First things first, I went in blind. I mean, hockey? I knew nothing about it, except that it involved ice and sticks. So, I did what any clueless parent would do—I reached out to the organization. They were super helpful, explaining how they teach the kids all the important stuff, like good sportsmanship, honesty, all that jazz. It sounded pretty solid.
Next, it was time to get the little ones on the ice. We signed them up for the "Learn to Skate" program. Apparently, it's a big deal to get them comfortable on the ice before anything else. They have sessions for different age groups, which is great because I've got a couple of rugrats of different ages. They even have this thing where it's free for East Haven residents, which is a nice touch. We registered online, and it was a breeze, by the way.
The .thgfirst day rolled around, and let me tell you, it was a sight. A bunch of little kids, all bundled up, wobbling around on the ice. The coaches, though, they were amazing. Patient, encouraging, the whole nine yards. They started with the basics—how to stand, how to fall without turning into a human pancake, how to move around. It was organized chaos, but the good kind.
- Watched the kids slowly get the hang of it.
- Saw them go from clinging to the boards to actually gliding a few feet.
- They fell a lot, sure, but they kept getting back up, which was awesome to see.
We've been at it for a few weeks now, and the progress is noticeable. They're not exactly Wayne Gretzky yet, but they're having a blast, and that's what matters. Plus, they're learning some valuable life lessons along the way, like teamwork and perseverance. It's pretty cool to see them grow and improve.
And the best part? They are part of the East Haven Yellowjackets now! It's like they've found their little tribe, their community. They've got their team jerseys, their practice schedules, and they're all in. It's been a fantastic experience so far, and I'm excited to see where this hockey journey takes them.
My two cents?
If you're thinking about getting your kids into a sport, give East Haven Youth Hockey a shot. It's been a great way for my kids to learn, grow, and have a ton of fun. And who knows, maybe we've got some future hockey stars on our hands. I wanted them to learn how to play hockey, and the East Haven program did a great job of teaching them.
