We have designed the Learn to Play (LTP) program to provide beginners, ages 4 and up, with the opportunity to learn and practice the fundamentals of individual and team hockey in a fun environment. We’ve structured our program towards boys and girls who already possess some skating ability as a learn-to-play hockey program. Advanced skating skills are not required. However, we strongly encourage each player to have some basic skating ability, such as having completed programs such as Snowplow Sam or Basic 3 or similar skating lessons (offered by Fairfax County Parks Authority or others). Skating fundamentals are critical for this age group; we continuously emphasize such fundamentals throughout the season. This is not a skating lesson program, but this is a great introductory program for youth who would like to try hockey!

Sessions run on Sundays from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm for at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center starting September of each year. Typically, three sessions are conducted each year, running from September to May. Our third session is scheduled to begin on January 27, 2019 as a eight-week session that ends on March 17th.

We continue to improve the Learn to Play program session content from year to year. For older skaters, our session runs from 5:30 to 7:00 pm (the full 90 minutes). For our younger skaters, we have split the 90-minute ice period into two 45-minute periods; each young skater will get 45 minutes of skating time. Those sessions run from 5:30 to 6:15 pm and from 6:15 to 7:00 pm. The cost for full ice time (90 min) is $150 per 10-week session; 45-minute session fees are set at $100.  Additionally, we are teamed with the Washington Capitals' Learn-to-play program, where a limited number of players can register with them for our program.  Each applicant must be a first-time skater between the ages of 5-9 to qualify.  The cost with the Caps is $170, but equipment is provided:  https://learntoplay.nhl.com/capitals

LTP Session #3 for the 2018-2019 season is scheduled as follows (Mt Vernon Rink starting at 5:30pm (1st-45 min period and 90 min period) and 6:15pm (2nd 45-min period):

Jan 27, Feb 03, 10, 17, 24, Jan 03, 10, 17*

If you would like any additional information, please send an email to the Head Coach, John Rader