NVHA offers an instructional Learn To Play Hockey program for beginning hockey players.  While most players are in the Mite age group (6-8 years old), there are players as old as 10 who have participated in the Learn To Play Hockey program.  Many of the players have previously participated in the NVHA Learn To Skate program, but some enter the Learn To Play Hockey program directly, based on previous skating experience outside the NVHA programs.

Instruction is provided by volunteers from the Nonotuck Valley Hockey Association and players from local high school hockey programs.

Participants are required to wear hockey skates, an approved hockey helmet with mask, hockey gloves, shin pads, hockey pants and an athletic supporter / pelvic protector with protective cup.

The 2011-2012 Learn to Play Hockey program runs from October 1, 2011 to March 3, 2012, with 21 sessions in total.  The program meets every Saturday morning from 10:20 to 11:20 at Lossone Rink at the Williston-Northampton School in Easthampton.  The cost for the 2011-2012 season is $150, due at registration.  Click here for more details on how to register for the Learn to Play Hockey program.

Any questions about the Learn to Play Hockey program can be directed to Kelly Slough (kjslough@gmail.com).