AHA provides a variety of youth programs for different skill levels and age groups!
If you are brand new to hockey and unsure about the sport, AHA offers two Try Hockey for Free days. These events allow children to try skating and hockey with the help of AHA coaches and players (often players from UMass, Amherst College or Amherst Regional High School join the fun too!). Girls Try Hockey for Free is held in early October and is for girls only; Try Hockey for Free in early November is for everyone.
Below is a summary of programs that AHA provides. Click on each program name below, or explore the 'Programs' menu on top of this page, to find out more!
| Program |
Age |
Skill level |
Timeline |
| Learn to Skate |
4-8 |
Beginner skaters, or very young skaters who need to learn or work on skating skills. |
Registration starting in September, program runs November through March.
Commitment: 1 hr/week (Saturday)
|
| Learn to Play |
4-8 |
Young skaters who are ready for learning hockey skills and participating in games. |
Registration starting in September, program runs November through March.
Commitment: 2 hrs/week (Saturday afternon + Sunday morning for games)
|
| Co-Ed Travel Program |
6-17 |
Skaters who want the full experience of playing hockey. |
Team placement in March, registration in July, program runs September through March.
Commitment: 3-5 hrs/week (weeknights and weekends)
|
| Girls Travel Program |
9-16 |
Girls who want to play in an all-girls environment. |
Team placement in March, registration starting in April, program runs October through March. (September through November for HS-aged players)
Commitment: 3-5 hrs/week (weeknights and weekends)
|
| Girls House Program |
8 and up |
For girls who are older beginners, or who do not want to play on a travel team. |
Registration starting in September, program runs November through March.
Commitment: 2 hrs/week (weeknight + Saturday)
|
Children take varied paths through the programs as they gain skills and get older. AHA welcomes new skaters at any age and skill level.
Young children tend to go from Learn to Skate (1-3 years) -> Learn to Play (1 year) -> Travel Program (Co-Ed or Girls or both); however, some skip Learn to Play, and others may move mid-season.
Older children may start directly in a travel program. Older girls have the option to join the girls house team and either stay there or move to a travel team (co-ed or girls) in the future.
For any questions on where to start or where to go next, please contact AHA President, Bill Soares at
or Learn to Skate/Learn to Play Coordinator, Thomas St Laurent, Jr. at
