Over the past few years, low cost learn-to-skate programs have become one of the most common ways for community-based hockey associations to recruit new players.  Fergus Falls has taken that basic idea and transformed it into a rink rat generator. 

The idea of forming a Rookie Program was generated early in the 2009-2010 season by their Hockey Operations Committee.  Cyndi Young, who is now the Vice President and Promotions Coordinator for Fergus Falls Hockey Association (FFHA), worked with Larry Goos on developing the program which started in January 2010. 

During the first year, one hour of ice was provided each week for two months at a price of $25.  Every year since then, the program has been split into two, half-hour sections but the cost has remained the same.  The first 30 minutes has been scheduled as time for parent volunteers to provide assistance and training to the new players and parents on how put on equipment. Then, the kids hit the ice for the next 30 minutes, where they are exposed to high school players and a variety of youth coaches that help teach them basic skills and play fun games. The use of a half-hour of ice time was implemented because it seemed to be the perfect amount of time to keep first time skaters’ interest, and at the same time, it maximized the amount of interaction time between FFHA members and potential recruits.  There were 35 kids that participated the first year.  Of that initial group, 17 registered the next fall as mites. 

The Rookie Program has done nothing but gain momentum ever since.   In 2011, the number of participants grew to 61.  The following fall FFHA had 51 new members register.  That was a 50% increase from the previous year and 25 of those new registrants came from the 2011 Rookie Program.   Even more impressive was how many girls registered.  In the two seasons prior, Fergus Falls hadn’t seen more than four new girls sign up in a given year.  A total of 16 signed up in 2011 with most of them coming from the Rookie Program.  This provided FFHA with enough girls to start an 8U program.

After helping with the Rookie Program for three years, Young believes the success of their program comes from many things.  She said, “The main goal is that parents can let their children try hockey several times to see if they like it, at an affordable price and with no obligations, such as fundraising.  We did a few things differently than most associations with our later timing of the program, shorter length of ice time, and major emphasis on providing education to both the players and parents.  Altogether, these things have really improved our abilities to attract potential members and convince them to join our hockey community at FFHA”.

As you can see, the success of the Rookie Program has made a big difference in the number of kids playing youth hockey in Fergus Falls.  Even more kids (71) came out last spring. They are hoping that translates into another big registration number in 2012-2013 and many years to come.

Thank you to Cyndi Young and all of the volunteers in Fergus Falls for their commitment to growing hockey in Minnesota!

Minnesota Hockey will regularly highlight the efforts of associations from across the state to grow the game throughout the season.  From very simple ideas to off-the-wall creativity, if it works we are in favor of it. And we want to share it! For more information on recruiting and retention efforts statewide or to share your story, contact Minnesota Hockey at info@minnesotahockey.org.