MITES

Registration opens early/mid-August and closes at varying dates depending on level, with many levels closing late September/early October. Reference the Age Classifications and Registration Fee Information page for specifics.

Not a current WYHA member and interested in receiving notification when registration opens? Sign-up to receive our email communications through the link below.

How old does my child have to be to play Mite hockey (2024-25 season)?

How often are practices?

• Mini Mites (ages 4-5): Two indoor session (45 minutes) per week on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) beginning late October and going through February.
• Rookie Mites and Girls 6U (ages 5-6): Two indoor practices (60 minutes) per week on weekends (Saturday & Sunday).
• Intermediate Mites (ages 6-7): Two indoor practices (60 minutes) every weekend (Saturday & Sunday), plus a bi-weekly "competition" night (45 minutes) during the week.
• Girls 8U Advanced: Three indoor sessions (60 minutes) per week; two every weekend (Saturday & Sunday) plus a rotation of competition and skills sessions during the week (45 minutes, once weekly). Optional jamborees and scrimmages may be scheduled.
• Advanced Mites (ages 7-9): Three indoor sessions (60 minutes) per week; two every weekend (Saturday & Sunday) plus a rotation of competition and skills sessions during the week (45 minutes, once weekly). Optional jamborees and scrimmages may be scheduled.

Will my child have practice at the same times every week?

No. WYHA has access to four different sheets of ice at two locations, spread across many different teams at many different age levels. Because of the complexity of scheduling mite practices for 30+ mite teams alongside practices, games, and tournaments for dozens more teams at older playing levels, the schedule varies by week, and it is not always possible to set the schedule more than a few weeks in advance. Thank you in advance for your patience as our scheduler works to provide as much advance notice as possible for practice times.

What equipment does my child need?

• Certified Helmet (Recommended Color: Navy Blue)
• REQUIRED Neck Guard
• Shin Pads
• Elbow Pads
• Mouth Guard
• Skates
• Stick
• Cup or pelvic protector (w/ Velcro shorts to hold up the hockey socks)
• Breezers / Hockey Pants (Recommended Color: Navy Blue)
• Shoulder Pads
• Gloves

Hockey socks and jerseys will be provided at the first practice.

Does my child have to know how to skate to start hockey?

No. The WYHA Mite program is a developmental program designed to teach all kids the fundamental skills necessary to play the game of hockey, as well as the elementary concepts of the game itself. Skating is the most fundamental of these skills and a major focus of the entire Mite program.

At what Mite level do I register my child?

Players must register for the appropriate level according to their birth date. Only players that meet the play-up requirements are allowed to play-up. All play-ups must be approved by the WYHA registrar. Play-downs are only permitted due to a medical condition - no exceptions. Wayzata Youth Hockey is in alignment with the governing body, Minnesota Hockey, with regards to this policy. Please refer to the WYHA Age Level Policy for further clarification.

Will my child be placed with other children from his/her school?

WYHA will make its best effort to organize all Mini Mite, Rookie/6U, and Intermediate teams around schools, neighborhoods, and "play-with" requests. Players registering after the registration deadline are not guaranteed to be placed with "play-with" requests or their schools/neighborhoods.

Teams at the Advanced Mite/8U levels are balanced by skill level following an on-ice evaluation of all players. WYHA and the Advanced Mite coaches will still make an effort to form the teams with the school in mind to increase the likelihood that the players will have friends on their team. Please Note: Play with requests are not guaranteed at this level.

Do I need the players’ birth certificate in order to register?

If you registered your child with WYHA last year and submitted their birth certificate, we will have already ensured the birth certificate was officially recorded with USA Hockey.

If you are new to the program, we are required to receive a copy of the child’s birth certificate and verify it through USA Hockey before processing the registration forms. All copies of birth certificates or passports are deleted or destroyed after final approval.

Can I help coach my child's team?

Yes, as long as you complete the required steps to become certified as a mite coach through USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey, and WYHA. You will be asked if you want to coach during the registration process for your player. You will also need to register as a Coach with WYHA, Register as a Coach with USA Hockey, and complete all required training and background checks before you can take the ice with your child.

Do I need to live or go to school in the Wayzata School District?

Yes, players that live in District 284 automatically qualify to play with WYHA. Please note, Minnesota Hockey has instituted new waiver rules this year. Please view the new participation rule policy here: Participation Rule

Why are the fees higher for Advanced Mite levels?

The amount of ice time is increased at each Mite level. Advanced mite levels also participate in several skills clinics throughout the year as part of the program. The costs of the skills clinics are built into the registration fees.

Scholarships

Limited scholarship funds are available for families needing special financial consideration. The WYHA Executive board will approve all scholarships. Please note that a family’s participation in the school’s reduced/free lunch program is the prime criteria for scholarship consideration. Contact registrar@wayzatahockey.org for a Scholarship Form or further information.

Payment plans are not available. Initial registration fees for all players in the family are due at the time of registration.

In order to ensure that all players are able to participate with other players of their same skill level, Advanced Mites and 8U players (generally 2^nd and 3^rd graders) participate in an evaluation session prior to the start of the season.

Advanced Mite/8U evaluations will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13, 2024.

The evaluation consists of four timed drills that include the types of skills most players of this age have learned (or started to learn). Each player will have the opportunity to practice the drills during the Saturday practice session. Sunday is the timed evaluations where players will run through each drill twice, with their fastest time counting towards their total. Players are then placed on teams with other players of similar skill.

NOTE: Friend requests and school groups may not be honored at this level. We will try to balance the groups as much as possible based on skills.

The following structure will be used to group the teams, based on evaluation results:

Advanced Mites:

Blue – 4 balanced teams (2^nd and 3^rd grade mixed) – top 50 (approximately) player times from the evaluation drills.

Gold – 4 balanced teams (2^nd and 3^rd grade mixed) – players with the next best times (60-80 players) from the evaluation drills

White – 4 balanced teams (2^nd and 3^rd grade mixed) – players with the next best times (60-80 players) from the evaluation drills

Girls 8U:

Blue – 2 balanced teams (2^nd and 3^rd grade mixed) – top 26 (approximately) player times from the evaluation drills.

Gold – 2 balanced teams (2^nd and 3^rd grade mixed) – players with the next best times (30-40 players) from the evaluation drills

** The Mite Director reserves the right to make adjustments to the amount of skaters at each level

** First time or inexperienced players do not have to go through the evaluation process

** Any players not completing the evaluation process will be placed on the lowest level team based on previous experience and skill set