General Program Questions
When does registration open?
Registration opens on July 1 of each year. The registration fees will go up 10% on September 1. All players should be registered no later than November 1. (except for Intro & 8U has on going, prorated registration
When does the season start?
The season begins in November each year and runs through March. Early season camps start in October.
What equipment is needed? Can we borrow equipment?
All players will need the following equipment:
● Helmet
● mouth guard
● shoulder pads
● elbow pads
● breezers
● shin pads
● socks
● skates
● stick
● water bottle
● Other equipment: equipment bag, jock strap, socks, neck guard.
Yes, we will have limited equipment that can be borrowed. There is also a swap at the beginning of each season for parents to collect used gear. We encourage you to hold on
to any used gear and bring it to the swap on opening day in October.
Hockey Groups/Divisions
Mini Mites: Age 4-6 On going registration @ prorated rates
Mites (U8): Age 6-8 On going registration @ prorated rates
Squirts (U10): Age 9-10
Peewee (U12): Age 11-12
Bantam (U14): Age 13 - 14
Girls Team (U14-U18) Age 13-18
High School- Players attending High School (program is run by DHS and supported by DAYHA)
What is the practice schedule? Where can I find it?
In general, Mites (age 4-8) will practice two weekdays and have one Saturday morning scrimmage. Squirts (ages 9-10), Peewees (ages 11-12), and Bantams (ages 13-14) will
practice three weekdays and will have games on many, but not all, weekends.
The practice schedule is listed on our website on the calendar. You can find each team schedule by looking under the team tab. Choose your player's team to see specific
practice schedules and game schedules.
Can parents watch practice?
Yes, parents are encouraged to watch practice.
Locker Rooms
Only certified safeport coaches or volunteers are able to go into the locker rooms for practices or games. If a player needs assistance they can come out of the locker room
and into the lobby for a parent to help tie skates or other assistance.
Registration
What team should I register my child for?
Teams are divided out by birth year. Here is the breakdown of the teams for 2022-2023 by birth year.
Mites- 2017-2014
Squirts (10U) 2012-2013
Peewee (12U) 2010-2011
Bantam (14U) 2009-2008
Girls- 2009-
High School- Registered High School students
What are the registration costs and what does this include?
Program fees cover the costs to run the program, this includes
● ice costs
● tournament fee
● game fees
● referee costs
● coaching expenses
● equipment
● other fees for the team.
Registration fees for 2022-2023 Season
▪ Mites- $300 (per 10 Week Session) offer a Fall and Winter session
▪ Squirts-$1300
▪ Peewee $1300
▪ Bantam-$1400
▪ Girls- $1300
▪ High School- TBA
Travel expenses are not covered in the program fees.
Do you have payment plans?
Yes, payment plans are an option when paying with a credit card through Sports Engine Registration. An initial payment will be required at the time of registration and the
remaining payment for the fees will be divided into equal payments and paid with a
credit card.
Are there scholarships available and what is the application process?
Yes, scholarships are available. We have an online application to apply for a scholarship.
Click here for the application.
Do we need to travel if we are on a team?
Yes, traveling is part of the Squirt thru Bantam program, and it is expected that players that sign up to play will travel with the team. If a player can not travel to a game because of an injury, sickness or other reason, please contact the coach so they are
aware that your player will not make the games.
How many hotel nights should I expect over the season?
You should expect a minimum 4 to 5 weekends away. Most games will require two nights. Tournaments may require 3 nights.
Do we need to order team jerseys? How do we get our player number?
Travel players from Squirts to Bantam level will need to order their own jerseys through the team store. Jersey numbers are assigned. If you need your number please contact
DAYHA secretary. Players will need to order both home and away jerseys (Blue and White)as well as socks for home and away. Players should always have both colors on hand for
all games. Expect to pay approximately $175-200 for a jersey and socks. The team store is only open during specific dates.
Tournament and game schedules
Games and Tournaments will be added in the fall and should be set by the first day of the season. Additional games may be added after this date at an additional cost. Watch
for emails from your team manager for any additions and/or changes. You can find the schedule on the website under the calendar. You can also find your team's schedule
under teams. Choose your child’s team from the drop-down list.
Tryouts
Tryouts establish rosters to start the season. It is at the director and coaches discretion to move
players throughout the season, if needed, in either direction.
Board Information
How many board members does DAYHA have and who are they?
For the current 2022-2023 season we have 7 voting members and 5 members at large (non-voting members). Board members and their positions are listed on our website
here.
How do the board members get voted in?
Board members are voted in by the membership in the spring. Interested candidates can apply to be put on the ballot in March by sending an interest letter to the DAYHA Secretary.
How long are the board terms?
A board member serves 2 years and can go up for re-election for another 2 year term
When are the board meetings?
The board meets once a month all year long. The meetings are posted on our website at www.durangohockey.org on the calendar.
Can non-board members attend these meetings?
Yes, the board meetings are open to members. We allow time at the beginning of the meeting for introduction for guests to the meeting. Guests can speak during the open comment period during the meeting. If you have an issue, project, idea that you would like to address at a board meeting, please email the secretary to be put on the agenda in advance.
How can I communicate with a board member?
All emails for the board members are listed on the website here.
Chapman Hill Ice Arena- Rink Questions
Who operates the Rink?
The rink is operated by the City of Durango. DAYHA is a separate organization from the rink and rents the ice from the City of Durango for all practices, games and events. We
work with the City to arrange ice time each season. Time is based on what the City has available for DAYHA to use.
Why do we not have year-round Ice?
The rink does not currently have the capacity to have full time, year-round ice.
Why is there not a City Rec. Hockey Program?
The city and DAYHA collaborated as a group and decided that DAYHA would lead the Hockey program in 2021. DAYHA operates all hockey programs from mites through Bantam. High School hockey is under CHSAA and is organized by a cooperative partnership between Durango High School and DAYHA.
Staff Contacts
Matt Nimetz- Rink Director 970-375-7395
Coaching Questions
If I have a question or concern, who should I contact?
If there is an issue with a coach or a player, this should be sent to the director via email and only after a 24 hour waiting period. The issue should only be addressed with the director, the family involved, and a board president may be copied for reference.
Alain can be reached by email at alain.lemieux28@gmail.com.
How do I find out who our coach is for the season?
Coaches will be listed on the DAYHA website under each team with their contact information.
Volunteers
DAYHA encourages that each family volunteers 10 hours each season. There are many ways to volunteer for DAYHA including at events, during the season at practices and games, at
fundraising events and more.
Here are some ways that you can volunteer for DAYHA:
Paul O’Neil Golf Tournament
This is our largest fundraising event. We need volunteers to help with getting donations, sponsorships and golf teams prior to the event. We also need help the day of the event with set up, during the event and break down. If you are
interested in helping contact Khristie Griswold at presdayha@gmail.com
Pre-Season/Post Season Clinics
Help with check in during our pre-season camp; post season clinics. (1/2 hour per session)
Practices
● Locker room attendant (must be safe sport certified)
Home Games
● Score keeper
● Timekeeper
● Penalty Box (must be safe sport certified)
● Locker room (must be safe sport certified)
● Rink clean-up
Away games
● Penalty Box (must be safe sport certified)
● Timekeeper (sometimes needed)
● Locker room (must be safe sport certified)
Communication
DAYHA is committed to sending out monthly emails to our members through a platform called Constant Contact. Please watch for these coming each month to your inbox. If you are not receiving emails from us, please contact Durangohockey@gmail.com. We will add you to our list.
Each team will also have a team manager, who will communicate by email and possibly a team chat app.
Our website www.durangohockey.org has all the program information you need. The calendar will list all
the games, schedule and other important dates. You can also find a specific schedule by going to the
team tab and selecting your player's team.
If you have a problem, concern, or issues with the DAYHA Director, board member, coach or any other DAYHA issue, please communicate directly with the board president. These concerns must be handled in a professional manner and should be addressed directly by the board. These concerns should not be publicly addressed to other members through mass emails or use of team apps.
Player Expectations
All players must sign and follow a code of conduct each year.
Equipment guidelines
Players must have all standard equipment for all practices and games. This includes a mouthguard.
All travel players Squirts through Bantams should have all black helmets, breezers and gloves.
Stickers other than regulation stickers and player numbers should be removed from helmets.
Practice
All players are expected to be dressed and ready for practice on time.
Players should make all practices unless they are sick or injured. If not able to make a practice,please inform the coach or team manager by phone or email.
Games
Players should arrive 1 hour prior to game start time unless otherwise specified by the coach or team manager
Players are expected to make all scheduled games. If you are not able to attend a game due to injury, sickness, family emergency- please contact your coach and team manager.
Locker Rooms
Locker rooms will be staffed with a volunteer, Safe Sport Certified coach or parent.
Parents are not allowed in the locker room unless they are Safe Sport Certified certified. This is for all age groups. Children who need help with tying skates or getting dressed will need to come out from the locker room to get assistance from their parents. Girls will have a separate locker room from
the boys to get ready.
Playing for other leagues or Clubs
Durango Hockey must be the priority over all teams.
We do encourage players to play for other teams so long as the following guidelines are followed. (Mites through Bantam players)
Guidelines for playing on other teams:
Players are permitted to compete with a higher level team(s) than DAYHA provides.
1. Players shall inform the Hockey Director if they are playing with another team, and provide a complete schedule of game(s) for that team (when available).
2. Players shall practice and compete regularly with DAYHA as their primary team and be on the team’s roster.
3. DAYHA competition and practice schedule shall take precedence over other teams.
4. Players are prohibited from competing with other teams in the same tournament in which their DAYHA team is participating.
5. Game schedule conflicts shall be decided by the Hockey Director, using their professional judgment and input from the player and their Coach. There must be a minimum of 75% DAYHA participation when discussing the conflicts and DAYHA participation. It is expected that open communication and understanding will allow the resolution of conflicts. Once the decision is made, the player, family, coach, and Director will sign an agreement for the season.
6. If the player chooses to miss DAYHA games to play for the secondary team, after the discussions and agreed-upon game schedules, the player will sit out of practice the following week. If the offense happens a second time, the player will sit out for two weeks of practice. After the second offense, the player is in violation of the agreed-upon contract. The player will meet with Disciplinary Committee for possible dismissal from the program without a refund of program fees.
