Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 14, 1992 TAG: 9201140287
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WENDI GIBSON NEWSFUN WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
HOOKED ON HOCKEY KIDS AS YOUNG AS 5 TAKE TO THE ICE IN YOUTH LEAGUE
Bam bam, bang.Bang, bam.
Hockey sticks slam against the wall surrounding the ice rink at Vinton's LancerLot as The Roanoke Valley Youth Hockey Association's Squirts score a goal against a team from Charlotte, N.C.
The players in this game all are 10 and 11 years old. And all of them get ice time - unlike the pros, where many players end up bench-sitting because they are not as good as their teammates.
The Squirts are one of five age groups in the travel-team division. Team members are Mark Allen, Jason Angles, Cory Barns, Justin Dillon, Kevin Duddy, Caleb Johnson, Levi Lanning, Jae McCadden, Eric Parrish, Dan Pitman, Travis Smith, Mark Tuggle and Andrew Wortley.
Travel team members must try out for the team, but anybody can play on the in-house teams.
The Squirts are undefeated with one tie this season and a victory in a tournament that included almost 20 teams.
What's it like playing for a hockey team? If you have ever seen the Roanoke Valley Rebels play or have watched hockey on TV, you probably have some idea. But getting on the ice is a whole new puckgame.
In the valley's hockey association, kids can play as young as 5 years old; most other sports require a minimum age of 6. So it's easier for younger kids to get involved.
The kids who play hockey in the youth association come from all over the Roanoke Valley. Although traditionally a male sport, there are several girls who play in the RVYHA.
Most of the players we talked to say they learned about hockey by going to Rebels games. And though the Squirts fight considerably less on the ice - there are huge penalties for younger teams if they fight - they want to be like the grown-up players they admire.
Squirts member Jae McCadden says his favorite part about professional hockey is when the players kick ice at each other.
Between periods in a Rebels hockey game, younger Roanoke hockey teams play five-minute rounds against each other. This is another way kids are introduced to youth hockey.
Once on a team, members learn how to move around on the ice, which often isn't as easy as roller-skating. Soon they are able to move the puck around, manipulate it and keep it away from opposing players.
Most of the spectators in youth hockey are parents of the players. They also are the ones who foot the bills for their children.
Team members are furnished everything but skates, hockey sticks and gloves, all of which can cost as much as $150-$200, depending on whether the equipment is new or used. Once kids are in the association, officials say, they can easily find used equipment.
Goalies must pay an additional fee for their protective pads, which can weigh 25 pounds or more.
There also is a member fee that team members must pay to play. Travel team members pay $220 a year, and in-house members pay $75.
It can get expensive, especially when you add the cost of hotel rooms and meals for out-of-town games.
The kids who do play, however, usually play for a number of years, working their way up from as young as 5 to the age of 17, according to Tommy Smith, Squirts coach.
Hockey is definitely fun to watch. If you can get to a Rebels game, ask your parents to come along with you. Better yet, come cheer Roanoke's own undefeated Squirts on to their next victory.