Registration for the 2024-25 JR Rangers is NOW OPEN! For questions on the JR Rangers Hockey program or if you need help with registration please email recruitment@flhockey.org.

We're so glad you're considering joining our hockey family! At FLHA, we believe that hockey is more than just a game—it's a journey that enriches the lives of both children and their families.

When you sign up your child, you're opening the door to a supportive community where your child will grow as an athlete and as an individual, learning valuable life lessons in a safe and fun environment.

Our hockey program fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie that extends beyond the rink. It's a place where children learn the importance of dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship, all while having fun and making unforgettable memories and forging lifelong relationships.

We can't wait to welcome your family to FLHA, where every goal is celebrated and every player is valued!        

We hope to see you at the rink!

Matt Folsom, Recruiting & Retention Director

recruitment@flhockey.org

Hockey is not only a Minnesota tradition, but if you talk to families who have children that play hockey, most will share a common theme in regards to things they've noticed such as:

• Advanced Hand-Eye Coordination - skating and stickhandling at the same time is an incredibly difficult skill to acquire.  Learning to do this at an early age can make other sports like golf, tennis, baseball, softball, lacrosse, etc much easier to pick up later for these kids.
• Improved Athleticism - the leg strength and balance that is required of new skaters tends to help with other endeavors that require a strong core and lower body strength such as running, skiing, soccer, and many other sports.
• Teamwork - hockey is a team sport that requires players coordinating together on the ice for a common goal.  Over time they begin to learn that passing and working together offers the best path to success.  These are lessons that can serve a person for a lifetime.
• Improved Social Skills  - learning to play hockey is a difficult sport with much more failure than success and the children that participate tend to be more accepting of themselves and others.  The comradery they have with their teammates seems to ultimately help them to be more confident in other social situations with other kids.

To help with cost of hockey equipment, there are several options to consider:

• FLHA offers equipment sets to new families through the Junior Rangers program and in partnership with Strauss Skate in Maplewood. Supplies are limited; Email recruitment@flhockey.org to check availability.
• The Little Wild Learn to Play program through the MN Wild offers a package that includes 4 ice sessions and an equipment set for $180 and includes free tickets to a Wild pre-season game.  For more information, go to  www.wild.com/littlewild
• FLHA will offer a "Skate & Gear Exchange" where skates are collected from other families that have outgrown and recycled within our program. This year's event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug 25th from 5-8pm on the South rink.  

Used equipment is a great option especially for newer skaters. Play it Again Sports (Blaine and other locations) is a great option.

FLHA has a variety of program levels that will suit most any situation.  Since most kids tend to start hockey when they are 4 to 6 years old, you will find most beginner programs are centered around those ages. But for kids that start at a later age,  we will work with you to determine the best  level for your particular skater.  If you have any questions, please email Matt Folsom at recruitment@flhockey.org