Every year we receive questions from parents who are concerned about their child’s transition from the Intramural Program to the Travel Hockey Program. The number of questions always increases as tryouts approach, like they are now. In many instances the parents are basing their anxiety on rumors, misconceptions and/or simply bad information. These Frequently Asked Questions were prepared by a parent who has a child in the Travel, Intramural (IM) and Learn to Skate (LTS) program to address the more common questions or concerns. Should you have any further questions, please visit www.newtonyouthhockey.com and contact one of the Newton Youth Hockey Board Members, coaches or another parent who has children in the travel program.

Q. Aren't the games all at 6:00 a.m. and very far away?
A. Our "travel" this year has been very manageable and really means that we don't have every practice or game at the same rink at the same time. Yes, there is an occasional early game, but that has been the exception and not the rule. Pretty much all the ice we've had has been within 30 minutes of my house.

Q. Is my child good enough to play?
A. The only way to know, to really know, is to have your child try out and then play. The league and the coaches do a good job of slotting players based on ability so the kids who are the "best" tend to play with and against the "best." There is no harm in having your child try out, and if the travel teams become too much for your Mite hockey player, your child can always drop down to a lower level Mite team or play Intramurals. As parents you never know how your child will respond, so give your child a chance -- he/she may surprise you!

Q. How is league play set up? Is the competition appropriate for my child?
A. League play is set up to allow your child to play against peers from other towns, both in terms of age and relative ability. The league makes sure that stronger teams play more often against stronger teams and weaker teams play more often against weaker teams. The first several weeks of the season are set up to determine which teams are stronger and which are weaker within each division. As the year progresses, the schedules are adjusted based on how well (or not so well) a team plays. For more information about the league Newton participates in visit www.valleyhockeyleague.com.

Q. Too competitive, only about winning?
A. It's absolutely NOT all about winning, especially at the younger and lower levels, which is where most kids will play the year after IM or Advanced LTS. It is about having fun, making friends, skating hard and learning a ton about hockey. And with most young players, they still have fun when they lose (and sometimes lose big) -- they are very resilient and are too young to take winning and losing to heart.

Q. Crazy parents?
A. Let's be honest -- the parents commit more time to the team than the kids when you factor in all the logistics that go with any activity, including travel hockey. This year we have a great group of parents who will pitch in and help out when needed. They have swapped out rides, tied other kids' skates and helped out to make the team go. More importantly the kids develop strong bonds with the other kids on the team, which is quite different than LTS or IM. By spending 2-3 hours a week together, getting dressed in the locker room, practicing and playing games, they get to know each other. After many games, the biggest questions are who is going over whose house after the game. The kids aren't the only ones making friends, either - the parents are, too. There is a lot of time spent together watching practices and games, so it's been a great way to meet other people.

Q. Weeknight practices?
A. There are weeknight practices at Fessenden, Daly, Cleveland Circle or Dexter school rinks. But I think most, if not all kids' sports at this point have some sort of schedule like this.

Q. Can my child play other sports or participate in other activities, too?
A. While you and your child do not have to "commit" exclusively to travel hockey at the expense of other sports and activities, missing too many games and practices is not fair to your child or the child that could be playing in your child's spot. Many players also play fall sports like football or soccer while others swim and play basketball during the winter. I think coaches reasonably expect attendance at least 80% of games and practices is fair to everyone.

Q. Costs too much?
A. Yes, Travel Hockey does cost more than IM & LTS, but your child is on the ice much more, too. I feel the value is definitely there when you consider the games against other towns, skating 2-3 times per week, and the Skills Practices run by outside professional coaches.

Q. What's the difference between LTS, IM and Travel hockey?
A. I've been actively involved in all three programs over the past four years. Let me say that the skill development is awesome in all three programs, the biggest differences between programs is the amount of ice time per week, the complexity of the drills, and the focus on playing hockey.

LTS
Ice Time per Week – 1 hour
Complexity of Drills - Progress based on ability but basic overall
Focus on Playing Hockey - Introduction in Advanced LTS only; minimal overall

IM
Ice Times per Week – 2 hours
Complexity of Drills - Increasingly complex; one hour per week is practice, one hour devoted to games
Focus on Playing Hockey - 3 on 3 “cross ice” hockey games introduce kids to hockey

TRAVEL
Ice Times per Week – 2-3 hours
Complexity of Drills - Increased level of complexity. One hour per week is traditional “hockey” practice, one game per week is typical, and there is a hockey skills session run by an outside organization at least once per month.
Focus on Playing Hockey - Practices (traditional and skills) will focus on skating and other skills as they relate to hockey. Games are full ice, 6 v 6 hockey with referees, scoreboards, etc.