Northern Virginia Hockey Club
2007-2008 Mite Cross-Ice Program
The Mite Cross-Ice Program (“MXI”) is designed to develop fundamental skating and hockey skills for children ages 4 thru 8 (birth years 2000 to 2004). MXI holds practices and scrimmages weekly and routinely participates in local cross-ice jamborees with other mite programs. Players should have completed some formal skating instruction and/or completed at least one NVHC Initiation Program 10 week session. MXI is intended and structured to be the “next-step” for Mite age players interested in moving toward competitive hockey. However, MXI is still designed to focus on fun and skating fundamentals. Cross-ice games / jamborees focus on participation, fun and positive experience, and scores are not kept.
MXI is held on both Saturday (practice) and Sundays (scrimmage) from 7:00 am to 8:45 am starting in September and running through the end of March. The cost for the season is $600.
Registration is available via “online registration” tab on the club website: http://www.nova-icedogs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do we play games? Yes. At a minimum, scrimmages are held every Sunday. In addition, the club routinely holds jamborees with other local programs giving players the opportunity to play against other teams. These are held both at Mt. Vernon and other local rinks and occur about 15 to 20 times during the course of the season.
Where can I get equipment? The Fairfax Rink pro-shop gives a discount to NVHC players. The Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Balston, the Reston or Prince William SkateQuests, the Capitol Clubhouse in Waldorf, MD, are all other good local shops with knowledgeable sales people. There are also a variety of online suppliers. However, it is strongly recommended that you ask for assistance to ensure you are purchasing equipment that fits your child properly.
Should I buy New or Used equipment? Hockey equipment can be expensive but purchasing new equipment is recommended for two reasons: fit and funk. Hockey protective equipment needs to fit properly in order to protect the wearer properly. Also, given the potentiality of staph and other type skin infections, new equipment is a safer option.
What kind of skates should I get for my player? Of all a player’s hockey equipment it is probably most important that their hockey skates fit properly. You should try skates on at a local shop and have a knowledgeable sales person assist you. For this age group, fit is critically important to supporting the development of proper technique.
What equipment does my player need?
1. Hockey skates;
2. HECC-approved helmet and face cage;
3. neck protector/throat guard;
4. mouth piece;
5. shoulder pads;
6. hockey gloves;
7. elbow pads;
8. supporter with hard cup;
9. hockey pants;
10. shin guards;
11. stick;
12. hockey socks;
13. and hockey jersey.
Do we get jerseys? Players are required to purchase Home and Away jerseys and socks. These are not included in the season fee. The team manager will discuss the player’s number selection and ordering process at the first practice.
Can I volunteer? Absolutely. The MXI program is staffed by USA Hockey-certified coaches, but parent volunteers for both on and off ice needs are always welcome and encouraged. Volunteers need only energy and enthusiasm. Please discuss your interest in volunteering with the coaching staff.
Safety and Equipment
The IP program is a non-contact, no checking introductory program. However, even at the non-contact level incidental contact sometimes occurs. But with certified, quality, and well-fitting equipment, the frequency and severity of injuries is greatly decreased.
To ensure the safest playing environment possible for NVHC participants, skating members may not participate in on-ice activities without all of the necessary and properly approved Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC)-approved ice hockey equipment.
Players must wear the foregoing protective equipment during all practices, games, and all other on-ice activities sponsored by NVHC unless otherwise specified by event coordinators.