2009-2010 Mite Cross-Ice Program

The Mite Cross-Ice Program (“MXI”) is designed to develop fundamental skating and hockey skills for children ages 4 thru 8 (birth years 2001 to 2005).  MXI holds practices and scrimmages weekly and routinely participates in local cross-ice jamborees with other mite programs.  Players should have completed some formal skating instruction and/or completed at least one NVHC Initiation Program 10 week session.  MXI is intended and structured to be the “next-step” for Mite age players interested in moving toward competitive hockey.  However, MXI is still designed to focus on fun and skating fundamentals.  Cross-ice games / jamborees focus on participation, fun and positive experience, and scores are not kept.

This season, MXI will be held on both Saturday (practice) and Sundays (scrimmage) from 7:00 am to 8:45 am, beginning on Saturday, September 12, 2009, and running through Sunday, February 14, 2010. The cost for the season is $600.

In addition, there will be two simultaneous 9-week MXI Spring sessions, one on Saturdays and one on Sundays, beginning Saturday, February 27, 2010, and Sunday, February 28, 2010. These sessions will run through May 15 and May 16, 2010.

Registration is closed for MXI Spring as both the Saturday and Sunday sessions are full. Registration will re-open in July, 2010 for the MXI session beginning in September.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do we play games?  Yes. At a minimum, scrimmages are held every Sunday.    In addition, the club routinely holds jamborees with other local programs giving players the opportunity to play against other teams. These are held both at Mt. Vernon and other local rinks and occur about 10 times over the course of the season.

Where can I get equipment?  The Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Ballston, the Reston SkateQuest in Reston, the Capitol Clubhouse in Waldorf, MD, the Prince William Ice Center in Dale City, and the Fairfax Ice Arena in Fairfax are all good local shops with knowledgeable sales people. There are also a variety of online suppliers.  However, we recommend strongly that you ask for assistance to ensure you are purchasing equipment that fits your child properly.

Should I buy New or Used equipment?  Hockey equipment can be expensive, but when considering whether to purchase new equipment consider two issues: the right fit and sanitation. Hockey protective equipment needs to fit properly in order to protect the player.  Helmets need to especially fit just right, so we recommend purchase of a new helmet for each player.  Also, given the potentiality of staph and other type skin infections, new equipment has a very low risk of infection.  However, used equipment should be acceptable if the equipment is cleaned well and sanitized.

What kind of skates should I get for my player?  Of all a player’s hockey equipment it is probably most important that their hockey skates fit properly.  You should try skates on at a local shop and have a knowledgeable sales person assist you.  For this age group, fit is critically important to supporting the development of proper technique.

What equipment does my player need?

1.                  Hockey skates;

2.                  HECC-approved helmet and face cage;

3.                  neck protector/throat guard;

4.                  mouth piece;

5.                  shoulder pads;

6.                  hockey gloves;

7.                  elbow pads;

8.                  supporter with hard cup;

9.                  hockey pants;

10.              shin guards;

11.              stick;

12.              hockey socks;

13.              and hockey jersey (see below).

Do we get jerseys?  Players are required to purchase Home and Away jerseys and socks. These are not included in the season fee.  The team manager will discuss the player’s number selection and ordering process at the first practice.

Can I volunteer? Absolutely!  The MXI program is staffed by USA Hockey-certified coaches, but parent volunteers for both on and off ice needs are always welcome and encouraged. Volunteers need only energy and enthusiasm. Please discuss your interest in volunteering with the coaching staff.

Safety and Equipment

The MXI program is a non-contact, no checking introductory program.  However, even at the non-contact level incidental contact sometimes occurs. But with certified, quality, and well-fitting equipment, the frequency and severity of injuries is greatly decreased. 

To ensure the safest playing environment possible for NVHC participants, skating members may not participate in on-ice activities without all of the necessary and properly approved Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC)-approved ice hockey equipment.

Players must wear the foregoing protective equipment during all practices, games, and all other on-ice activities sponsored by NVHC unless otherwise specified by event coordinators.

Thank you for your interest in Northern Virginia Hockey, and welcome to the Ice Dog family!  Any questions, please contact us:

NVHC MXI Head Coaches:

Matt Guthrie:  guthrie6714@aol.com                Bill Anaya:  anaya311@comcast.net   

House Director:

Bill Gerke:  HouseDirector@nova-icedogs.com   

Mite Rep:

David Vermont:  davidbvermont@yahoo.com

Last updated Aug 11, 2009
This site maintained by  John Chin
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