Bowling Green Youth Hockey Association

A sincere BGYHA thank you goes out to all of our second year Bantams and their parents for their hard work and committment to our program. We wish you the best of luck in your hockey future.

If you are interested in playing in the Junior High Spring League at Tam O Shanter please contact Dan DeWitt at ddewitt@bgcs.k12.oh.us as soon as possible.

Travel players, parents, coaches and managers - be sure to turn in both of your washed jerseys after your last game. Puck bags and loaned goalie equipment must be turned into a board member or room 164 with a detailed email about the return.

If you currently have a rental youth equipment set, please reply to info@bgyouthhockey.org with your intention to return the set, purchase the set, or your uncertainty.

Congrats to the Ice Cats on their performances during their league season and the Buckeye tournament. The Squirt team had a number of big wins throughout the year, but fell short in the tourney. The Pee Wees won the tournament by beating Ft. Wayne 4-3 in OT of the championship game and the Bantams won 2 out of 3 games, losing only to the eventual tournament champion by a 5-4 score.

Tryouts for the 2010-2011 Ice Cats Travel Teams will be held at the Cube in Findlay on June 7 and 14. Times are listed below and details will follow via web news and emails as they become available.
** Monday, June 7:
Squirt 6-7pm
Pee Wee 7:10-8:10pm
Bantam 8:20-9:20pm

** Monday, June 14:
Bantam 6-7pm
Squirt 7:10-8:10pm
PeeWee 8:20-9:20pm

Hoodies, t-shirts, sweat pants, coffee mugs and grocery bags are available for sale by contacting Kim Knapp at dknapp@toast.net.

Fundraising through the Kroger plus card program will continue through the summer months. If you are not a part of this program, be sure to register your (and your friends, family, neighbors') cards to get in on the savings.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is BGYHA?

A: Bowling Green Youth Hockey Association is a non-profit organization operated by a volunteer board, volunteer coaches and parents who help manage the teams, set the schedule and raise funds to purchase ice time, pay officials and buy jerseys and socks for about 300 youths each year.

Q: At what age can a child participate?

A: From age 4 to 18. Kids can begin with the Initiation Program (IP) or begin at their appropriate age level, depending on their ability.

Q: What is the difference between a House Team, All-Star and a Travel team?

A: A House team is the basis of the BGYHA Hockey Program. These teams play almost all their games in the BGSU Ice Arena. House players can tryout for the All-Star team beginning at Mite level. These players primarily play against similar teams from Findlay, Toledo, Sylvania and play in tournaments. To play on an all-star team you must be a House player. There are additional fees for All-star participation for the additional ice time, uniforms and officiating. Travel teams start at the Squirt level and players are selected from those who tryout. Travel team members do not play on a House team. Travel teams play ½ of their games away from Bowling Green and ½ here. Travel hockey is the most competitive and expensive.

Q: What type of equipment do we need to start playing hockey?

A: Most sporting goods stores can help, but a general list of equipment includes: a hockey helmet with full face protection, a mouthpiece, a neck protector, a set of shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves, a protective cup, a pair of hockey pants, a pair of shin guards, and skates.

Q: When is hockey season?

A: It varies depending on the age and team, but generally it begins around the start of school in September and ends in February or March.

Q: Do kids get injured playing hockey?

A: Yes it can happen, but particularly at the younger ages where they are not allowed to intentionally run into each other injuries are rare, but possible. You need to consider that contact with others, the boards and pucks do happen. With proper safety equipment and training you child is fairly safe.

Q: How are coaches selected?

A: They volunteer. Most coaches are parents of players, some have played competitive hockey others have not. All coaches are required to have current USA Hockey certified training for the appropriate age level. Coaches have also had background checks. If you have a problem with a particular coach, talk to the coach first and then the league commissioner if a problem persists. Coaching evaluations are provided to parents and reviewed by the board.

Q: If my child wants to play goalie does he/she need to own equipment?

A: Not immediately. At the Mini-Mite and Mite levels many kids are given the opportunity to play goalie particularly in House Leagues. Equipment is provided up through Bantam, however – usually if a player has committed to be a goalie by then they will have purchased their own pads, catch glove, blocker and mask.

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