DEVO (Learn to Play Hockey)

Purpose:  The purpose of the Development (Devo) program is to increase the skill level of young skaters within the Komets association by focusing on skill development and placing the players in situations where they can maximize the amount of time touching the puck.  The quickest way for a player to improve is by focusing on skills rather than playing games.

Why Cross-Ice Games?  Cross-ice games maximize the amount of time players handle the puck.  At any level of play, an average player may only have control of the puck for a few seconds during the course of a game.  In a small area/cross-ice game, that same player may have over a minute of puck possession time over the course of 6-7 shifts in one 10 minute game. (Source: USA Hockey)



General Format:

•       All players will practice one night per week.  These practices will be one hour in length and will primarily focus on developing the skills of the players and goalies.

•       Players will be divided based on their general skill level to ensure each player is being challenged appropriately and can focus on the next appropriate practice skill set.

•       Teams will play cross-ice games on Saturday mornings.

◦ Players will be split into teams and will have a set game schedule (all games to be played at Kenosha Ice)

•       Program is intended for skaters 3–10 years old

Skills Required*:

·         Get Up on Ice (without Assistance)

·         Forward Stride

·         Glide Turns (Both Directions)

·         Moving Backwards

·         Moving Snowplow Stops

*All skills must be performed without the use of skating aids. Skater's who do not meet any of the basic requirements may be moved to the IGNITION program.

*All dates and times are subject to change if necessary

Required Equipment: The minimum equipment required to participate in the development programs is:

• Hockey skates
• Hockey helmet w/face cage
• Hockey shin pads
• Hockey shorts “breezers”
• Hockey elbow pads
• Hockey gloves
• Hockey socks (worn over shin pads)
• Garter belt or hockey jock (holds hockey socks up and in place)
• A colored jersey will be provided by the program, one jersey per season

Need Equipment?

We've made some changes to our loaner equipment program this year. A $50 deposit check, post-dated April 1st, 2017, is now required to borrow Komets loaner equipment.

The Komets loaner equipment program operates based on an honor system and survives because of generous equipment and monetary donations from our members and various others in the community. Players in need of equipment can be sized up for equipment prior to the first day of each session. The loaner equipment is complimentary for the player's first year, as long as the player remains in the Komets Development program.

For complete information about our loaner equipment program see our Komets Development Loaner Equipment Policy and our Komets Development Loaner Equipment Agreement (Below).

We do not currently provide the following loaner equipment in our equipment bags:

• Mouth guards, neck guards, or supporters/cups
• Hockey socks – worn over knee pads - sold at Kenosha rink or local sporting goods store
• Hockey sticks – youth size (Ignition level) hockey sticks can purchased through the registration process.  Sticks are wood, left or right handed (straight blade) and cost $15

Please note, equipment is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Spring 2017" Equipment Outfitting will be:

Sunday, 2/26/2017   5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Anyone in need of equipment who registers after Sunday, 2/26/2017 will need to make arrangements with the program director.  Unfortunately we cannot guarantee later registrants will be outfitted before the next scheduled practice.

Membership Requirements: A USA Hockey (USAH) Membership Confirmation number is required for all hockey programs.  You'll be able to register your skater with USAH from within the Komets registration session.

Experienced with hockey and want to help coach our Development program? Please contact our Hockey Director using the contact information below.

NOTE:  All coaches are required to complete a standard background check prior to assisting on or off ice (provided by the Kenosha Komets).