Susquehanna Valley Stampede Hockey Coaching Philosophy
We are very pleased with the development of our players and coaches over recent years. We will continue to integrate the values of USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) into the fabric of our program activities. We emphasize a fun atmosphere in which we engender a respect and love for the game of hockey, emphasize skating and skill development, enhance hockey sense, teach players what it means to work hard and compete, develop age-appropriate hockey concepts, and promote teamwork over individual accomplishments. While teaching our young players to compete is an essential element of our coaching philosophy, the long-term development of all players is consistently prioritized over win/loss records. All coaches are required to register with USA hockey and complete on and off-ice instructional, age-specific training modules and safety training.
USA Hockey – American Development Model
The American Development Model (ADM) is a nationwide model for successfully developing American hockey players. It is a tool that will ensure every child will have a great chance to succeed. In implementing USA Hockey’s ADM, we emphasize skill development and the advancement of successful hockey habits in an effort to produce more skilled players across the program which subsequently increases player recruitment and retention. The ADM is based on age-appropriate, age-specific competition and training for boys and girls, beginning with their first steps on the ice and carrying them through age 18 and beyond. The ADM encourages station-based practices, small-area games and cross- ice competition to deliver more repetitions, more puck touches, and more skill development per hour of ice time. Practices at all age levels prioritize skill development. Our long-term development model emphasis provides all our young players with the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of our scholastic programs.
Learn to Skate
Learn to Skate (LTS) is designed for boys and girls ages 4-18 with little skating experience. The class starts in October and runs for 9 sessions. The purpose of this class is to introduce the basic skills of skating such as: balance, skating posture, learning to fall softly, and getting up without help, one- and two-foot glides, forward and backward swizzles, forward stroking and stopping. Upon completion of this program, the student will be ready to join our Learn to Play Program.
Required Equipment: Helmet and gloves must be provided by the participant. (knee pads and elbow pads highly recommended) Skates can be rented from the rink; however, all other equipment MUST be provided by the participant.
Please see here for tips and tricks regarding the required equipment.
Class size is limited to 30.
This is a class , although our volunteers do their best to help each child it is best that your child can at least stand on the ice on their own. Volunteers cannot always provide individual attention to help participants stand.
9 Classes …………………………………………$75.00
Learn to Play Hockey
Learning to play hockey is more than just learning a game. More than skating, passing, and stickhandling, hockey is about teamwork, responsibility, and respect. Our Learn to Play initiative aims to inspire more families to join the hockey community. The Susquehanna Valley Stampede’s Learn to Play program offers weekly practice sessions with age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching in a fun and safe environment for students ages 5-18.
6 Week Session begins in November 2024
Cost: Coming Soon!
Equipment Required: Hockey Skates, Hockey Helmet w/facemask, neck guard, hockey gloves & hockey stick.
This program is designed for first time players. Students must have completed a Learn to Skate Program prior to registering for Learn to Play.
Please see here for tips and tricks regarding the required equipment.
Travel Hockey Program
Our club is now a member of the Delaware Valley Hockey League & offers Tier II Travel Hockey to our players in our 10U to 18U divisions.
Players are required to attend annual evaluation tryouts in order to be selected and placed on our travel teams.
Please see our registration page for current pricing.
10U Squirts Structure (2014-2015)
- 2 practices per week (1 “Skills and Drills” and 1 Team Practice)
- 1 DVHL Placement Showcase
- 18-20 Regular Season Game Prediction (Home & Away)
- Home Games played at home rink in Sunbury
- 50 Practices (Approx.)
- Goalie Training
- Additional 1 to 2 Tournaments
- 75% individual skill development, 15% hockey sense/competition (small area games), 10% team systems
- Age appropriate off-ice training 1X/week
- Uniforms (Jersey/Socks/Pant Shells) are an additional expense and can be purchased from our Pure Hockey Online Store when open
12U Pee Wee Structure (2012-2013)
- 2 practices per week (1 “Skills and Drills” and 1 Team Practice)
- 1 DVHL Placement Showcase
- 18-20 Regular Season Game Prediction (Home & Away)
- Home Games played at home rink in Sunbury
- 50 Practices (Approx.)
- Goalie Training
- Additional 1 to 2 Tournaments
- 65% individual skill development, 25% hockey sense/competition (small area games), 10% team system
- Age appropriate off-ice training 1X/week
- Uniforms (Jersey/Socks) are an additional expense and can be purchased from our Pure Hockey Online Store when open.
14U Bantam Structure (2010-2011)
- 2 practices per week (1 “Skills and Drills” and 1 Team Practice)
- 1 DVHL Placement Showcase
- 18-20 Regular Season Game Prediction (Home & Away)
- Home Games played at home rink in Sunbury
- 50 Practices (Approx.)
- Goalie Training
- Additional 1 to 2 Tournaments
- 50% individual skill development, 35% hockey sense/competition (small area games), 15% team systems
- Age appropriate off-ice training 2X/week
- Uniforms (Jersey/Socks) are an additional expense and can be purchased from our Pure Hockey Online Store when open.
16U/18U Midget Structure (2006-2009)
- 2 practices per week (1 “Skills and Drills” and 1 Team Practice)
- 18-20 Regular Season Game Prediction (Home & Away)
- Home Games played at home rink in Sunbury
- 50 Practices (Approx.)
- Goalie Training
- Additional 1 to 2 Tournaments
- 50% individual skill development, 30% hockey sense/competition (small area games), 15% team systems
- Age appropriate off-ice training 2X/week
- Uniforms (Jersey/Socks) are an additional expense and can be purchased from our Pure Hockey Online Store when open.
Practice Player/Intra-Mural PROGRAM
For skaters new to the program, completion of both Learn to Skate and Learn to Play is required. You may start any Practice Player/Intra-Mural program at any time after the Learn to Skate & Learn to Play programs are completed. Also, full hockey equipment is required please see here for help on acquiring the proper equipment.
This program starts in October and runs until March. Intra-Mural games are played against other stampede practice teams. Instruction will focus on skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, the rules of the game and basic team play.
The 2024-2025 Practice Player/Intra-Mural league is divided into 4 age groups according to birth year.
10U Squirts (2014-2015): (2 Practices a week and 1 intra-squad mixed team scrimmage per month)
12U Pee Wee (2012-2013): (2 Practices a week and 1 intra-squad mixed team scrimmage per month)
14U Bantam (2010-2011): (2 Practices a week and 1 intra-squad mixed team scrimmage per month)
16U/18U Midget (2006-2009): (2 Practices a week and 1 intra-squad mixed team scrimmage per month)
Please see our registration page for current pricing.
MITES (8U) In-House Program
For our young skaters new to the program, you may start in our 8U Mites In-House program at any time after both Learn to Skate & Learn to Play programs are completed.
Mite Structure (2016-2019)
- Games and practices utilize the blue (4 oz.) puck
- Games will be cross-ice in accordance with USA Hockey requirements
- 2 team practices per week (1 “Skills and Drills” and 1 Team Practice)
- 1 intra-squad mixed team scrimmage per month
- 1-2 Tournaments per season
- 85% individual skill development, 15% hockey sense/competition (small area games)
Please see our registration page for current pricing.
Mite Uniform Information:
Mites will receive dark & white practice jerseys & socks with registration. Players will be able to pick a number for their practice jerseys, and while we will do our best to keep that number once your player moves up to the Squirts, we cannot guarantee it will be available.
When the player moves up to the Squirts division a new number may need to be selected if their Mites number is not available when they purchase the required Jerseys/Socks.
Coed interscholastic League Opportunities
The Sunbury Stampede is part of the Central Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (https://www.cpihl.com). Different levels are available for Middle School (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Grade) and also JV / Varsity (9th,10th,11th,12th Grade) depending on number of age appropriate players registered with the SVYHC.
Our Scholastic program provides a competitive option for our players who want to compete
beyond their house/rec experience. The Central PA Interscholastic Hockey League (CPIHL) allows
our players to compete with middle school, junior varsity and varsity hockey players throughout the
region. Although the league, which has been established for 25+ years maintains a developmental
emphasis, this is a more competitive option and may not be the best fit for players who are seeking
our typical recreation experience in our house programs.
Players in 5th , 6th , 7th and 8th grades have an opportunity to play on one of our middle school teams, while players in 9th , 10th , 11th , and 12th grades can sign up to compete for a chance to play at the varsity or junior varsity levels. All players seeking to compete at the scholastic level will be assessed by our coaching staff, and placed according to their abilities and development. Parent coaches will not participate in assessments at the level in which their children compete.
Scholastic teams will have one additional team practice per week, and will play approximately 20 games per season. All home games will be played at Twin Ponds East in Harrisburg, and travel games will be relatively close to the Harrisburg area.
Home games for this league are played at Twin Ponds East in Harrisburg. (http://www.twinponds.com)
Games can be played during the week or weekend.
Fees: Please see our registration page for current pricing.
Practices for the Interscholastic teams are 1 time a week plus 1 game once they begin. This is in addition to the 2 practices and games for the In-House program.
