Action on Ice
East Idaho Youth Hockey Programs
It’scalled“the fastest game on two feet,” and for good reason.
Of all the grid sports, ice hockey stands out for its explosive action, and it’s appeal has been growing steadily for decades.
Here in East Idaho, there are at least two programs that can get players excited and trained at an early age—The Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association and the Pocatello Hockey Association.
As affiliate groups of USAHockey, local players are placed on teams based on their age group and requisite skills. The resulting teams are structured to be “competitively even as possible” to help foster competition and encourage skill development. The standing rule is “equal ice-time” for all players, regardless of skill level.
The more serious and accomplished the player, the more options there are. In Idaho Falls, for example, older age divisions have special travel teams that compete with squads from other youth hockey associations. These teams are comprised of the top players who qualify through an independent evaluation process.
If there is one thing parents ought to realize when their children take up hockey, says local hockey aficionado and former IFYHAparent Jim Donovan, “It’s that parents have to be just as dedicated as the kids. Practice at 5 a.m., lots of scheduling and travel.”
On the upside, he adds, “It’s dirt cheap for hockey. We’re talking $200 a season compared to about $800 in a place like Detroit.”
For any hockey-inclined kid looking to beat the winter doldrums, the timing couldn’t be better. It’s a perfect fit for families and youths who bundle the bulk of their sporting activities into the fall and spring.
For more information, both associations have informative websites. Visit the Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association at www.ifyha.com and the Pocatello Hockey Association at www.pocatellohockey.com.
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