Mite/8U Hockey Information
Mite Program Mission Statement
Our mission is committed to the athletic development, personal growth and sportsmanship of our young athletes in our community. The focus is to instill the core values that our programs foundation is built upon through the life lessons gained in hockey within a safe, fun, and learning environment. Our goal is that every young athlete that walks into the program has an incredibly positive experience and leaves with valuable life lessons learned that can be applied long after they leave the hockey rink regardless of playing ability.
Mite Program Core Values
- Attitude
- Effort
- Respect
- Teamwork
2023 Fall Skills Schedule
Fall Skills Clinics for Mites/8U will run from Saturday 9/9/2023 - Sunday 10/1/2023. Schedules for all Mite/8U levels have been posted here:
https://www.cpyha.com/page/show/5179283-clinics-
MITE PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Our Mite / 8U program will closely follow the USA Hockey ADM and Minnesota Hockey Development Model for Mites / 8U with the primary focus being on FUN and DEVELOPMENT in a safe and positive environment. The mite structure will consist of the following levels: mini rebels, rookie mites, intermediate mites, 8U-girls, and advanced mites. The development goals/core skills are listed in detail below. This is a great opportunity for our players to have an incredible experience, grow their love for the game of hockey, and develop their skills in a way that is proven to work. Below see two links for additional information; one link to a USA Hockey website page that reviews the critical focus areas for hockey players by age and the second link to a Minnesota Hockey website that clearly articulates the desired hockey development model for certain ages.
CPYHA Mite Committee
2023-2024 Mite Levels
| Mite Level | Typical Age | Typical Player Year | D10 Mite Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Rebels | 4 - 5 | New to skating | Jr. Rebels |
| Rookie | 5 - 6 | 1st year player | Mite D |
| Intermediate | 6 - 8 | 2nd - 3rd year player | Mite C |
| Advanced | 8 - 9 | 3rd - 5th year player | Mite A and B |
| 8U -Girls | 7 - 9 | 3rd - 5th year player | Same |
Mini Rebels Information
CPYHA Breakfast Club - 2023-2024
The Breakfast Club was new in 2022 and will be back again in 2023. Details are still being finalized, but currently we project that CPYHA Advanced and Intermediate Mites will have the opportunity to skate up to 3 days per week with Josh Kern (https://www.kernhockey.com/) throughout the season. We anticipate these sessions will run September through February.
https://www.cpyha.com/bc
The breakfast club calendar will be posted here when available: https://www.cpyha.com/page/show/8099703-mite-8u-2023-24- and your skater will be notified of their specific sessions as the season progresses. Sessions will focus on individual skills. There will be no additional cost to participate. More details will be provided when available.
Typical Time Commitment for Mites
Typical time commitment for mites per level:
Mini Rebels: 1-hour, Saturdays, September - February
Rookies (D Mites): Practices and games Saturdays and Sundays October - March. Will play cross-ice games. Typically they do NOT play games in neighboring associations. Outdoor practices will be one-two nights a week, end of December - February (weather dependent) at Champlin Ice Forum.
Intermediates (C Mites): Practices and games Saturdays and Sundays October -March. Will play half-ice games with goalies. Potential for 4-5 games in neighboring associations. Outdoor practices will be 1-2 nights a week, end of December - February (weather dependent) at Champlin Ice Forum.
Advanced (A & B Mites)/8U: Practices and games Saturdays and Sundays October - March. Per D10 rules, we will play 1/2 ice games in first 1/2 of the season and up to 7 full ice games after Jan. 15th). New this year we will not have any 3/4 ice games.
Potential for 8-10 games in neighboring associations (could be a weeknight). Outdoor practices will be 2-3 nights a week, end of December - February (weather dependent).
*All weekend indoor practices will be held at the Champlin Ice Forum, usually between 7:15am and 1:15pm.
*Weeknight outdoor practices will be held on the outdoor rink primarily at Willowstone in Brooklyn Park.
*All levels will participate in our end of year jamboree (see adjacent link).
*Advanced/Intermediate Mites will have optional "Breakfast Club" from September through February.
Joe Housman
Co-Mite Director
BRETT LAMPE
Mite Co-Director
Dustin Hanly
Girls/8U House Director
Jason Tripicchio
Hockey Development Director
New to Hockey?
LINKS
Mite Jamboree
Mite Level Skill Development Goals
| Mite Level | Typical Age Range; Grade | Skate forward at a reasonable rate w/o assistance | Skate forward smoothly | Skate backwards at a reasonable rate w/o assistance | Skate backwards smoothly | Able to perform forward crossovers | Able to hockey stop in one direction w/o falling | Able to hockey stop in both directions w/o falling | Able to perform backwards crossovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Rebels | New to skating | ||||||||
| Rookie (mite D) | 4-6 years old; pre-k/K | X | |||||||
| Intermediate (mite C) | 6-7 years old; 1st grade | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 8U-Girls | 6-9 years old; 1st-3rd grade | X | X | X | X | ||||
| Advanced (mite B) | 7-8 years old; 2nd grade | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Advanced (mite A) | 8-9 years old; 3rd grade | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Further explanation of the skating skill competencies above
Skate Forward at a reasonable rate w/o assistance
- Demonstrate basic hockey stride (push and glide), with knee-bend, and not walking
Skate Forward Smoothly
- Demonstrate basic hockey stride, with knee-bend, butt-down, chest-up, and head-up
- Demonstrate proper, north/south, arm motion with one-hand on the stick and proper top-hand position on the stick (no butt end sticking out)
Skate Backwards at a reasonable rate w/o assistance
- Demonstrate ability to move backward; early c-cut stages, with knee-bend and head-up
Skate Backwards Smoothly
- Demonstrate ability to move backward with knee-bend, head-up, one-hand on the stick, utilizing c-cuts to move
- Head on a swivel and demonstrating body control throughout
Able To Perform Forward Crossovers
- Demonstrate knee-bend with outside skate push, step-over, and toe-flick
- With cadence and pace as well as total body control
Able To Stop In One Direction w/o Falling
- Demonstrate knee-bend, through complete stop, two-hands on stick, ready position w/ head-up
- Skates parallel with body control while stopping
- More advanced move is to transition directions and start moving again with “T” push
Able To Stop In Both Directions w/o Falling
- Same as above, but able to execute facing both direction
Able To Perform Backwards Crossovers
- Demonstrate knee-bend, correct foot step-over, body control, and without falling
- One way, more advanced move is crossing over both ways
*CPYHA mite levels restructured for the 2019-20 season, in "( )" denotes historical CPYHA mite level for comparison. Age range and grade are listed as a helpful guide, level placement will be based on players current skill.
Mite Core Skill Assessments
These core skills will be assessed for each player by the mite committee before teams are formed. The purpose of this is to assess each player’s skill development and place him/her at the appropriate level to maximize fun, development, and learning the game of hockey in a safe environment. This assessment occurs throughout October and players may be moved up or down between groups to place them at the appropriate competition level.
10/28 - 10/29/2023 - Independent Evaluators will observe Advanced mites in various drills and scrimmages. They will be numerically ranked based on assessment scores to be placed on A and B teams. Additionally, players unable to obtain minimum advanced mite skills will be moved to the intermediate level.
Players unable to attain skill goals at a certain level could be moved to lower level so they can develop further.
Girls will be assessed in the general groups. Then invited to 8U girls team or placed in youth levels. Directors will discuss each player’s placement with the parents during the skill assessment process.
Mite Core Skill Assessment Groups and Schedule
Core Skills Assignments
The PRELIMINARY Core Skills Assignments are posted at the following link: https://www.cpyha.com/page/show/5987178-core-skill-assessments-schedule
Core Skills Clinic Runs October 7th through November 5th at Champlin Ice Forum (teams to be formed week of 11/6).
Below is DRAFT, subject to change:
Mini Rebels - Saturdays from 9:30am-10:15am
Group 1 - Advanced
- Saturday's 10:30am - 12:00pm
- Sunday's 7:30am-9:00am
- Lead Coach - Dustin Wagner and Casey Chisholm
Group 2 - 8U
- Saturday's 7:15-8:15am
- Sunday's 10:45am-12:00pm
- Lead Coaches - Dustin Hanly and Mark Franklin
Group 3 - C (Intermediate)
- Saturday's 12:15pm-1:15pm
- Sunday's 9:15am-10:30am
- Lead Coach - Ryan Sollenberger
Group 4 - D (Rookie)
- Saturday's 8:30am-9:30am
- Sunday's 12:15pm-1:15pm
- Lead Coach - TBD (please email Mite Director if interested)
Core Skills Clinic Runs October 7th through November 5th. All Ice Time will be at Champlin Ice Forum.
In addition to the normal Sat/Sun skate times, on 10/25, Intermediate will skate at 5:15 and Advanced will skate at 6:30.
Mite Goalie Development Program
CPYHA has partnered with MEGA Goaltending to promote the position and develop our young goalies.
More information coming soon.
outdoor rink schedule
All mite outdoor practices will be held either at Willowstone Park in Brooklyn Park, or the adjacent rink to the Champlin Ice Forum (see above for preliminary locations per level).
Outdoor Rink Policy
The CPYHA Mite Committee will cancel all outdoor ice events when the air temperature is below zero degrees and/or the wind chill (feels like) temperature is below negative ten degrees. The Mite Committee will notify the Mite Manager Coordinator who will relay the information to team managers before 5:00pm the day of practice.
Note: Outdoor practices might also be called off due to poor ice conditions – warm weather, snow, etc.