ TBD

2009 Boys (17's) @ TBD

 

* It is mandatory that players attend both tryouts.

 

Only permanent residents of RI registered with USA Hockey are eligible to participate. Players must attend both evaluation sessions to be selected by RI to attend the New England District camp. NO player will be allowed to tryout without being registered through USA Hockey.

 

Players attending out of state boarding schools are welcome to attend the evaluation, or they could have their school coach nominate them for an "at large" opportunity through the New England District Nomination Process. Note that nomination by a coach will not guarantee an "at large" spot in the camp.

 

All participants must register and pay the fee through this registration page.

 

All players selected are EXPECTED to attend the District camp which will be held in the Summer of 2026. During the camps our players will participate with and against the top players from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. These camps present an opportunity for our top Rhode Island players to have fun, show their skills and be evaluated for a potential opportunity to progress further in the USA Hockey Player Development Program. 

 

Find the details on our main page too! 

Congratulations to 4 players from the Whalers U10 Green B1 team (Max, Easton, Chris and Connor)
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