2009 Kids hit the ice

CHUBBUCK — The thwack! of a puck off the stick, the chatter of steel on ice and the hoots of excited kids filled the air Tuesday night as the Chubbuck/Pocatello Hockey Association inaugurated its Youth Ice Hockey League.

The Zamboni ran a last pass under the lights at Capel Park Rink before John Young and Jim DiSanza ran — glided, rather — the kids through their paces on the ice.

“We’ve been doing roller hockey leagues for about three years, trying to build a user base,” Young said. “These kids are finally going to get a chance to play real hockey.”

Young estimated about half the kids at the rink swapped their roller blades for ice skates for the very first time Tuesday evening. For some, it will likely be the beginning of a lifelong passion.

“We’ve seen kids who’ve skied, (played) basketball, soccer — this town is great for providing youth opportunities. And then they play hockey and they’re just like, ‘Oooh, this is unique, this is cool. This is what I really want to spend my time doing.’”

The first group of eight or nine kids, ages 10 and under, wobbled a bit at first, but with Young’s steady encouragement, began to get their skate legs under them as they practiced their skills.

“Keep your stick down and your hands quiet,” Young told one lad.             “Good start. Glide a little — keep those skates on the ice,” he told another.

The kids worked on basic skills, such as getting to their feet quickly from a prone position, and learning to transform their staccato-like small steps into more efficient glides, as demonstrated by Young.

“See the difference?” he said as he floated along the ice. “I want you to think about long strides and glides.”

Rhonda Hughes, a former speed roller skater, helped Young and DiSanza, despite never having played hockey.

“My dad bought me these when I was 13,” she said, laughing. “They still work.”

Hughes is a true hockey mom, helping out where she can with the coaching of the young players, one of whom is her son.

Even before the youth league’s opening glide across the new ice Tuesday, some local kids already had one game to their credit.

“Our Pee Wee travel team went down to Logan and played their first official game last weekend and lost 3-1,” DiSanza said, “so they did pretty good.”

Any kids who wish to participate this year have until Friday to sign up. They must, however, join the USA Hockey Association and the Chubbuck/Pocatello Hockey Association before the deadline.

The CPHA is running two youth leagues, 10 years of age and under and 14 and under.  The leagues run Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Adult drop-in play is also being planned.

For more information, contact John Young at 233-8927 or at john@pocatellohockey.com.