Shaker Youth Hockey FAQs.


Q. Who is eligible to join Shaker Youth Hockey?
A. All boys and girls 4-14 who have basic skating skills and a desire
   to play hockey.

Q. Do you need to know how to skate to join Shaker Youth Hockey?
A. In order to get the most out of the program kids should have basic
   skating skills before starting hockey.  Recommended is successful
   completion of Snowplow Sam III.  Contact Erin Schopf (216-491-2587) at
   Thornton Park for more information on Shaker Learn-to-Skate program or go to
   www.shakeronline.com

Q. Do I have to be a Mighty Mite at 4 years old in order to play
   hockey?
A. Absolutely not.  Although the league does have kids who start at 4
   and play a couple years of Mighty Mites, then progress on to Mite C, and
   ultimately into league play, there are many kids who start much later.
   Often many kids will start Mighty Mites at 5 or 6, others will join
   Mite C at 7 or 8.

   Q. What does it cost to play hockey?
A. All families pay $95 to the SYHA membership for league dues.  The hockey
   program is a joint program with the City of Shaker Heights and the city
   sets the fee schedule.  Fees for the 2007-2008 season are as follows:

   Mighty Mites are $190/$280 per year Resident/Non-Resident
   Mite C/Team Shaker are $475/$595
   League Play - $755/$1,035 (with a $20 discount for each additional family member)

Q. What is covered by the cost?
A. Ice time from August to February, player insurance, all league fees,
   fees for one SYHA sponsored tournament. (Mite C level and above only)

Q. Hockey seems like a big commitment, and I am hesitant to spend so
   much money for my child to try it out. Is there a way he can try the
   sport with out making such a big initial investment?
A. Yes.  Each fall there is a SYHA open house for kids interested in
   trying out the sport.  Also, Team Shaker and Mighty Mites will have open
   sessions in which your child can skate.  Also, Shaker Learn to Skate is
   a great way to get kids comfortable on the ice and ready to step up to
   hockey.

Q. How and when can I register?
A. Contact the Shaker Youth Hockey Director Caleb Wyse at 216-491-2581.
   Registration packets are available in July and must be returned prior
   to August try-outs.

Q. I missed the registration date, can my child still play?
A. Maybe although many league teams may be set, the Mite C and Team
   Shaker teams can often add players.  Call Caleb Wyse at 216-491-2581.

Q. What equipment is required to play hockey?
A. A complete set of equipment is required to play in the Cleveland
   Suburban Hockey League (CSHL).  Select this link to view a list of basic
   items. [link]
   Note: The spring Mighty Mite program, an 8 week introduction to hockey
   for 4-7 years olds, only requires shin guards, a helmet, and skates.
   All of which can often be borrowed from the program.

Q. Where can hockey equipment be purchased?
A. There are many local sporting goods options including Perani’s in
   North Olmstead (24126 Lorain Rd) and Fritsche’s Hockey (5310 Hauserman
   Rd).  Also Play it Again Sports specializes in used equipment and has
   multiple locations. For experienced players/families there are many good internet
   sites which specialize in hockey equipment.  Be sure you know what you
   want to buy and the fit required.

Q. What does a full set of equipment cost?
A. A full set of equipment with skates and jerseys can be purchased for
   $200-300.  Although somewhat overwhelming for the first time buyer – a
   set of equipment does not need to be that expensive.  Often, used equipment
   is available from friends or resale shops.  Also, the youngest of
   players do not need fancy equipment and should get the most basic items
   available.

   If you want to spend more for equipment use it on the skates – that’s
   where quality can matter most.  Jerseys only need to be purchased for
   players at Mite C level and above.  Be sure to get an assigned jersey
   number from Shaker Youth Hockey Director.  Players will need both a home
   (white) and away (red) jersey.  Both are available at Cleveland Sport
   Goods (1463 SOM Center Road).

   If you have any questions regarding equipment contact Caleb Wyse, the
   Shaker Youth Hockey Director, at 216-491-2581 or ask any board member
   for assistance.

Q. When and how will my player be assigned a number?
A. Your player will not be required to have a Shaker Hockey jersey with
   a number until they start to play games at the Mite C level or above.
   Jersey numbers are assigned to players by the Shaker Youth Hockey
   Director to avoid the possibility of number duplication as players move
   through the levels and join different teams each year.  Please contact
   Caleb Wyse at 216-491-2581.

Q. How long is the season?
A. The Fall/Winter season begins with try-outs in late August and
   typically ends around mid-February.
   Spring Season try-outs are held in early March and the season typically
   ends around late April or May.

Q. When do games start?
A. For Fall/Winter season, the games typically start in late September.

Q. How many times a week are practices held?
A. 3-4 times a week during pre-season.  2-3 times a week during the
   regular season.  Most players should expect to be on the ice one night a
   week for practice and on both days on the weekend.  Skills clinics are
   optional one night every other week for each age group.

Q. How many games will I play?
A. 6-8 pre-season games.  14-16 regular season games.  Most league
   teams participate in at least one out of town tournament – many do two or
   three weekends throughout the year.

Q. Where do teams practice?
A. Most practices are held at Thornton Park (Map). The association
   does buy additional ice time at Gilmour Academy (Map) during the season
   to make sure every team gets enough practice time.

Q. Where do teams play games?
A. All home games are held at Thornton Park.  Away games are played
   throughout the Cleveland area depending on what teams are in your
   division.  Columbus and Wooster are also part of the CSHL and teams may get a
   trip or two to those cities during the pre-season or regular season.

Q. When do teams practice and play games?
A. For league teams practices and games are held during the week in the
   evenings and on weekends.  Practice schedules are produced every few
   weeks.  Games are scheduled in two parts – the pre-season schedule will
   be available in September and the regular season will follow in
   October.  Typically these are final and see few changes during the season.
   Mite C and Team Shaker teams practice on weekends until November when a
   limited local schedule will be made with other Cleveland hockey
   associations.  Mighty Mites practice on Saturday mornings at 10:00.

Q. What are the age groups and progression for hockey?
A. Hockey age groups are based on birth year from January 1 to December
   31 following the USA Hockey guidelines.  For the 2007-2008 season the
   following age groups apply:

     Mighty Mites Must be 4 by 7/1/2008
     Mite C      2000 and younger
     Mites   2000 and younger
     Squirts   1998-1999 (ages 9 & 10)
     Peewees  1996-1997 (ages 11 & 12)
     Bantams  1994-1995 (ages 13 & 14)

Q. Are there try-outs?
A. Yes.  The Fall/Winter try-outs are held at the end of August and
   generally are three sessions - two on the weekend and 1 during the week.
   Try-outs are not required for Mighty Mites, Mite C or Team Shaker.

   Try-outs for the Spring Season are run in a similar but abbreviated
   manner.

Q. Do boys and girls play on the same teams?
A. Yes.  In the Spring the city does offer a girls only team option for ages 5-15. 
   Contact Caleb Wyse (216-491-2581) for more information.

Q. It would seem to me that it would be hard to have different level
   skaters playing together.  What level will my son or daughter find
   themselves playing in?
A. The age groups help a great deal in making sure that kids are
   matched against other kids of a similar size and maturity.  However kids do
   progress differently and therefore teams are created based on skill
   level through a try-out process.

   Shaker often has 3-4 teams at each age level.  The teams are ranked 1,
   2, 3, and 4 if necessary.  The board and coaches take great care in
   making sure each player is properly evaluated and placed on a team where
   he/she can have the most positive experience.

   During Pre-season these teams are ranked by the SYHA which is submitted
   to the CSHL.  Other teams who have self-ranked themselves similarly
   are matched together for a pre-season set of 6-8 games.  Based on very
   complicated formulas for wins, losses, goals for/against, and opposing
   team strength, these teams are then rated for league play in the regular
   season.

   Divisions at each level are set for a regular season of 14-16 games.

   AA  the top 7-8 teams in the CSHL at a given age level
   A1, A2, A3 The next level of teams with each category having another 7-8 teams
   B1, B2 Developmental teams with 6-8 teams in each division
  

Q. When is checking allowed?
A. Checking begins at the Peewee level.

Q. Who are the coaches?
A. The SYHA is committed to providing certified coaches who focus on
   skill development and positive coaching ideals.  All coaches submit to
   full background checks provided by the city of Shaker Heights.  For
   expected coaches in the upcoming season click here.

Q. What is the CSHL?
A. CSHL stands for Cleveland Suburban Hockey League.  Shaker Hockey is
   a member program of the CSHL which was founded to support and promote
   age-group hockey in the greater Cleveland area.  The purpose of the CSHL
   is to provide a competitive, well managed hockey league to its member
   programs, centered in Northeast Ohio.

Q. What is USA Hockey?
A. USA Hockey, Inc, founded in 1936-37, is the National Governing Body
   for the sport of Ice Hockey in the United States.  Its mission is to
   promote the growth of hockey in America and to provide the best possible
   experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and
   administering the sport.

   USA Hockey's primary emphasis is on the sport and development of
   grassroots hockey programs.  USA Hockey is divided into 11 geographical
   districts throughout the United States.  Each district has a registrar to
   register teams; a referee-in-chief to register officials and organize
   clinics, a coach-in-chief to administer educational programs for coaches;
   a risk manager to oversee liability and safety programs and a skill
   development program administrator.

   All Shaker Youth Hockey coaches are required to receive a USA Hockey
   certification.  All players are registered with USA Hockey who provide
   insurance to players and programs.

Q. What is Spring Hockey?
A. Spring Hockey is the season after the regular season.  The focus is
   heavily on skill development and fun.  There are no standings kept; no
   playoffs to sweat; no trophies to covet.  It is a good chance for
   players to try a new position or work on the creative
   aspects of their game.  Parents should think of it as organized pond
   hockey, and approach it that way during try-outs and league play.

   In the Spring, players play in the age division that they will be
   playing in the upcoming Fall/Winter season.  Not playing in the Spring for
   Shaker does not affect a player's placement during the subsequent
   regular season.  Team designation in the spring league will not determine
   team designation for the regular season.

Q. Why are spring hockey games not played at Thornton Park?
A. Shaker Teams participate in a house league at another facility.
   Where the teams play is often determined by location and competition of
   other participating teams and clubs.