Coaching Applicants
Coaches are responsible for preparing practice plans, running practices, and coaching games. The commitment is 2-3 practices and 1-2 games per week. USA Hockey mandates that all coaches complete a CORI background check, register with USA Hockey, and complete SafeSport Training, a Coaching Education Program and Age Specific Training Module each year.
TEAMS AND AGE GROUPS
Travel teams:
8U (Mites): Ages 6 through 8
10U (Squirts): Ages 9 and 10
12U (Pee Wees): Ages 11 and 12
14U (Bantams): Ages 13 and 14
16U / 18U (Midgets)
We also have a NON TRAVEL Instructional 8U (Mite) team: Ages 5 thru 8
When
The Thunder Travel season begins around the first week of September and runs until playoffs in late March, early April for 8U to 14U.
The 16U teams runs from September to about the end of November (15 games)
Where
Practices are held at the Veterans Memorial Rink located at 137 Monument St, Haverhill, MA. in back of the High School.
The Valley Hockey League typically schedules games around the Eastern region on Massachusetts.
Commitment & Responsibilities
Coaches are responsible for preparing practice plans, running practices, and coaching games.
The commitment is 2-3 practices and 1-2 games per week. USA Hockey mandates that all coaches complete a CORI background check, register with USA Hockey, and complete SafeSport Training, a Coaching Education Program and Age Specific Training Module each year.
Practices
Our Thunder teams generally practice two times per week, for 8U to 14U teams.
Our 16U teams practice once a week.
Practices are held at Haverhill Memorial Rink behind the Haverhill High School.
Games
GHPYH Travel Teams participate in the Valley Hockey League (VHL)
All travel teams will include the following:
35 Game Valley Hockey League Schedule for 10U to14U
25 Game Valley Hockey League Schedule for 8U Travel Teams
15 Game Valley Hockey League Schedule for 16U teams
*Instructional Mites (non travel) play cross ice on Saturdays at the Graf Rink, 28 Low St, Newburyport, MA 01950
Coaching Mandates
Outlines the standards all USA Hockey certified coaches must meet.
Register as a member of USA Hockey:
Obtain a USA Hockey coaching number.
CORI Check - National Level Background Screening Policy
All adult coaches who will have regular contact with, or authority over, athletes under the age of 18 are required to submit to a background screen before any such contact with those athletes.
Requires a USAHockey.com login (this login is NOT related to your USA Hockey member registration or modules)
Links to the online program for this CEP requirement
Search for a coach’s certification and completion of an online age-specific module, and print a CEP card
The total time required to complete these trainings is approximately 8 hours and most can be done online.
All expenses for the registration and training are reimbursable.
2024-2025 COACHING APPLICANTS
Coaches are responsible for preparing practice plans, running practices, and coaching games.
The commitment is 2-3 practices and 1-2 games per week.
USA Hockey mandates that all coaches complete a CORI background check, register with USA Hockey, and complete SafeSport Training, a Coaching Education Program and Age Specific Training Module each year.
Register