Learn to Skate

Learning to skate is a basic skill that hockey players need in order to learn to play the game of hockey. The Department of Hockey highly recommends that any player who wants to learn to play hockey or register for our Little Blues program, start with a learn to skate class offered by our Skating Department. Why Learn to Skate with our figure skating instructors? Simple, figure skaters are the best skaters in the world. They understand the importance of edge work and strides. Our Skating Department can get your player started in the right direction of learning to skate to play hockey. This means our Hockey Instructors can focus more on the stick skills and other areas of the game of hockey. 

Here are the Learn to Skate classes we recommend to begin your hockey career: 

• Ages 6 & Under: Snow Plow Sam 
• Ages 7 & Up: Basic 1
• Adults: Adult 1

The session includes 1, 30 - minute lesson per week, free skate rental, and free public skating sessions. For more information, please email our Skating Department.

Little Blues

The St. Louis Blues partner with the NHL and NHLPA to present Little Blues, an 8-week low-cost introductory hockey program for kids 4-9 yrs. Eligible participants must have not previously taken part in a Missouri Hockey Association program. Registration includes full hockey gear, including jersey, stick and equipment bag. For more information, please email our hockey department. Prerequisite: Learn to Skate class.

Next Note is intended for players who have completed the following programs: Little Blues and/or Learn to Skate, Snow Plow 1 or Basic 1 or are ready to learn to play hockey.
This program will continue your players hockey development with skating, stickhandling, passing and shooting skills. Full gear is required and not provided.

Mite Hockey Program

Mite hockey is designed for young kids to enjoy hockey and develop skills through age-specific practices using USA Hockey’s American Development Model. The rink and equipment is sized down for smaller players, allowing for more puck touches and individual involvement. Focus is on hockey basics: skating, passing, shooting, puck handling, and teamwork, through drills and fun games.

Jr. Bears Youth Rec. Hockey League (ages 9 - 17)

An 10-week non-checking recreational league designed to develop and improve hockey skills. One practice and one game per week. Prerequisite: Learn to Play or another ice hockey development program. USA Hockey membership and full equipment required. Please note: Jr Bears leagues are offered in the Fall and Winter.

Open Hockey

There are multiple options for Open Hockey:

1. Stick & Puck: Practice session for players to practice skills. No games/scrimmages allowed. Ages 17 and Under are required to wear full equipment. Private lessons are allowed but cannot take an entire zone. Players must provide their own pucks.
   • Please follow the appropriate age requirements listed on the schedule:
     1. Ages 12 & under: This session is for players ages 12 & Under. Parents can skate with their younger players. Adults with no children are not allowed on the ice for this session.
     2. Ages 13 & Up: Players aged 13 and older can participate in this session. Adults with no children are also allowed to skate in this session.
     3. All Ages: all ages are allowed at these sessions.
2. Drop In: Scrimmage session. No checking. Full equipment for ages 17 and younger. Players divide into teams and play with no officials.
   • Please follow appropriate age and skill levels, if noted on schedule.
3. Coming Soon – Rink Rats: Specifically designed for the Mite/8U age group. This session is like drop-in hockey, except everyone plays at once. If 30 players show up, it’s 15 vs 15 at once. A great way to learn to play the game like we used to on the ponds up north!

Private Lessons:

Please click here for information on Private Hockey Lessons at Jordan Valley Ice Park.

Equipment Requirements:

• Ages 17 and Under: Full equipment is required. This includes: helmet with full face cage/shield, shoulder pads, elbow pads, jersey, breezers/hockey pants, cup, shin guards, hockey socks, skates, gloves and stick.
• Ages 18 and Up: Full equipment is highly recommended. Required: helmet (some sort of face shield is highly recommended), elbow pads, jersey, shin guards, athletic pants/sweatpants, skates, gloves, stick.
• Stick & Puck Coaches: required helmet, skates, gloves and stick

Adult Learn to Play Hockey – Level 1 & 2

This program will offer NEW Adult players a Learn to Play class, along with a continuation of our Level 1 class for those players who are wanting some more instruction after completing Level 1.

Sr. Bears

Coed recreational hockey league with 3 divisions for a variety of skill levels. 1 game a week. Officials and scorekeepers provided. Bronze Division is beginner/novice, Silver Division is intermediate skill level and Gold Division is advanced/elite skill level.