Natick Comets offers Skill Development and House League Programs

 

Natick Comets SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The purpose of the Comets Skill Development program, running September through April over three sessions, is to introduce kids to the game of ice hockey with an emphasis on safety, fun, and sportsmanship. This program provides first-time, progressing and advanced young skaters the opportunity to learn and practice fundamental hockey skills in a fun, noncompetitive environment. In Skill Development, skaters will progress at their own pace through various levels of the program. First-time skaters will focus on fundamentals including balance, posture, and stride. Progressing skaters will practice edge work, crossovers, and stopping. Advanced skaters will be introduced to puck handling, passing, and shooting, in order to prepare for Comets house league and travel team hockey.

All skaters will participate in a variety of skating drills and games designed to improve their skating ability. Cross-ice pickup games will also be held periodically. The Skill Development program is available in 3 separate sessions throughout the hockey season. We recommended that skaters attend all 3 sessions for maximum development. We specifically encourage first-time skaters to attend at least 3 sessions if they plan on trying out for the house league or travel team programs the following year. Skill development participants must be at least 4 years old at the session commencement date and must be able to work on his/her own in a large group setting.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE – 2011/12 SEASON DATES AND TIMES

  • Session 1: September 17 – November 6, 2011
  • Session 2: November 12, 2011 – January 22, 2012
  • Session 3: January 28 – April 1, 2012

Weekly skill development sessions per the dates above are Saturday and Sunday and are 50 minutes in length. Group 1 (skaters age 7 and under) at 12:00 – 12:50 PM; and Group 2 (skaters age 8 and over) at 1:00 – 1:50 PM. Further group assignments based on age, size, and skating ability, will be made after the first skill session and during the skill development season. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SKILL DEVELOPMENT SESSION EXCEPTIONS There are no skill development sessions on the following dates: Saturday, December 3 Sunday, December 4 Sunday, December 25 Saturday, January 14 Sunday, January 15 Saturday, March 10 Sunday, March 11

COST

Same tuition cost as the 2010/11 season. 

  • Skill Development Session 1 only $120
  • Skill Development Session 2 only $120
  • Skill Development Session 3 only $120
  • Skill Development – Any 2 Sessions $205
  • Skill Development – All 3 Sessions $290

IMPORTANT: Skaters are required to wear hockey gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, athletic cup/pelvic protector, shin pads, hockey pants, and helmet with cage or face shield and a mouthguard. Figure skates are not allowed. Players must also have a hockey stick. A neck guard is optional but highly recommended. Players that do not have all required equipment will not be allowed on the ice. Rental gear is available, first come first serve.

We are always looking for dedicated coaches. If you have an interest in coaching, please contact Kevin Quirk, Director of Skill Development, at 508-653-0512 or email at kjquirk@comcast.net. Coach applications can be found on their website under the Forms section.

 

 

HOUSE LEAGUE PROGRAM

This always popular Comets program, running November through April, is structured in a “house league” format. It allows players of different ages (6 to 12) and abilities to participate in skill development clinics and supervised cross-ice hockey games. The House League program also bridges the gap between skill development and travel team hockey. The House League program introduces skaters to recreational hockey games while continuing to develop their skating skills. Each weekend will include a full hour of a practice/skills session and a game. The practices normally include three or more stations of skill development. Games are in a cross ice format to maximize puck contact and stimulate quick thinking and team play. The typical schedule includes Saturday and Sunday afternoons as well as some Sunday mornings.

Cross ice hockey is played in each of the end zones. The confined space allows for frequent touches of the puck and forces the players to react quickly (changing direction, turning, stopping and starting on both sides) and to make decisions on what to do with the puck and without the puck. Out of necessity, the players learn to think and moves become more instinctive. Team size allows for plenty of ice time for all the players.

HOUSE LEAGUE INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE – 2011/12 SEASON DATES AND TIMES

Program runs from Saturday, November 12 to Sunday, April 8. Weekend ice times are Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM and Sundays at 3:30 PM and 4:40 PM. For the first weekend of evaluations, the Saturday 2:00 PM and the Sunday 3:30 PM hours are for the skaters ages 8 and younger. The Saturday 3:00 PM and Sunday 4:40 PM hours are for the skaters ages 9 and older.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT HOUSE LEAGUE SESSION EXCEPTIONS There are no house league sessions on the following dates: Saturday, December 3 Sunday, December 25 Saturday, January 14 Saturday, March 10 The normal Sunday afternoon sessions (3:30 PM and 4:40 PM) will be moved to 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM morning sessions on the following dates:

  • Sunday, December 4
  • Sunday, January 15
  • Sunday, February 12
  • Sunday, March 11

COST Same tuition cost as the 2010/11 season; $350

IMPORTANT: Skaters are required to wear hockey gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, athletic cup/pelvic protector, shin pads, hockey pants, and helmet with cage or face shield and a mouthpiece. Figure skates are not allowed. Players must also have a hockey stick. A neck guard is optional but highly recommended. Players that do not have all required equipment will not be allowed on the ice.

We are always looking for dedicated coaches. If you have an interest in coaching, please contact Whitney Dorfneilsen, Director of House League, at 508-651-2490 or email at whitdorf@gmail.com

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