General Information
Our mission is to promote the development of character, camaraderie, confidence and skill through the sport of ice hockey, and to create and maintain the opportunity for every kid in Wasilla to learn and explore the game of ice hockey in a safe, affordable, fun and educational environment.
Although there are several fine hockey associations in the Mat-Su Valley WOYHA may provide the best opportunity for your family. Some of our characteristics and philosophies are unique and include the following:
- Although the bulk of our practices and games are indoors, we schedule, encourage, and facilitate our kids to practice and play outdoors.
- We follow the local High School hockey teams, The Alaska Avalanche Junior Hockey team, UAA Seawolves, and the Alaska Aces and look for role models, guest coaches and inspiration from among their players and alumni.
- We focus on and promote smaller teams in order to give every child an equal opportunity to develop skills, confidence, and team concept.
- WOYHA offers free coaching by coaches trained and certified by USA Hockey.
- Although youth hockey is safer than many other youth sports we provide health insurance through USA Hockey to cover injuries that occur during our games and practices.
- WOYHA hosts an annual Summer fund raiser known as the Alaska Salmon Cup. See www.hockeyweekinalaska.com
- Players skate on teams within their own age range and within the guidelines of USA Hockey.
- WOYHA is in its fifth year of existence. WOYHA was formed initially to introduce nine and ten year olds who have never played the game to ice hockey. In the year 2004 and 2005 the programs had expanded to include eleven and twelve year olds beginners.WOYHA has now expanded to include five to 16 year olds. WOYHA currrently strives to meet the needs of players at the recreational levels of competition, also referred to as tier III, and Tier IV, or, "C" and "D" respectively.
- All teams are treated equally in the allocation of ice time available to our association.
- Practices are held at the Curtis Menard III Ice Rink at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports complex, at the Brett Ice Arena, and at the Wasilla Middle School outdoor facility.
- We emphasize playing local games as opposed to teams from Anchorage, Kenai, or Fairbanks. The purpose of this is to minimize travel and let the kids spend more of their time devoted to hockey on the ice and to minimize the sacrifice and commitment required of parents.
