Coaching Staff

We are happy to help you get started on your hockey journey. CFYHA strives to provide a curriculum that improves hockey skills for all levels, playing in a safe, fun, and competitive environment. Above all, our goal is to foster lifetime skills such as discipline, teamwork, and good sportsmanship in all of the children within our association.

Step 1:  Learn to Skate. Before playing hockey, your child must learn how to skate. Airborne Ice Skating has a fantastic Learn to Skate program here at Cleland Ice Rink. You can sign up at the front desk. If you are looking for more information please check out Airborne Ice Skating or contact Cleland Ice Rink at (910) 396-5127.

Generally, if a player has completed one or two learn to skate sessions, they’re ready to join the House program. Your coach can let you know about player readiness.

Step 2:  Join the Warriors! Enroll in Learn to Play which teaches all the basic hockey skills you need to learn before joining a team.

Step 3:  Continue with the Warriors in the Warrior House League! Once your child is comfortable with skating and basic hockey skills, this recreation league continues to develop their hockey skills and game. We currently have recreational programs for players 6 to 14 years old. 

Step 4: Continue with the Warriors on a Travel Team! With continued skill development and a strong interest in hockey, your child can become a member of the travel teams. Tryouts are held each spring for 10 to 14-year-olds. We also offer a Junior Warriors team for 7 to 8-year-olds who are ready for more competition (this program does not require a tryout).

Yes, definitely!  All of our teams are co-ed.

Kids grow fast and used gear is an affordable option. We recommend stopping by the Play in Again Sports at 446 Crossroads Blvd, Cary, NC 27518. You can also look for used equipment online at www.sidelineswap.com.

For new gear, you can always check out Pure Hockey at 1321 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606 and also online at www.purehockey.com.

Of course! Kids grow fast and having equipment that fits is important. Please let a coach, team manager, or board member know and we will assist you in swapping out your equipment. If we have something that will fit we will take yours as a one-for-one swap.

That all depends on the skater, but a general rule of thumb is after 10 hours on the ice. We highly recommend getting your skates sharpened at Pro Skate Balance at 10290 Chapel Hill Rd, Unit 200, Morrisville, NC 27560. If you won't be up that way you can also have your skates sharpened at Cleland Ice Rink. Just stop by and ask the front desk staff.

The names refer to the age groups for each team. USA Hockey groups players into 2-year ranges based on birth years.

• 8U/Mites, are players 8 and under.
• 10U/Squirts, are 9 and 10-year-olds
• 12U/PeeWee, are 11 and 12-year-olds.
• 14U/Bantam,  are 13 and 14-year-olds.
• 16U/Midget, are 15 and 16-year-olds.
• 18U, also called Midget, are 17 and 18-year-olds.
• High School league is a local league of high school grade players, ranging from 15 to 18.

House teams are for players looking for a more recreational level of play with regional scheduling. Travel Teams are for players looking for a higher level of competition with travel throughout the eastern United States. Any player can sign up for a Recreational or Junior Warriors 8U team. 10U+ Travel players are selected based on tryouts (8U Junior Warriors does not require a tryout).

Yes, all of our coaches are USA Hockey certified and have passed the required background and Safe Sport requirements mandated by the USA Hockey and Carolina Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA). All of our coaches focus on fun, skill development, team play, sportsmanship, and enjoyment of the game.

We offer four six-week Learn to Play sessions per year between September and May.

Our house and travel seasons usually start at the beginning of September and run through mid-March. We generally have a one-week break over Thanksgiving week and a two-week break over Christmas/New Years.

All practices and home games are at the Cleland Ice Rink on Fort Liberty. The number and duration of practices vary based on programs. Games can also vary, but usually are on weekends. The number of games and game format vary by age level and type of team.

Travel teams may play upward of 35 games per season in addition to out-of-town tournaments and the CHL (Carolinas Hockey League) championship tournament, if they qualify.

Our 6U & 8U House team plays interleague games at Cleland Ice Rink.

Our 10U/12U/14U House teams play at Cleland Ice Rink and regionally throughout the state of North Carolina (usually within a two-hour drive) if scheduled. The House teams primarily play interleague games with refeeres.

Our 10U/12U/14U travel teams play in the CHL, which includes other local travel level teams and tournaments in the mid-Atlantic region.