Learn to Play Program 

The NoVA Ice Dogs Learn to Play (LTP) program is designed to provide players ages 5 and up with the opportunity to learn and practice the fundamentals of individual and team hockey in a fun and supportive environment. Our program is based on the USA Hockey American Development Model, emphasizing the basic hockey skills: skating, puck handling, passing and scoring. Each skill is introduced and refined in a progressive, one-step-at-a-time manner and then again through repetition. Children learn and develop through participating in practice drills and informal and modified games.  

Coach Mike Hearon will lead the program with support from skating instructor Coach Lauren and other Ice Dog volunteer coaches and players. Coach Mike is a career Navy Pilot and will be volunteering his time with the Ice Dogs while stationed here. He grew up playing hockey on Long Island, played club hockey at Fordham University, and currently plays adult hockey with the D.C. Armed Forces Club. Mike’s wife, Coach Lauren, is a professional skating instructor. Together, they hope to grow your child's love for hockey and support the Ice Dogs mission. 

The LTP fall season consists of ten 45-minute sessions,* beginning Sunday Sept 18 through Sunday Nov 20.  

LTP1 is for players 5-8 (birth years 2014-2017) and runs 5:30-6:15 pm. 

LTP2 is for players age 9 and older (birth years 2010-2013) and runs 6:15-7:00 pm. 

Group assignments may be adjusted based on numbers and skills of players.  

Please make sure you arrive at the rink in time to get your player dressed out, skates tied etc. so they are ready to get on the ice at their group’s start time!  

Prerequisites 

• Players should have basic skating skills, such as those taught in “Snowplow Sam” programs 1 and 2 (offered through the Fairfax County Parks Authority) or the equivalent. This includes knowing how to fall down and get up, start, stop, and turn.  

• Participants need to register with USAHockey. Registration fees vary by birth year. Your USAHockey registration number is good for a full year (August-August). 

• LTP skaters need full gear (helmet, pads, gloves, sticks, skates) to be on the ice. Check out gear inventory lists here. The Ice Dogs have *very limited* supplies of gear to loan: contact info@novaicedogs.org if you need help locating gear. 

Registration 

Skaters ages 5-8 (Birth years 2014-2017) register for LTP 1, 5:30-6:15pm 

Skaters ages 9-12 (Birth years 2010-2013) register for LTP2, 6:15-7:00pm 

LTP sessions take place Sunday evenings 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20  

Group assignments may be adjusted based on numbers and skills of players. 

Register here: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/334491 

*This season’s LTP structure returns to two 45-minute blocks, as it was prior to 2020. By designating the first block for younger players and the second block for older players, our coaches are better able to plan age-and skill-appropriate instruction and activities. Although we no longer have the option for players to participate in both blocks (for 90 minutes), the Ice Dogs will be offering a range of clinics and power skating opportunities, in addition to the stick and puck and open skates available through the ReCenter, for developing players to get more instruction and ice time. 

The registration period is closed, but some teams may still have space. Please contact kristi.carbone@novaicedogs.org to see if your player's age group has a spot. 

Remember that you need a NEW USA Hockey number to register for the 2022-23 season. Get it here:  

https://membership.usahockey.com/ 

Registration closes July 15 or when teams are full. If your player's age group is full, go here to be added to the waitlist.

Cost: $1350 for 10U-18U; $800 for 8U 

20% discount for goalies (10U-18U) and siblings of first registered player. Please email kristi.carbone@novaicedogs.org to get a goalie discount code. No designated goalies at 8U. 

Dates: Season runs mid/late August (pre-season warm ups and evaluations) through early March (final tournaments) 

Season includes one weekend practice and one weekend game or scrimmage. 

NEW THIS SEASON: 1-2 monthly weeknight supplemental clinics INCLUDED WITH FEE!!  

Ages: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 16/18U. Teams are coed.  

Register here: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/317004

More info: 

• Current players were registered Ice Dogs during the 2021-22 regular season and/or enrolled in mini-leagues, 3v3, or skills clinics during spring 2022. Players registered as Ice Dogs in previous seasons or new to the club can register beginning July 1.   

• We plan to play the full season with Mount Vernon ReCenter as our Home Ice, with supplemental ice at Fort Dupont and Tucker Road as needed. Home games and practices will be at MVRC, Fort Dupont or Tucker Road. Away games will be played at area ice rinks.  

• You will need to renew your child’s USA Hockey number in order to register: https://membership.usahockey.com/ 

• At registration you will be prompted to identify how you’d like to get involved in helping the organization! There are many choices, from helping out your team as a manager, game day support (clock, scoresheet, penalty box), helping with events, fundraising, social media, board functions, uniforms, etc. We are an all-volunteer organization and it takes all of us to make things work! If you would like to know more about the opportunities please reach out to megan.gottemoeller@novaicedogs.org.