What should I do to get started playing hockey if I don’t know how to skate?

The rink offers different levels of ice skating lessons: Hockey 1-4. The next step is Cross Ice. Cross Ice is also run by the rink. It is an introductory program designed to develop ice hockey skills and competitive team play. Team sizes are small providing a better coach-to-player ratio. Coaches will focus on the development of these individual core ice hockey skills: skating skills, puck control, stick-handling, positioning, passing and shooting. The practices and games are played ACROSS the width of one zone. This increases the pace of play and allows skills to develop at a faster pace. Full equipment is required for the Cross Ice Program.

What should I do to get started playing hockey if I do know how to skate?

Hockey levels in BAHHA begin at the Mite level. Children as young as four years old have participated in BAHHA’s programs. The following youth USA Hockey age classifications are for the 2007-2008 season.

YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE CATEGORY	AGE DIVISION
89	18 Years	Midget
90	17 Years	Midget
91	16 Years	Midget
92	15 Years	Midget
93	14 Years	Bantam
94	13 Years	Bantam
95	12 Years	Pee Wee
96	11 Years	Pee Wee
97	10 Years	Squirt
98	9 Years	Squirt
99	8 & Under	Mite
99	8 & Under	Mini Mite

What  is a mini mite?

The Mini Mite program is designed for children just starting to play hockey or not quite ready to play in the Met League. All games are played at Space City Ice Station. See below for more information regarding the Met League.

What is the difference between ISHL and BAHHA? And what about the Summer League?

The high schools have "club" teams and play in a city league called the Interscholastic Hockey League (ISHL) (which registers its teams with USA Hockey). There are varsity (ISHL refers to this as Justice Varsity - which earn school letters) and junior varsity (JV – ISHL refers to this as Adams Prep) levels in the ISHL. Those born in 91, 92, and 93 qualify for the Adams Prep teams. Those in grades 9-12 qualify for the Justice Varsity league. Some teams restrict eligibility to a particular school. Others, who don't have enough players from their school, may combine or open their eligibility to a draft. Refer to the ISHL website for particular rules regarding their league. There is another sanctioning organization called North Texas Hockey League (NTXHL), which is part of TAHA (a division of USA Hockey), and has the Midget A, AA, AAA (and Major/Minor) designations. NTXHL teams compete from all over Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. This is a completely separate league from the high school league, and some kids actually do both. Midget Major is 17/18 year old, and Minor is 15/16 year old. They can all play together, but if even one player is 17 or 18, they must play as Majors. These teams play under BAHHA. The city summer league is an informal league (it has no playoffs) to give those who are interested a chance to stay on the ice. BAHHA participates in the summer league with teams at all divisions and the players are registered as USA Hockey.

What is USA Hockey?

USA Hockey, Inc. is the national governing body for the sport of hockey (roller and ice) in the United States. As such, its mission is to promote the growth of hockey in America and to provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. USA Hockey is broken into districts. BAHHA is under the Rocky Mountain District.

Is my child good enough to play competitive hockey?

Prior to each season, BAHHA holds player evaluations/tryouts for each age division. All the children's skill levels are assessed and they are placed on a team with other children of comparable ability. One of the advantages of amateur hockey is the strong emphasis on practices and skill development during the season so your child can improve and increase his/her skills.

What are the seasons?

Ice Hockey in Clear Lake is played year round and is divided into two seasons. The regular (or fall) season runs from September to March. The summer season runs from April to July. In addition, camps and clinics are also scheduled throughout the summer.

What programs are offered?

There are three types of hockey programs offered by BAHHA: Travel, Met (Metropolitan), and In House. Travel hockey is competitive and involves traveling out of the Houston area. Met hockey is still competitive but when games aren’t at SCIS they will be at one of the other Houston rinks (Sugarland, Willowbrook and Memorial City). In House hockey is less competitive and all games are played at SCIS.

How many teams does BAHHA have?

During the regular season, BAHHA had 9 teams across all programs. The number of teams depends on the number of players that wish to play competitive hockey and the amount of ice time available each season. We hope to increase this number in the coming years.

How often do you play?

Each program offers different amounts of ice time as part of their regular season. Older travel hockey players usually practice twice a week. Whereas the younger travel hockey players may practice once a week. In addition, there may be some off ice practices planned. Travel hockey teams participate in at least four weekend-long TAHA events, each with at least four games in one weekend. Travel teams may also set up additional games throughout the season. All Met and In House programs practice once per week and have usually one game per weekend.

How much does it cost to play hockey?

The fees vary for each team due to amount of ice for games and practices. The fee covers such expenses as ice time, uniforms, referees, individual TAHA registrations and miscellaneous association operating expenses. Due to amounts of games and practices, Travel team’s fees are higher than Met teams. BAHHA does provide for incremental payments, and more importantly, supports a broad variety of individual fundraising activities to help offset the fees involved in the sport.

Where is our home rink?

Our home rink is Space City Ice Station, located at the corner of I-45 and El Dorado (behind Lexus).

We don't live in the Clear Lake area. Are will still permitted to participate in BAHHA?

ABSOLUTELY! BAHHA has members from all over the Houston and the surrounding areas.

What equipment do I need?

To play ice hockey there is a need for protective equipment. Ice hockey is a contact sport and selecting the right equipment is very important. BAHHA hosts an annual used equipment sale in the Summer. To assist in the equipment buying process, please refer to the Equipment FAQ.

Where can I buy equipment?

The Sports Authority has some entry level equipment. There are also a variety of hockey equipment suppliers available through the internet. Currently, Space City Ice Station sells sticks, laces, blades, and tape.

When is the registration for the next season?

Registration is usually done in conjunction with evaluations/tryouts and occurs one month prior to the start of each of the two seasons. Midgets and Bantams wanting to play in the Travel program should attend all three tryouts. Those Midgets or Bantams not making the Travel team or not wanting to play in the Travel program would play on the ISHL’s JV team. At the Peewee, Squirt and Mite divisions, all players regardless of program, should attend all three evaluations/tryouts. Players will be asked which program (Travel or Met) they are trying out for. If there are enough players to make two or more Met teams, the evaluations enable the coaches to make equal teams. For information about the upcoming season, please see our Registration Link.

If your question has not been answered here,
please feel free to email us and we will answer any questions you have.

bahha@bahha.org