Travel hockey for ages thirteen and fourteen. More games, more travel, and a longer season than Peewee. Bantams is where the program gets serious.
Three things to think through before reaching out about Bantams.
Bantams covers ages thirteen and fourteen at the start of the season. Eligibility follows USA Hockey birth-year classifications. If you're unsure whether your child qualifies, ask us and we'll confirm.
Ages 11 to 12 belong in Peewee. Ages 15 and 16 belong in U16.
Bantams has tryouts. We hold them in mid-late April. Contact us in the spring to get on the list. Kids coming from Peewee at LYHA or from programs at other clubs are both welcome to try out.
Coaches evaluate skating, puck skills, hockey sense, and coachability. We give families honest feedback regardless of outcome.
Two practices a week, a full schedule of games, and overnight travel on a regular basis. This is a family commitment, not just a kid's commitment.
If the schedule is a concern, talk to us before tryouts. We'd rather you know the full picture going in.
The numbers, straight. Plan your calendar around these before tryouts.
Bantams play more games than Peewee and travel farther. Weekend trips with one overnight stay are a regular part of the season. Tournament weekends can mean two nights away. The exact schedule is set each summer, but families at this level should expect to build travel into their fall and winter calendars.
Most Bantams players have their own gear by now. Here's where to find it if you need to replace or upgrade.
We have some used equipment available for new players joining the program. Ask when you reach out about tryouts. Stock is limited at the older age groups, so ask early.
The Roanoke location often has good used youth gear, including skates and protective equipment. A solid option when your child needs to replace something mid-season.
The closest store for brand-new hockey equipment. By Bantams age, properly fitted gear makes a real difference in how your child plays. Worth the trip for a full fitting.
Bantams tuition covers ice time, coaching, and USA Hockey and PVAHA registration. Travel costs, including gas and hotels for away weekends, are handled by families separately. Current season pricing is included in the registration link we send after tryouts. Financial aid is available. Ask any board member.
Meet the 2026-27 Bantam coaching staff.
Bantams has tryouts. The process is the same as Peewee. Here's how it works.
Email us early in the year. Tell us your child's age and experience level. We'll add you to the tryout list and send dates when they're confirmed.
Held at LaHaye in mid-late April. Coaches evaluate skating, puck handling, defensive and offensive awareness, and attitude. Placement decisions go out within a few days.
Once placed, we send you the SportsEngine link for this season. Fill out the player form, pay tuition, and your child is on the roster. First practice is September at LaHaye.
Specific to this division. The general FAQ covers broader hockey questions.
Tryouts are held at LaHaye in mid-late April, typically over two sessions. Coaches look at skating ability, puck skills, positional awareness, and how your child responds to coaching. We use jersey numbers so coaches can evaluate without knowing names. Results come out within a few days of the final session.
Yes. Every player tries out each season regardless of history. Rosters are built fresh. Prior experience at LYHA is context coaches consider, but it doesn't guarantee a spot.
A typical Bantams season includes three to five overnight trips. Some are single-night, some are tournament weekends with two nights away. We publish the full schedule before the season begins so families can plan ahead.
Some kids manage it, but the schedules can conflict. Two practices a week plus away game weekends is a real time commitment. Talk to your child's school coach and give us an honest picture of your availability. We'll tell you whether it's workable.
We'll give you specific feedback about what coaches saw and what would help. For kids who are close but not quite ready, we'll suggest a path. We don't leave families without a clear answer.
If you're thinking about Bantams for your child, reach out. We'll be straight with you about the commitment and whether the timing makes sense.