House hockey for ages nine and ten. Children who know how to skate come here to learn how to actually play. Practices are structured, intersquad games are competitive, and the goal is a strong foundation before travel begins.
Three quick checks. If all three fit, Squirts is the right division.
Squirts covers ages nine and ten at the start of the season. Age eligibility follows USA Hockey birth-year classifications. If you're unsure where your child falls, ask us and we'll confirm.
If your child is 11 or older, look at Peewee.
Squirts children should be able to skate without holding the wall, stop, and change direction. Most have played Mites. A child with strong rec skating experience can also be ready.
If your child is just getting started on skates, begin with Learn to Play first.
Squirts is a house division. Your child plays and practices at LaHaye. Games are played at LaHaye with no away game schedule and no travel team.
Travel hockey starts at Peewee (ages 11 to 12).
Squirts is a step up from Mites in structure and competition. No regular game schedule, but intersquad games are real competitive hockey.
Intersquad games are structured at LaHaye. Kids play a round-robin style format against other groups in the house program. For Squirts, they run from roughly 9 AM to 1 PM. Three or four of these fit into the season. They are more competitive than Mites games. Scores count and kids know it. All games stay at LaHaye. There is no away game schedule and no travel team.
Gear is the biggest first-time cost in hockey. Here's how most LYHA families handle it.
We have used equipment available to borrow. Skates, helmets, pads. Enough to get a child through a first season without buying anything. Ask at registration.
The Roanoke store often has good prices on used youth hockey gear, including skates and pads. By Squirts age most kids are ready for gear that fits them specifically.
The closest brand-new hockey store. Located in Morrisville, just outside Raleigh. Worth the drive when your child needs properly fitted gear for the long run.
Current Squirts season pricing is published with the registration link we send you. Tuition covers ice time, coaching, and USA Hockey and PVAHA registration. House game fees are paid by families as the schedule firms up. We offer financial aid for families who need it. Ask any board member.
Meet the 2026-27 10U coaching staff.
Squirts is open enrollment. No tryouts. We send the registration link directly. Here's how it works.
Email us or use the contact form. Tell us your child's age. We'll confirm Squirts is the right fit and answer any questions you have first.
We'll send you the current SportsEngine link for this season. Create a family account and fill out the player form. Questions? Reply to our email.
September at LaHaye. We'll send a welcome note with the schedule, gear list, and loaner pickup details before the season starts.
Specific to this division. The general FAQ covers broader hockey questions.
Mites is for ages six to eight and puts the focus almost entirely on fundamentals and fun. Squirts picks up where Mites leaves off. Children are older, practices have more structure, and intersquad games carry a bit more competitive weight. The format is still house hockey, but the game starts to feel more real.
It depends on skill level. If your child is nine or ten and already comfortable on the ice, Squirts can be the right starting point. Email us and we'll talk through it. If the fundamentals aren't there yet, we'll tell you honestly.
Not to start. We have loaner gear available to borrow. When your child is ready for their own, Play It Again Sports in Roanoke is good for used gear and Pure Hockey in Morrisville (just outside Raleigh) carries brand-new equipment.
No. Squirts is open enrollment. Every child who registers and meets the age requirement gets a spot.
Peewee is travel hockey. Real away games, a longer season, and kids playing against teams from other clubs on a regular schedule. That starts at ages 11 to 12. Squirts stays closer to home and focuses on building the skills your child needs to compete at that level.
If you're unsure whether Squirts is the right starting point for your child, send a note. We'll talk it through.