The Adult Hockey Association Beginner School is designed for adults with very little to no previous organized hockey experience. Run twice per year (November - April and April - August) the program takes students through the basic skills of hockey and introduces players to the concepts of team play. The School consists of 10 on-ice instructional sessions and nine games.

Instructional Sessions:

• 10 on-ice weekly instructional sessions (90 minutes each)
• Two chalk talk sessions with instructors
• Experienced instructor coaches
• One-on-two goaltending instruction
• Practice jersey provided to players
• Group divided into two permanent teams
• Monitored scrimmages led by coaches

Game Play:

• 9 games; 3 17-minute stop-time periods
• Two USA Hockey certified referees
• Scorekeeper, online stats, and box scores
• Championship game with trophies for winning team

Beginner School Details:

• Program cost: $465
• Beginner Schedule
• Participants must be registered with USA Hockey
• Fee does not include equipment or game jerseys
• Program is limited to 34 skaters and two goaltenders
• All sessions held at Breck Anderson Ice Arena

Registration is now full for the 2011-2012 Winter Beginner School, which will begin November 16 and conclude in April. To be added to the waiting list in case of cancellation, please contact registration@ahahockey.com and we will notify you if a spot opens up.

Goaltenders:

Part of our experienced on-ice staff is a goaltender instructor. Goalies will receive 1-on-2 instruction for all 10 weeks of the instructional sessions.

FAQs:

What equipment will I need for the Beginner School?
To start, black breezers and black helmet. In addition, you will need full hockey equipment when you take the ice on the first night. Equipment includes helmet (half-shield is acceptable, but full cage/mask is recommended), breezers, elbow pads, gloves, breezers, shin pads, skates, stick, hockey socks. Shoulder pads are optional, but recommended.

Can I sign up with friends/co-workers/relatives?
Absolutely! You can register with people you know and we will make sure you are on the same team together.

How many goalies can register?
There is room for two goalies per School. We will take a total of 4 goalies for the Winter Beginner School, two each for Wednesday night and Thursday night.

Is the Beginner School co-ed?
Like all of the AHA Programs, men and women skate together on teams.

I'm interested in goaltending, but I don't have all of the equipment - do you have "loaner" gear?
Through creative purchasing and donations, the AHA has assembled two sets of goalie equipment for loan to our players while you assemble your own goalie equipment. The stuff isn't all pretty, but it's all in good working order.

Do I need to attend an evaluation session to participate in the Beginner School?
No. We assume all participants that register for the Beginner School are beginner players, meaning they have never played organized hockey or perhaps a year or so at the youth levels and are returning to hockey after a long time. We don't consider pickup or pond hockey organized hockey.

For more information contact the Beginner Coordinator.