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The First Shift
DYHA is excited to once again partner with Bauer Hockey to offer The First Shift!
Our 2018 fall program will starts with equipment fitting night on Monday, October 1st, followed by six (6) Learn to Play Hockey sessions on Sunday mornings starting on October 14th.
Players will also participate in a kick off skate on Sunday, October 7th with players from the UNH Mens' Hockey Team and a UNH mascot!!!
Dover Youth Hockey Association is excited to announce a new partnership with Bauer to introduce young athletes and their families to the sport of hockey.
The First Shift program is designed to give players ages 10 and under an opportunity to try the game at a very reasonable cost, outfitting them in full hockey gear (their's to keep) and providing a 6-week hockey skills session for just $199. The program’s goal is to offer a positive, fun environment for players to learn the game. It also offers new hockey parents the opportunity to learn about the game- from equipment to player safety to rules- surrounded by other new hockey parents.
The Dover Youth Hockey First Shift program will kick off with an equipment fitting and information night on Monday, October 1st 6:00 pm. This event will be held at the McConnell Center in downtown Dover (61 Locust St). Each player will be outfitted with brand new Bauer gear, including helmets, skates, pads, stick and a bag that is theirs to keep! Experts from Bauer Hockey will be on hand to ensure proper fit and explain to parents how to properly size gear for their player. Players and parents will also participate in an information session, learning some of the basics of the game both on and off the ice.
Once outfitted, players will first participate in a Kick Off event where they will hit the ice with members of the UNH Mens' Hockey and a UNH mascot. The Kick Off event will be held on Sunday, October 7th. Players will then take part in six (6) "Intro to Hockey" sessions, which will be held on Sunday mornings at the Dover Arena starting on October 14th. The sessions will be run by Dover Youth Hockey Association coaches and will follow a program plan focused on teaching fundamental hockey skills in a positive, fun environment.
More schedule information and other details will be provided at the equipment fitting night.
Pre-registration is required and participation is limited. To register a player, please visit: www.doverhockey.org/thefirstshift
Frequently Asked Questions
How is The First Shift different from other "Learn to Play" programs?
The First Shift is a program designed to ease kids and their families into the sport of hockey in a fun and friendly environment. We begin with a Welcome Event offering information and activities to help build kids’ confidence to make them and their parents more comfortable in the hockey environment. There are 6 sessions – one per week on the same day, at the same time to make it convenient for parents to schedule. The focus of the on ice sessions is fun, teaching kids basic skating and fundamental hockey skills through play.
What is a Welcome Event
First Shift kicks off with a Welcome Event which is our opportunity to welcome you into our hockey community. We will introduce kids and parents to the local program administrators, and coaches, provide an overview of the 6 week program, and offer important information about proper fit and maintenance of equipment, as well as a demonstration on “how to get dressed”. After the 15 minute information session, each child is individually fitted for the equipment he/she will collect and take home- ready to start the first session!
Does my child get to keep the hockey equipment?
Yes, the equipment is theirs to keep!
Does my child need to be able to skate?
Yes, players must have the ability to skate without the assistance of an adult or a training device. Previous participation in a Learn to Skate program is recommended, but not required.
What age groups are eligible for The First Shift program?
Children born 2008-2013 (ages 5-10) are eligible
If my child is one of the older players, will he/she skate with younger kids?
All skaters are on the ice together at one time. However, the instructor/skater ratio ensures participants will be divided into small groups according to age and skating experience level.
How many players will be on the ice?
Participation is limited to 40 players
What will my child learn during the 6 week session?
Your son or daughter will have fun! In addition, participants will move at their own pace, through fundamental skating and hockey skills. The program runs 6 sessions, which allows kids time to build confidence and improve in order to experience a sense of achievement.
What kind of programs are available once my child completes The First Shift?
Our goal is to create a path forward for each child that participates in The First Shift with programming that continues to be accessible, affordable and fun. At the completion of "The First Shift" players will have the opportunity to participate in the 2nd session of our 2018-19 'House League' program. The House League provides players with the opportunity to continue their development in an environment that is appropriate to their age and skill level and does not require any travel.
In addition to our House League, Dover Youth Hockey Association also offers our Granite State Wild travel team program for players ages 7 to 14. The Granite State Wild hold tryouts in March each year for the following season, which begins in September.
For more information about DYHA House League please click here.
For more information about DYHA's Granite State Wild travel teams please click here.
