Stowe Youth Hockey offers programs for players of all levels for players ages 5 to 14. For new skaters, or players younger than 5 years old, Stowe Youth Hockey partners with Stowe Recreation to offer a LEARN TO PLAY program starting at 3 years old. USA Hockey, Stowe Youth Hockey's governing body, classifies player ages by birth year (Jan 1 to Dec 31). Below are the USA Hockey divisions:
6U : co-ed, birth year 2018 and 2019
8U: co-ed, birth year 2016 and 2017
10U: co-ed, birth year 2014 and 2015
12U : co-ed, birth year 2012 and 2013
14U : co-ed, birth year 2010 and 2011
Girls Specific Teams
Learn-To-Play
Learn-To-Skate
Bruins Academy
For players in the 10U division and above, teams may be selected by a tryout process. The number of teams at each level is determined by the total number of players registered in each division.
USA Hockey recently incorporated the ADM (American Development Model). This program lies at the core of player development. The ADM utilizes a station approach to practice in order to simultaneously maximize ice utilization while presenting players with limited time and space training. This approach serves to increase repetitions, puck touches, and skating in traffic. As a result, particularly at the 8U(Mite) level, it serves to develop agility, balance, coordination, and speed (The ABCs). Another Fundamental component of the ADM for the 8U level is its emphasis on cross-ice, half-ice and small area games, all designed to help foster a read and react mentality, the essence of decision-making in the sport. Each SYH division will have an ADM practice once a week.