Welcome to the Comets Learn To Play program information section. We will introduce your children, as young as the age of 4, to the game of ice hockey with an emphasis on safety, fun, and sportsmanship. First time skaters are welcome. Our goal is to teach a new skater how to skate and then introduce them to the game of hockey. For experienced skaters, we will focus on improving their skills, including sportsmanship.
There will be only two skill level groups on ice for both the 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM start times. Based on attendance levels the Natick Comets may merge the 1:00 PM group into the 12:00 group in sessions 2 and 3.
Our sessions are dedicated to a fun, non-competitive environment every Saturday and Sunday. Our non-competitive evaluations and placement will take place within the first couple of weekends of each session. We will monitor all skaters throughout each session, encouraging progression every weekend.
This Learn To Play program provides first-time, progressing and advanced young skaters the opportunity to learn and practice fundamental hockey skills in a fun, noncompetitive environment. Participants will progress at their own pace through various levels of the program. First-time skaters will focus on fundamentals including balance, posture, and stride. Progressing skaters will practice edge work, crossovers, and stopping. Advanced skaters will be introduced to puck handling, passing, and shooting, in order to prepare for Comets House League and travel team hockey.
All skaters will participate in a variety of skating drills and games designed to improve their skating ability. Cross-ice pickup games will also be held periodically. The Learn To Play program is available in 3 separate sessions throughout the hockey season. We recommended that skaters attend all 3 sessions for maximum development. We specifically encourage first-time skaters to attend at least 3 sessions if they plan on trying out for the house league or travel team programs the following year.
Learn To Play participants must be at least 4 years old at the session commencement date and must be able to work on his/her own in a large group setting. Session 1 is a great warm-up for those skaters moving into our House League program.
Directors of Learn To Play: Co-Directors Mark Dangelo and Nick Connolly
LEARN TO PLAY INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE - 2018/19 SEASON
| Skills Session 1 Only |
September 15 - November 4 - $150 |
| Skills Session 2 Only |
November 10 - January 20 - $150 |
| Skills Session 3 Only |
January 26 - March 24 - $150 |
| Skills Sessions 1 & 2 |
September 15 - January 20 - $250 |
| Skills Sessions 1 & 3 |
September 15 - November 4 AND January 26 - March 24 - $250 |
| Skills Sessions 2 & 3 |
November 10 - January 20 AND January 26 - March 24 - $250 |
| All 3 Skills Sessions |
September 15 - March 24 - $350 |
Weekly Learn To Play sessions per the dates above are Saturday and Sunday and are 50 minutes in length. Please note Learn to Play fees are non-refundable.
Group 1 (skaters age 6 and under) at 12:00 - 12:50 PM; and Group 2 (skaters age 7 and over) at 1:00 - 1:50 PM. Further group assignments based on age, size, and skating ability, will be made after the first session. Based on attendance levels the Natick Comets may merge the 1:00 PM group into the 12:00 group in sessions 2 and 3.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LEARN TO PLAY SESSION EXCEPTIONS
There are no 2018-2019 season Learn To Play sessions on the following dates:
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Sunday, March 10, 2019
IMPORTANT: Skaters are required to wear hockey gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, athletic cup/pelvic protector, shin pads, hockey pants, and helmet with cage or face shield and a mouthguard. Figure skates are not allowed. Players must also have a hockey stick. A neck guard is optional but highly recommended. Players that do not have all required equipment will not be allowed on the ice.
