Ice Valley’s Youth Hockey program gives young skaters a strong foundation for the game through the Learn to Skate USA hockey curriculum, developed with USA Hockey. From first-time skaters to players building more advanced skills, each level focuses on skating technique, balance, speed, control and the hockey-specific skills needed to keep progressing on the ice.
Our classes are designed as a step-by-step pathway, helping skaters build confidence and master the fundamentals before moving on to the next level of hockey.
Ready to trade beginner steps for hockey strides? Hockey 1 introduces skaters to the essential skills needed to move like a hockey player, including hockey stance, forward skating, glides, C-cuts and basic stopping. Fun drills help build balance, confidence and control, with stickhandling and game-based activities at the end of class.
Hockey skills are taught without a puck so skaters can focus on proper skating technique, balance and control.
Prerequisite: Completion of Little Blades 1–4 or Basic 1 and 2.
Required Equipment: Full hockey equipment, including hockey skates, HECC-approved helmet with full face protection, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, hockey pants, shin guards and hockey stick.
Membership Requirement: Skaters must have a current 2026–2027 Learn to Skate USA membership. Visit LearnToSkateUSA.com to register.
Pick up speed and start skating with more power! Hockey 2 builds on the fundamentals learned in Hockey 1 with stronger forward strides, one-foot pushes and glides, forward and backward C-cuts, backward skating and moving stops. Skaters will continue developing balance, coordination and control while becoming smoother and more confident on the ice.
At the end of class, skaters will apply their skills through stickhandling and game-based activities.
Hockey skills are taught without a puck so skaters can focus on proper skating technique, balance and control.
Prerequisite: Completion of Hockey 1.
Required Equipment: Full hockey equipment, including hockey skates, HECC-approved helmet with full face protection, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, hockey pants, shin guards and hockey stick.
Membership Requirement: Skaters must have a current 2026–2027 Learn to Skate USA membership. Visit LearnToSkateUSA.com to register.
Get ready to move in every direction! Hockey 3 focuses on the edge control and agility skaters need to turn, stop and change direction with confidence. Skaters will work on crossovers, forward and backward C-cuts on a circle, inside and outside edges and more advanced stopping skills, including the beginning movements of a hockey stop.
Fast-paced drills help improve coordination, control and quick reactions on the ice. At the end of class, skaters will apply their skills through stickhandling and game-based activities.
Prerequisite: Completion of Hockey 2.
Required Equipment: Full hockey equipment, including hockey skates, HECC-approved helmet with full face protection, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, hockey pants, shin guards and hockey stick.
Membership Requirement: Skaters must have a current 2026–2027 Learn to Skate USA membership. Visit LearnToSkateUSA.com to register.
Bring on the speed, power and quick direction changes! Hockey 4 challenges skaters to combine their skills while working on quick starts, backward one-foot glides, forward and backward crossovers and hockey stops in both directions.
Skaters will build the control, agility and confidence needed to move more efficiently around the ice and prepare for faster-paced hockey practices and game situations. At the end of class, skaters will apply their skills through stickhandling and game-based activities.
Prerequisite: Completion of Hockey 3.
Required Equipment: Full hockey equipment, including hockey skates, HECC-approved helmet with full face protection, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, hockey pants, shin guards and hockey stick.
Membership Requirement: Skaters must have a current 2026–2027 Learn to Skate USA membership. Visit LearnToSkateUSA.com to register.
