While a minimum age of 4 is recommended, younger skaters can join at their parent's discretion. Click here for whalers ages and other policies.

The LTS program emphasizes building strong basic skating skills like balance, stride, edges, and stopping. 

The program aims to be a fun experience that builds children's confidence on the ice and prepares them for more advanced hockey programs. 

No prior skating experience is needed, and children are grouped by ability during sessions. 

There are typically three skater levels in LTS:

CRATE CREW- 

Learning to walk all over again.

BALANCE BUDDIES- 

Slowly developing more skills.

STICK AND PUCK*

The name says it all, bring your sticks and pucks!

LTS serves as a stepping stone to the Mite Development Program (MDP), which utilizes USA Hockey's American Developmental Model (ADM)

There will be falling, so gear is your friend!  

Munroe Dairy sponsors the crates for the Crate Crew kiddos, and we'll have them available at the first skate

See below for more about gear, and you can visit the gear page as well. https://www.ncyha.org/page/show/9362208-equipment-and-gear

Whalers equipment tips:

1. ) Hockey Helmet with Cage (tape your child's name to the helmet, the coaches love this). Helmets are often adjustable, so they can grow with your child. 

2.) base layer (we are a co-ed organization so start this practice early! Please visit the locker room policy as it is applicable)

base layer should be Comfortable clothing for the hockey player so it does not restrict their movement.

Remember, you may be cold sitting on the bleachers, but they are working up a sweat on the ice; don't be surprised if they prefer short sleeves!

3.) Hockey Skates

4.) Chest protector

5.) Knee and Elbow Pads. Ice is hard and there will be falling. Let's keep the kids protected!

6.) Hockey Gloves (Skates are sharp, lets keep those fingers safe!​​​​

7.) Water bottle (please label with your child's name. It will not stop them from leaving it at the rink, but it will make it easier to find). 

Crates- brand new skaters will use crates. View details on the Learn to skate page (click here).

Make sure you have your child try on their gear. a child may be uncomfortable due to equipment that does not fit correctly. 

Try before you buy! If you borrow or have hand me down gear, TRY IT ON! 

Take it from an old pro, have the kids try on their skates with skate guards on and walk around the house for a few minutes.

It helps the kids to know a little what to expect BEFORE they are on the ice. especially if it is their first time on skates!

try on any other gear they may be wearing. This will help them to better understand what they are wearing, and this will also give adults dressing their players an idea of how long it will take to put on their gear. 

You want to arrive at the rink with time to park and walk in plus dressing time.

one final 'old pro' tip:

have kids try to use the bathroom before they get changed, so if needed, add time in to do this as well.... no matter what age, Nothing is fun when you finally get your kiddo dressed and then you hear, "I need to go to the bathroom...".

USA HOCKEY PARENTS GUIDE. Equipment, Rules, Etc. Check out this guide

(CLICK HERE) for answers to all your hockey questions! 

Please also see below link for the USA Hockey Parents Guide. 

Click below image to view a video from USA Hockey on dressing a youth goaltender.

Click below image to view a video from USA Hockey on dressing a youth hockey player.

PLEASE VISIT THE WHALERS EQUIPMENT SWAP FACEBOOK PAGE CLICK HERE.

THE LINK IS BELOW ALSO! 

THIS DOES REQUIRE ANSWERING QUALIFYING QUESTION TO BECOME A MEMBER.

THIS GROUP IS TO SWAP GEAR ONLY!

PLEASE SHARE WITH NEW WHALERS FAMILIES AND EVEN THE OLD ONES!

HAPPY SWAPPING!