February Break is coming up in Addison County schools. MAHA is hosting two skills clinics at Memorial Sports Center. They are fundraisers: after paying for coach and ice time, all remaining proceeds will go to MAHA. All sessions are one-hour long and co-ed!
Tuesday, Feb 25 - Stick Handling with Meghan Sweezey
Meghan Sweezey (owner of Girls4Hockey and Head Coach of the St. Mike’s women’s hockey team) will come down to Middlebury to run 3 sessions for us:
Session 1 @11:15 AM - 8U.
Session 2 @12:30 PM - 10U and 12UT4.
Session 3 @ 1:45 PM - 12UT3, 14U, and MUHS.
Max of 35 skaters. No goalies.
Cost: $20/ skater. Register here!
Wednesday, Feb 26 - Skills Clinic with Swaggy P
Peter Lenes (“Swaggy P”) co-owns Elevate802 and you might have seen some of his tricks on social media. He will run two sessions for us. (Sorry, no 8U.)
Session 1 @ 11:00 AM - 10U and 12UT4.
Session 2 @ 12:15 PM - 12UT3, 14U, and MUHS.
Max of 25 skaters. No goalies.
Cost: $40/ skater. Register here!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Taylor (growthegame@middhockey.com).
The playdowns are scheduled! Every year, VSAHA (Vermont State Amateur Hockey Association, vermonthockey.org) runs State Tournaments for all age groups 10U and older. All teams from one tier (for example, 10UT2) gather for “playdowns” with the goal of reducing the large field of teams to the best two. (There are so many 12U T3 and T4 teams in the state that there is a north and a south bracket. The winner of each bracket moves on.) Once a tier has determined its two best teams, they advance to Championship Weekend to play for the State Championship in their particular tier.
Playdowns are truly something special—all games are played in one location over the course of a day or two, teams share meals, there's lots of cheering, and let’s not forget the thrill of possibly advancing! But there’s more: parents will decorate the rink, there will be raffle baskets, and much more. The entry fees are already included in your MAHA dues.
MAHA is happy to host two playdowns this season: 10UT4 (February 14–16) and 12UT4 (February 21–23). For these playdowns, all of MAHA will come together. We will ask all members of the club (from 8U to 14U) to help with ticket sales, concessions, staffing penalty boxes, operating the clock, playing music, and more. Whether your child has just joined MAHA or this is your last season of youth hockey, it is our expectation that everyone will pitch in—hosting playdowns is a major operation, and all hands on deck will be needed. Sign-ups will be shared soon. If your player is out of town for one playdown weekend, please sign up to help during the other weekend.
Please mark your calendars. The playdowns for our MAHA teams are as follows:
10U T4: Feb 14-16 @ Middlebury (double elimination)
10U T2: Feb 14-16 @ Rutland (double elimination)
12U T4: Feb 21-23 @ Middlebury (double elimination)
12U T3: Feb 21-23 @ Woodstock (double elimination)
14U: Feb 21-23 @ Northshire (round robin)
Rutland will host this season’s Championship Weekend at Spartan Arena, Feb 28-March 2.
The Vermont State Champion earns the chance to advance to Regionals (12U in Maine, 14U in New Hampshire—there are no Regionals for 10U) in Mid-March. In 2023, our 10UT2 team reached the State Championship but fell just short in a hard-fought 2:1 battle against the Black Bears. In 2022, our 14UT3 won in OT (!) against LAYHA and moved on to Regionals.
You can find more information about the 2025 State Championship Tournament here and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions!
This is your chance to make history! On Saturday, January 25, at 6:00 PM, join us at Gutterson Fieldhouse as our Women's Hockey team takes on UConn.
This is Ellie Simmons’s team, MAHA’s goalie coach!
We aim to break the Hockey East attendance record and need you to make it happen! Tickets are just $2, so bring everyone you know, fill the stands, and create an electric atmosphere.
Your voice can help make history. Don't miss this unforgettable night!
Here’s the link: https://pn1.glitnirticketing.com/pnticket/web/stadiumg.php?event_id=292&status_id=2
If you can, wear green and gold. Go, Cats, go!
Learn to Skate 2025 starts Sunday January 12th!
Sundays from 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
6 sessions: 1/12 - 2/16 --> this Sunday!
For everyone aged 4 to 10. (Please reach out to us if you have a motivated 3-year old.)
Cost: $90
USA Hockey Registration required? No.
Register here!
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Skates
We strongly recommend you purchase “lace-up” type skates instead of molded; this includes both hockey and figure skates. When buying skates, make sure they fit properly and have good ankle support (an appropriate skate size is typically 1 full size smaller than a shoe size). Have your child walk around in their skates prior to buying them and check to make sure their ankles remain upright and well supported. How well they walk in their skates off-ice will often be a good indication of how they will do on ice. Avoid buying skates 1 or 2 sizes bigger (as tempting as it may be so they can “grow into them”). Skates need to be snug in the heel area with a slight bit of wiggle room in the toe area. Light socks that are breathable work best vs heavy sport socks.
Helmets
A helmet is mandatory for all on-ice programs, skaters will not be allowed on the ice without a proper helmet. Bike helmets will be allowed.
Clothing
Skaters should wear athletic or outdoor winter clothing and avoid jeans, as these restrict movement. It is best to dress skaters in layers to prevent them from getting cold during their skating lessons. Skaters also need to wear mitts or gloves. We suggest skaters wear knee pads/shin guards, but this is not mandatory.
Where to Get Equipment:
MAHA has limited equipment to borrow. Please reach out to Matt Booska, equipment@middhockey.com to see what we have available.
Play it Again Sports, 150 Dorset Street, South Burlington, 802-865-3021
Kevin Smith Sports, 10 Dorset Street, South Burlington, 802-658-0848
We are running a fundraiser: Heather Seeley (Becka’s mom and girls hockey advocate extraordinaire) has designed MAHA travel mugs. They are insulated, perfect for hot drinks during hockey games, dish washer safe, and available in orange and in black. $25/ mug. If you’d like to order one (or more), please use this link:
Our Middlebury Girls House League offers:
Whether your daughter is lacing up her skates for the first time or dreaming of collegiate hockey, MAHA's Girls Program is a place for her to thrive on the ice.
Program information:
Ready to sign up? Click here!
Questions about Girls House League? Contact Meghan Del Giacco
MAHA and neighboring youth hockey associations need more officials. Become an official this winter to give back and help ensure the games go on!
Questions? Contact MAHA President Booth Hodde or MSC Rink Manager Rick Marshall
If you are interested in working on your game after the season, here are a few camps to consider. We encourage you to reach out to your coaches to discuss which camp might best suit your interests.
Rutland Summer Ice - 3v3, Skills and Stick & Puck
Vermont Flames Spring Skills Camp
Vermont Flames Summer Hockey School
Dave Randall - North American Hockey Systems
Please let us know if you recommend others not listed here!
Memorial Sports Center is now a member of the LiveBarn network, joining over 800+ rinks throughout the United States and Canada in providing streaming and on demand video of our events.
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