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Cross-Ice Squirt League Maximizes Development

By Minnesota Hockey, 08/20/13, 12:00PM CDT

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It is hard to believe that just 10 years ago cross ice hockey played a minimal role in player development. It has gained a substantial amount of support over the past several years, and some associations are buying in now more than ever.

Cross ice hockey was first encouraged on a national scale when USA Hockey launched the American Development Model (ADM) about five years ago. At first, the primary focus was the Mite/8U level because that is where it would have the largest impact.  Many of the benefits of cross ice and small area games extend far beyond shrinking the rink for our smallest players though.

The leaders at Woodbury Area Hockey Club (WAHC) picked up on that as well, noticing that many of the advantages of Mites playing cross ice would be valuable at the Squirt level as well.  Making that connection inspired WAHC to be one of the first communities in Minnesota to implement a 3-on-3 Cross Ice League for their Squirts and 10U Girls.

“With all of the benefits you see at the Mite level, it becomes pretty evident that those benefits transfer to other levels,” said Brian Livingston, Vice President of Hockey Development for WAHC. “Squirts/10U is the obvious progression, but I’m convinced that our players would continue to benefit if we expanded this league to PeeWees and Bantams.”

For those familiar with ADM, this comes as no surprise as small area games play a critical role in player development for all levels, from Mites to the NHL.

“If you look at a typical Squirt A or B team, there is a wide range of skills,” said Livingston. “Condensing the playing area provides so many more development opportunities for everyone.  The bottom players get to touch the puck more.  The top players are forced to improve their decision making, and the goalies get more shots.”

WAHC sets the tone for the league by creating the teams equally, ensuring more competition and player involvement.  The Squirt A and B teams are divided to form the Western Conference while the Eastern Conference is composed of all the Squirt C, 10U A and 10U B players. 

With even teams and tighter spaces, all of the kids have an opportunity to contribute.  The first couple of seasons have shown this approach generates a notable increase in the players’ skills, confidence and assertiveness.  Those improvements, in turn, lead to a surprisingly rapid rise in intensity over the course of the season, eventually surpassing that of league and tournament games.

“It really becomes a second team for these kids,” said Livingston. “The excitement for these games is just crazy. I think a lot of the kids are more pumped for their 3-on-3 games than their full ice league games.”

Overall, the feedback and results WAHC has seen with their cross ice league have been unbelievably positive. That isn’t too surprising considering the league is fulfilling two of each association’s main goals: maximize player development and build a passion for the game of hockey.  Nonetheless, it is a great step in the right direction as they look to continuously improve their program.

“Every association should be doing a program like this,” said Livingston. “I don’t see how it can be anything but a success.”

With Minnesota Hockey’s addition of Cross Ice Mite Tournaments and a Hard Divider Grant Program, cross ice hockey will likely continue to grow.  As it does, in-house Squirt/10U leagues like the one in Woodbury could become more and more common.

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