Registration for TRAVEL closed on August 1st

Registration for Newbees and House is STILL OPEN

Our goal as an association for the 23/24 season is to provide the best hockey experience for our players through high level coaching, targeted skill development and goalie training, quality ice time, and a community of dedicated hockey families and volunteers. EYHA welcomes all players past, present, and future.

Player Registration (essexyouthhockey.org)

The quality of play within our association, at all levels, is demonstrated through our successes.  EYHA 2022/2023 season accomplishments include:
● G14U Tier 4 State Champions
● 12U Tier 4 State Champions
● G8U Champions: Girls Division of the Andrew Irving Mite Jamboree

Follow us on both Facebook and Twitter: EYHAVT

EYHA is working to build a strong hockey program that demonstrates our commitment to making hockey accessible for ALL levels of hockey; we aim to build a program where players can learn, develop and hone their hockey abilities while maintaining a strong connection to their community. On the heels of another successful season, we are pleased to provide a few updates for the 23-24 season: 

• Creation of a selective Tier 2 Travel Program (where appropriate) while maintaining our historic commitment to strong Tier 3 and 4, House, and Newbee Programs.  

• Expansion of our popular Skills Sessions to provide additional ice time and instruction for those seeking to take their skills to the next level.  

• Welcoming all interested skaters to join EYHA

• Decision that all full-time goalies at 12U and older should play for free! 

Tier 2 Travel Program

Teams will be selected through the evaluation process based on skills, dedication to improvement, and the ability to commit to the program.  Tier 2 tryouts will occur in early September. From mid-October through early March, hockey should be the “first sport.”  Families commit to attending two practices and one advanced skills session each week.  In addition to our Vermont competition, the T2 teams may travel to New Hampshire, New York, Canada (and possibly Regionals) for games and may play more than two games per weekend when the opportunity presents itself.  In 23-24, the Tier 2 option will be offered at the 12U coed level based on anticipated registrations. Additional tiering of age groups will be determined based upon registration, tryouts, and player mix.

Tier 3 and 4 Travel Programs

Essex Youth Hockey believes in providing the most appropriate competitive match for our skaters.  In most age groups, this will be at the Tier 3 or 4 levels.  Weekly skills sessions are recommended but optional at these levels.  Tier 3 and 4 teams will have a travel schedule that is more Vermont focused though some out-of-state travel is anticipated. Final tiering decisions will be made after evaluations in the fall and discussions with other associations.  

EYHA Player Eligibility

Essex Youth Hockey recognizes the importance of large numbers for producing a quality program capable of serving all players.  That being said, priority will be given to players within our EYHA communities (Essex, Essex Junction, Westford, Bolton, Huntington, Jericho, Richmond, Underhill), AND those who have previously played for EYHA. Registration of NEW players from outside our borders will be contingent upon approval of the EYHA Executive Board.

Three Seasons of Skills

EYHA recognizes that the best way to become a better hockey player is to spend more time on the ice. We will continue to run our popular Advanced Skills sessions both throughout the season as well as the Spring and early Fall.  Spring Advanced Skills launched on March 19th and will run through early June. Fall Advanced Skills will launch in late August when players return to school.  Off-season skills sessions will be scheduled not to interfere with other sports where possible, and will always include free goalie sessions.

More Love for Goalies

We are pleased to announce that EYHA has secured a Grow The Game Grant from VSAHA that provides quick change goalie gear for all 8U teams along with training for EYHA coaches on how to better incorporate goalie-specific drills into regular practices. This will give EYHA the ability and training to grow our goalie program.  In recognition of the pivotal role that goalies play in our association and acknowledging the additional costs often incurred for specialized equipment and instruction, EYHA has determined that full-time goalies at 12U, 14U, and 18U levels will play for free.  Goalies at the 10U level will receive a discount.

We’re excited for what next year will bring for the players in our association. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a board member or our social media accounts.

EYHA is excited to continue to offer Advanced Skills sessions for EYHA skaters and goaltenders for the 23-24 season. These sessions will be led by Joe Baird, EYHA Director of Player Development and will include EYHA coaches along with former Professional, College, and Junior Hockey players and coaches. These sessions align with USA Hockey and Hockey Canada's off-season recommendations as well as the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model. We are offering these sessions at an affordable price because we are community oriented and motivated by the development of our players.

The purpose of these sessions is to help expand the “skill toolbox” of EYHA players to provide our players with new “solutions” they can take with them into gameplay next year. Each week’s session will have different themes designed for exposure and repetition of newly acquired skills. 

The 11-session curriculum for skaters includes:

• Inside & outside edge proprioception

• Starts & stride work

• Problem-solving for offensive and defensive players in 1:1 scenarios 

• Problem-solving for offensive and defensive players in 2:1 and 3:1 scenarios

• Competitive contact & angling

• Stickhandling tips and tactics 

• Problem-solving within crowded/tight spaces

• Advanced shooting instruction

• Explicit technical passing instruction

• Dekes & Dangles for 1:1 scenarios

• Dekes & Dangles for scoring scenarios

The Essex Youth Hockey Association’s mission is to introduce the youth of our area communities to the great game of ice hockey, such that every child, through their participation in the program, can enjoy a positive, character building sports experience while creating a passion for the game.

EYHA believes that through the development of every individual, the collective team benefits from the resulting depth, diversity, and cohesion. This produces a level of confidence that brings success in the competitive hockey environment.

Emphasis will always be placed upon education, personal development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The individual conduct of board members, coaches, players, and parents will be maintained to ensure a positive culture in which all can honor the sport, and exemplify an organization in which to be proud of.

And above all else… "It’s always about the kids"

Essex Youth Hockey Association provides boys and girls an opportunity to learn about and pursue their interest in the game of hockey. We are a local organization run entirely by parent and community volunteers as board members, coaches, ice schedulers, equipment coordinators and, above all else, fans of kids who love hockey.

EYHA serves the communities of: Essex Junction, Essex, Westford, Jericho, Underhill, Cambridge, Richmond and Milton

RINKS: EYHA primarily skates out of 4 rinks:

Essex Skating Facility (our HOME rink - opening just after Labor Day) 

Waterbury Ice Center 

Elev802 

UVM’s Gutterson Rink 

PROGRAMS:

NewBees (ages 4-7)

• Beginner skaters
• Program runs on weekend mornings

HOUSE (ages 6+)

• Co-Ed skill development in a fun, supportive, environment
• Skills taught include: 
  • fundamentals of ice skating
  • understanding the game of hockey
• Program runs weekend mornings

TRAVEL (8U / G8U / 10U / G10U / 12U / G12U / 14U / G14U)

• Both Co-Ed and Girls teams
• Evaluation process for team selection (dependent upon team numbers)
• 2-3 practices weekday evenings
• 1-2 games weekends (travel generally within VT)
• 1-2 Tournaments per season (generally within the Northeast)

EYHA 

P.O. Box 725

Essex Junction, VT 05453