As we prepare for the next hockey season, youth hockey tryouts are upon us, your player or goalie may be ready to move from the house league to the travel team. But, how do you know if it’s the right time for the move?

Many young players start out in the house league where they have the opportunity to develop their skills and compete with other local teams. However, as players progress and become more skilled, they may feel ready to take their game to the next level by joining a travel hockey team. We will explore 3 keys to what it means to move from the house league to travel hockey and what players and parents should expect from this transition.

Skill Level

  1. Skill level continues to develop with each older age group.

Your child should have a strong foundation of basic hockey skills: skating, stickhandling, and shooting. They should also be able to play in a team setting and follow instructions.

If your youth hockey club holds tryouts, be sure that your player has the foundations of hockey for their age level. If your child is not comfortable with the skills and drills they have been performing at last season’s practices they are not ready for the travel team yet. Use some of the statements from their coach about your child’s skill level. You may even ask their house league coach if they think your child is ready for the travel team.

Time Commitment

  1. Travel hockey requires a greater commitment of time and effort than house league hockey for both your player and the parents.

Your child should be able to handle the travel, the extra practices, and the competition. It’s important to be able to balance school work with this bigger time commitment too.

Parents need to make sure that the travel time commitment works with the family schedule. We recommend exploring the tentative travel schedule for your hockey club before tryouts. Ask other parents in your club who have kids on the travel team for more details on travel, practice times, number of practices a week, tournaments and other team activities so you are prepared for the time commitment.

The hockey time commitment goes beyond practices, games and tournaments. There are teambuilding and fundraising activities as well as the length of the season. Our son stayed in the house league for a number of years because of other sports and music commitments. Be sure to take a close look at your family schedule to prepare for the travel hockey life.

Motivation

  1. Your child should be motivated to play travel hockey. Motivated to work hard, listen well, keep up their grades in school, and continue to improve their hockey skills. They should enjoy the game. Hockey is a game and they should be having fun. It’s a balance of work and fun.

If your child meets all of these criteria, then they may be ready to move up to travel hockey. However, it is important to remember that every child is different. Some children may be ready to move up sooner, while others may need more time. It is also important to talk to your child about their goals and expectations. If they are not sure if they are ready for travel hockey, then you may want to wait a year.

Here are some additional things to consider when making the decision to move your child to travel hockey:

  • The cost of travel hockey can be significantly higher than house league hockey.
  • Travel hockey can be more demanding on your child’s time and energy.
  • Travel hockey can be more competitive, which may lead to more pressure and stress for your child.

It is important to weigh all of these factors before making a decision. If you are still unsure, then you may want to talk to your child’s coach or another trusted hockey advisor.

Making the move from house league hockey to travel hockey can be an exciting and rewarding experience for your player and you. By joining a travel team players have the opportunity to compete at a higher level, travel to new places, and meet new teammates. However, it is important for both players and parents to understand the commitments and expectations that come with this transition. With the right preparation and dedication, your youth hockey player can thrive in travel hockey and continue to grow as an athlete and individual.

Whether you decide to stay in the house league or move up to the travel team, have a great season, and may your family continue to develop your love of the game. Have a great season.