Youth hockey in the DMV is booming! Ever since the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018, we’ve seen a massive uptick in fans, including the newest younger generation of future hockey players. A large part of our mission is to help grow and nurture that community. I created this section to help those who may not know what options are available and explain the various complicated world of youth hockey in the DMV. Please note this list primarily encompasses the lower levels of hockey and does not include information about Junior Hockey or National Level Programs.
Local Tier I AAA Hockey
Tier I AAA Hockey:
Let’s define the different Tiers of Youth Hockey in the DMV. At the very top, we have what is called Tier I AAA hockey. These are the top hockey programs in the area and come with significant obligations and financial considerations. We have two organizations in the DMV. The Washinton Little Capitals (Little Caps) recently relocated to Ion International Training Center in Leesburg. Before being at Ion, the Little Caps were collocated with the Washington Capitals at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Some other websites may not have been updated from the 2019-2020 season, making you think they are still at MedStar. Another term you might hear associated with MedStar is Kettle. Kettler used to own the building, and the name became synonymous with the rink. The second Tier I AAA team in the area is Team Maryland. Team MD primarily uses Rockville Ice Area as its home rink. However, they will sometimes use Piney Orchard Ice Arena if needed.
Here are a couple of important notes about Tier I AAA Hockey in our area. First, both organizations start at the 12U level. Second, both organizations structure their respective teams by birth year. This means for the 2022-2023 season. The starting birth year is 2011. Most teams do not allow younger players to “play up,” meaning a 2012 player generally cannot play with the 2011 team. A few exceptions have been made, but it is extremely rare.
The Washington Little Caps and Team Maryland play in separate leagues, but they still compete and play games against one another and have quite the rivalry going. Team Maryland plays in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), and an independent showcase series called Eastern Exposure Series (EES). Due to these factors, Team Maryland schedules their games and ensures a similar compete level due to these factors. The Little Caps play in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) and join the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League as a showcase in the upcoming 2022-23 Season.
Tier I AAA Cost:
I’ve sampled some of the costs associated with Tier I AAA hockey in our area. Pricing is constantly fluctuating, but it is a good reference point. All prices shown pulled from public access information and the 2021-22 season. The Little Caps did not publish their previous season dues, but they are most likely in line with the information below. Something to think about, Tier I AAA hockey travels father than Tier II AA clubs. Most travel for AAA may require plane tickets if the player is in public school.
TM MD Peewee: Cash upfront cost: $6,000 | Credit Card or Three checks during the season: $6,125. Pricing shown does NOT include Player/Parent Travel, Game Jerseys and Socks or other equipment (gloves & helmet), or Peewee Quebec Expenses.
TM MD Bantam: Cash Upfront: $6,200 | Credit Card or Three checks during the season: $6,300. Pricing shown does NOT include Player/Parent Travel, Game Jerseys and Socks, or other related equipment (gloves & helmet).
TM MD Midget: Cash upfront cost: $7,900 | Credit card or three checks during the season: $8,150. Pricing shown does NOT include Player/Parent Travel, Game Jerseys and Socks, or other related equipment (gloves & helmet).
TM MD Midget (18U): Cash upfront cost: $8,500 | Credit card or three checks during the season: $8,750. Pricing shown does NOT include Player/Parent Travel, Game Jerseys and Socks, or other related equipment (gloves & helmet).
Next, we have Tier II AA hockey. AA hockey is the primary means for youth players to begin the travel hockey experience. Most clubs in the area start at the 8U level and go up to the 18U level. I have made a list of the AA hockey programs in the local area listed below. My suggestion is to find the nearest rink to your house and see what clubs are nearby. I get many questions regarding the quality and competitiveness of the various clubs. While everyone has their opinions, I believe that each year is different, and there are way too many variables to answer that question. All the clubs in the area have their pros and cons, just like anything else in life.
Tier II AA Costs:
Like AAA hockey in the area, AA hockey comes with its costs. The club dues are similar to AAA hockey. Last year my son played 10U AA, and our club dues were around $3,500, and we had a “Team Assessment Fee” that came out to about another $1,000. Altogether, the season cost without gear was $5,000. Two tournament fees were NOT included in the price. The first is a tournament hosted in February in Tampa. The second is the Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice” CAN-AM tournament. Then there was the travel. A HUGE headache when getting into the travel hockey world is the hotel monopoly monstrosity. Most tournaments are categorized as “Stay to Play” tournaments. This means that when the team manager registers the team to play in tournaments, you are told what hotel you have to stay in and how much it will cost. You have zero say in the decision or the cost! Take our Tampa tournament, for example. We were forced to stay in a Holiday Inn Express. That’s not bad in itself. What was bad was the amount of mold and how dirty it was and how much we were forced to pay, $189 a night, and that doesn’t include tax!
Travel Hockey Cost Summary: Be prepared to spend thousands of dollars for one season of travel hockey. I would budget around $10,000 a year for younger (Peewee & below) travel players and $15-20,000 for older (Bantam & up) players.
House hockey is where it’s at! Costs are much more reasonable, and it fits into more parents’ and players’ skill sets and attitudes. House hockey is where you have the chance to learn the game, enjoy the game and not spend every waking moment at an ice rink! House is fundamentally where players will start once they know how to skate well enough. There are some excellent house programs out there, and believe it or not, they travel! They don’t travel far like AA or AAA hockey, but due to the lack of players here in the DMV house, they are forced to play other local rinks. In this case, the farthest you might have to travel is about an hour, maybe an hour and a half, with traffic. These programs are central to the rinks and usually are affiliated with a AA travel hockey program. Find a rink near you on the map and call and ask about house teams for more info. Costs for these are much more reasonable, with it usually running a few hundred dollars for the season. You might hit $1,000 if the program decides to enter some local tournaments.
In this section, I’ll cover some of the lesser-known programs which we as a community should be preaching and shouting about. First, Try hockey for free! Yes, TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE!!! USA Hockey and local organizations/rinks are teaming up to help broaden the community. After all, Hockey Is For EVERYONE! Most rinks sponsor a day/weekend/week where anyone can come to the rink and put on some free (most likely used but clean) gear, skates, and stick and hit the ice to try it out. Many high-level coaches/players and club alumni are giving back by being on the ice and a part of these events. Please, reach out to any rink and let them know you’re into hockey and want to try it. Someone somehow will find a way to get you on the ice. I have never seen someone in the community actively tell a person not to try it. Hockey is addicting.
Future Caps: This program is affiliated with our deal NHL team, The Washington Capitals. The “Big Caps” sponsor this program. Targeted at younger kids 10U and below, Future Caps provides FREE GEAR to the kids that sign up, including ice skates! If you want to get a little one involved, you’ll need to head over to the Washington Capital’s website to see which rinks are affiliated with the program. I know MedStar Capitals Iceplex, Ashburn Ice House, and The St. James are affiliated and can provide more information.
Learn to Play: Most rinks will have a Learn to Play (L2P) program. It is designed to get the players more comfortable on the ice and teach the very basics of the sport. It’s a great way to enter into the world of hockey, and the best part is, you don’t have to be young to do this. Any age is allowed to participate in L2P. The ice is typically separated into groups of similar age/skill players, and the coaches go through the basics. It’s a great way to get engaged, and if you’re experienced or have a kid that wants more ice time, it’s a great way to give back to the community.
Before you head out to play hockey, it’s essential to know what gear you’ll need and where to get it. Let’s start with the basics. From feet to head, outside to inside, we got you covered. I’ll go more in-depth about different brands, product lines, prices, and aspects of gear later on.
1. Skates
a. Hockey skates are different than shoes, and the sizing is way different, and sizes typically run 1-2 sizes smaller than the shoes you wear. I.E., I’m a size 10.5 in sneakers but a size 8 in skates.
b. Another note about skates, most manufacturers make their products in three or four lines: Youth, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.
c. Socks or barefoot, it’s your choice. I do not recommend getting super thick socks as they lead to blisters, heat, sweat, and slippage.
2. Shinpads
a. These are measured in inches, and I recommend going into a shop to get fitted. While The Sharpening Dude can help you understand your fit, we currently do not sell gear and would not be able to have you try stuff on.
3. Hockey Socks
a. These go over your shinpads and tuck into your skates or rest at the ankles. There are a few variations on the material and fit. Sometimes you will need to use clear hockey tape to hold them and your gear in place.
4. Hockey Pants
a. These are large pants/shorts with hard plastic pads encased in softer foam for a comfortable fit. They come in different styles and fits. Some people use suspenders to have them hold up a bit better in heavy sprint/hitting scenarios.
5. Jock/Jill
a. This is the undergarment used to protect your most sensitive areas. It’s a fight sometimes to get kids to wear them, but you should always wear them. Boys especially have learned the hard way more than a time or two. Be sure to buy the right size for the right age.
6. Undershirt
a. A moisture-wicking garment is recommended since you generally sweat a lot in hockey. They make a lot of unique kinds designed explicitly for players, and you don’t need to purchase those if you’re starting, and some folks use a regular tee shirt instead.
7. Shoulder Pads
a. These are particularly important for younger players. Over the years, we’ve seen some traumatic injuries to the chest, sometimes resulting in dire consequences. I recommend getting a sternum protection set, especially for younger players playing in advanced leagues/games. One hard slapshot to the sternum can stop a heart in a little guy.
8. Elbow Pads
a. Elbow pads protect us when we fall mainly. It’s good advice to be sure they’re snug so they don’t slip off when you fall.
9. Jersey
a. Most players prefer to wear a practice jersey as lightweight and give a bit more than a game jersey. I do not recommend wearing your NHL jersey if you’re going to be playing with more advanced players. People tend to make fun of players wearing NHL player jersyes unless you’re very young or just starting. It’s a bit harder to find good quality practice jerseys now.
10. Neck Protector
a. This is something that’s a hot topic now. Earlier in the 2021-22 season, the hockey community lost a young player to a skate cut in the neck. It was a pure accident but still changed the community. While it is not required, I highly recommend getting a neck protector for all ages and skills.
11. Helmet & Cage/Bubble
a. The helmet is the most essential piece you’ll buy. It will cost you a pretty penny, but with a contact sport and slippery ice, it’s worth every penny and more. There are many different selections, but I recommend going at least the mid-product line and expecting to pay around $150-$250 for a decent bucket! Cages or Bubbles (clear face shield) are required for all youth and college players, and it is not required for Beer Leagues, Adult Stick and Puck sessions, or Professional Hockey.
12. Hockey Stick & Tape Jobs
a. In the beginning, any old hockey stick will work. As you progress in skill, they get way more personal. A hockey stick is measured in a few different ways. The most important and common one is “Flex.” Flex is a number generally starting at either 20 or 30 flex and moving up into the mid-hundreds. That number means how many pounds of pressure it takes to flex the stick one inch. However, it also determines how tall this stick is for youth/junior players. Again, just like skates, sticks are separated into four categories: Youth, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior. Some manufacturers might use “buzz” words such as elite/professional/ultra, but that is mostly marketing. I plan to make a video to explain a lot more on this subject and post/link it here. If you have any gear questions, contact me, and I’ll help you out as best I can.
b. Tape Jobs – This is highly personal but worth mentioning. Having a good-looking tape job is more than just looks, and a good TJ can help you handle the puck better and get that super quick shot off. Check out this video, where I try to copy Alex Ovechkins TJ.
Ashburn Ice House
Details from Google Maps
21595 Smith Switch Rd, Ashburn, VA 20147
+1 703-858-0300
4.3
Fairfax Ice Arena
Details from Google Maps
3779 Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA 22031
+1 703-323-1132
4.0
Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Details from Google Maps
3779 Ely Pl SE, Washington, DC 20019
+1 202-584-5007
4.5
Haymarket Iceplex
Details from Google Maps
15155 Washington St, Haymarket, VA 20169
+1 703-753-4423
4.2
Ion International Training Center
Details from Google Maps
19201 Compass Creek Pkwy SE, Leesburg, VA 20175
+1 703-936-0101
4.5
Loudoun Ice Centre
Details from Google Maps
22149 Davis Dr #155, Sterling, VA 20164
+1 703-444-0600
4.2
MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Details from Google Maps
627 N Glebe Rd SUITE 800, Arlington, VA 22203
+1 571-224-0555
www.medstarcapitalsiceplex.com
4.5
Mount Vernon RECenter
Details from Google Maps
2017 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307
+1 703-768-3224
4.4
Prince William Ice Center
Details from Google Maps
5180 Dale Blvd, Woodbridge, VA 22193
+1 703-730-8423
4.4
SkateQuest
Details from Google Maps
1800 Michael Faraday Ct, Reston, VA 20190
+1 703-709-1010
4.4
The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex
Details from Google Maps
6805 Industrial Rd, Springfield, VA 22151
+1 703-239-6870
4.3
Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating
Details from Google Maps
1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202
+1 703-418-6666
4.3
The Wharf Ice Rink
Details from Google Maps
970 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
+1 202-317-9643
4.2
Mosaic Skateland
Details from Google Maps
2905 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031
2.4
Canal Park Outdoor Ice Skating
Details from Google Maps
200 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003
+1 202-850-0859
4.6
Bowie Ice Arena
Details from Google Maps
3330 Northview Dr, Bowie, MD 20716
+1 301-809-3090
4.6
Cabin John Ice Rink
Details from Google Maps
10610 Westlake Dr, Rockville, MD 20852
+1 301-765-8620
4.4
Capital Clubhouse
Details from Google Maps
3033 Waldorf Market Pl, Waldorf, MD 20603
+1 301-932-4348
4.3
Columbia Ice Rink
Details from Google Maps
5876 Thunder Hill Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
+1 410-730-0322
4.4
Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex
Details from Google Maps
580 Security Rd, Hagerstown, MD 21740
+1 301-766-9122
4.4
Herbert Wells Ice Rink
Details from Google Maps
5211 Campus Dr, College Park, MD 20740
+1 301-277-3717
4.4
Ice World
Details from Google Maps
1300 Governor Ct, Abingdon, MD 21009
+1 410-612-1000
4.3
Mc Mullen Hockey Arena
Details from Google Maps
64 Greenbury Point Rd, Annapolis, MD 21402
+1 410-293-9700
4.5
Mimi DiPietro Family Skating Center
Details from Google Maps
200 S Linwood Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
+1 410-396-9392
4.0
Mt Pleasant Ice Arena
Details from Google Maps
6101 Hillen Rd, Baltimore, MD 21239
+1 443-984-4075
4.0
Piney Orchard Ice Arena
Details from Google Maps
8781 Piney Orchard Pkwy, Odenton, MD 21113
+1 410-672-7013
4.4
Skate Frederick
Details from Google Maps
1288 Riverbend Way, Frederick, MD 21701
+1 301-662-7362
4.3
Talbot County Ice Skating Rink
Details from Google Maps
10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601
+1 410-770-8050
4.5
The Gardens Ice House
Details from Google Maps
13800 Old Gunpowder Rd, Laurel, MD 20707
+1 301-953-0100
4.5
Tucker Road Ice Rink
Details from Google Maps
1770 Tucker Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744
+1 301-265-1525
4.6
Wheaton Ice Arena
Details from Google Maps
11717 Orebaugh Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902
+1 301-905-3000
4.5
The Sharpening Dude LLC
Details from Google Maps
6455 Holyoke Dr, Annandale, VA 22003
+1 240-370-9854
5.0
Pure Hockey
Details from Google Maps
21031 Tripleseven Rd Suite 100, Sterling, VA 20165
+1 571-434-7404
4.6
Pure Hockey
Details from Google Maps
815 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
+1 301-444-4800
4.7
First Line Training Center
Details from Google Maps
40-C, Southlawn Ct, Rockville, MD 20850
+1 301-637-9971
www.firstlinetrainingcenter.com
4.6
Red Line Athletic Club LLC
Details from Google Maps
10610 Westlake Dr, Rockville, MD 20852
+1 703-244-1916
2.5
Arlington Knights Hockey
Details from Google Maps
3708 4th St N, Arlington, VA 22203
+1 703-403-9316
www.arlingtonknightshockey.org
HockeyCore
Details from Google Maps
50 Southlawn Ct, Rockville, MD 20850
+1 727-667-2694