BYHA offers many different programs to help our players develop their skills. Our in-season (winter) programs include Cubs, Inhouse, Traveling, and Junior Gold, while our summer offerings include Summer Academy, Fall Skills Camp, and the Nick Bjugstad Camp. Continue reading for more information on each program.
Eligibility for each program is determined by a players' birthdate. Click the "Minnesota Hockey Age Cutoff Dates" link to the right to see date ranges for the upcoming season.
We are proud to announce that we are continuing our partnership with Dave’s Sport Shop where all new, first-year players will receive a Starter Equipment Voucher that can be used to purchase a starter kit, which will include all equipment needed (excluding skates, cup/pelvic protector, hockey socks and stick), and also includes a hockey bag. Equipment can also be purchased at many sporting goods retailers in the area, including Dave’s Sports Shop, Lettermen Sports and Pure Hockey.
Our Mites program consists of Cubs and Mites. Each is detailed below, and you can click the Inhouse FAQ document to the right for more information and differences between Cubs and Mites.
The Blaine Cubs program is designed for our youngest skaters who are just learning how to skate. The focus is entirely on getting comfortable on skates and having fun. This program meets once a week (typically Saturdays). Skaters are not assigned a team and do not play games, but rather focus on station based practices to keep the kids moving and engaged the whole time they’re on the ice.
Cubs meets once a week on Saturday mornings. They meet from the beginning of November until early February, with breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Mite hockey is where kids will start playing hockey, play until they are 9 years old, and consists of 4 levels of play. Each skater will be assigned to a team and the season will consist of games and practices. Mite skaters will typically skate every Saturday and Sunday at one of the local arenas, outdoor practices are scheduled during the week when possible. As your player moves up in levels more mid-week practices and games will arise. BYHA has four levels of Mite hockey as well as 8U hockey for our advanced girls.
Before the season starts every player will participate in initiation skates, these are an opportunity for us to assess each player and assign them to the appropriate skill level. These are not tryouts, we will fill as many teams as we have talent for at each level with Mite A and 8U being our top boys and girls teams respectively.
Mite D - Beginner Level Skaters
This is where most kids will start playing hockey. The focus will be on skating and puck control.
Mite C - Intermediate Level Skaters
Mite C is for intermediate level of play and will focus on more advanced skating and puck control.
Mite A/B & 8U - Advanced Level Skaters
This level is for advanced Mite’s with Mite A and 8U being the top teams. Girls at this level have the opportunity to play on an all girls team. The focus at this level is continuing to master skating, puck handling, and shooting.
Our traveling program has both boys and girls teams. Traveling teams will play a regular season schedule against other District 10 teams, and will also attend various tournaments. At the conclusion of the regular season, playoffs consist of District playoffs for those teams qualifying. At levels above Squirts and 10U, teams can move on to Regions and State tournaments.
Our boys traveling program consists Squirt, Peewee and Bantam age levels. Each age level will field multiple teams and team levels that are determined by the tryout results.
Our girls program consists of teams at the 10U, 12U, and 15U levels. Girls will tryout and the results of those tryouts will determine the makeup of each team.
Our IceDogs Junior Gold program is intended for high school aged players who are not involved with the High School teams. For more information on our Junior Gold program, click the link below.
Intended for Girls ages 16-19. This league was created as an alternative to high school hockey. We are a co-op team consisting of players from Blaine, Spring Lake Park, Centennial and surrounding areas.
The team practices 2 days most weeks up until the first game in the beginning of December. There are up to 20 league games with a State Tournament in March. The league is fast paced and competitive.
For more information visit the IceDogs/IceCats website or contact Joe Gratz at (763) 614-7097.
Our Summer Academy program is for our In-House (mite and cubs) players. It is a great way to keep the kids skating and developing their skills throughout the summer at a very reasonable cost.
Click the Academy Flyer on the right to find more information.
Our Pre-Tryout Camp program is for our traveling players to help prepare them for the upcoming winter season. It is instructed by professional instructors, and contains training options for both players as well as goalies. During the camp, players will be working on and reinforcing level appropriate techniques which include stick handling, shooting, angling, proper checking, strength training, and more. Pre-Tryout Camp takes place in August and into September.