Learn To Play

Our Learn to Play Hockey program is the perfect introduction to the exciting world of ice hockey. Tailored for children ages 4 to 12, this program offers a fun, supportive environment where young players can develop essential skills like skating, stick handling, and game awareness. Whether your child is stepping onto the ice for the first time or has some basic skating experience, our program provides the ideal foundation for a lifelong love of the game.

Hockey is more than just a sport—it’s a thrilling challenge that combines agility, balance, coordination, and teamwork. Through the Learn to Play program, your child will:

• Build Fundamental Skills: Using curriculum developed by USA Hockey and the Nashville Predators Little Preds program, we focus on teaching core skating skills, including forward and backward skating, stops, starts, and turns, as well as stick handling. These essential skills set the stage for more advanced hockey development.
• Improve Physical Fitness: Ice hockey is a fantastic way for kids to stay active, improve their fitness, and develop physical strength. It challenges them to push their limits in a safe and supportive environment, all while having a blast on the ice.
• Develop Life Skills: Hockey teaches more than just sports skills. It instills important life lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship, helping your child grow both on and off the ice.
• Experience Unmatched Fun: There's nothing like the thrill of skating on the ice, handling a hockey stick, and scoring goals. Learn to Play is designed to be an engaging and enjoyable experience, where kids can make friends and create lasting memories.

• Ages: Open to children ages 4 - 12, our program welcomes beginners and those with minimal skating experience.
• When: Learn to Play sessions run for 6 weeks at a time, with programs available from October through the end of May. Classes are held every Monday night from 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM.
• Where: All sessions take place at Lexington Ice Center. Please check specific session details to see whether your classes are on Rink 1 or Rink 2.

Session 1

Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4

Session 2

Nov 11, 18, 25, Dec 2, 9, 16

Session 3 

Jan 6,13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10

Session 4

Feb 17, 24, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 (subject to change)

Session 5

TBD

• Required Equipment: Full hockey gear is required for all participants. If you don’t have your own, equipment can be rented for the entire season at just $40 (not included in class cost). Link to equipment rental: Central Kentucky Hockey Association | Equipment Rental
• Skate Rentals: Skates can be rented through Lexington Ice Center, and sticks can be borrowed and returned after each session (stick rental is included in the class cost).
• USA Hockey Membership: A USA Hockey membership is required for all participants, providing essential resources, training modules, and insurance coverage.

Does my child need to know how to skate before signing up?

While some skating experience is recommended, it is not required. Our program is designed to teach basic skating skills before progressing to more advanced hockey techniques. Children who are new to skating may need multiple sessions to fully develop their skills before moving on to the next program level.

What’s the next step after Learn to Play?

Upon completing the Learn to Play program, most players transition into our 8U Mite program or our House league to continue their hockey development. We provide an overview of next steps to help guide your child’s hockey journey.

Why is USA Hockey registration required?

USA Hockey supports our Learn to Play program by offering age-appropriate training modules, coaching certification, background screening, and insurance coverage for all participants. This ensures a safe and effective learning environment for your child.

There’s no better way to introduce your child to the sport of hockey than through our Learn to Play program. It’s fun, engaging, and the perfect start to a lifelong passion. Click here to register and join the excitement on the ice!