New Parent Guide

Welcome to the Redwood Area Hockey Association! Starting hockey for the first time can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help make the experience fun and exciting for both players and parents. Hockey quickly becomes more than just a sport — it becomes a family, a community, and a lifelong memory for many kids.

The hockey season typically runs from October through February, with practices and games throughout the week and weekends. Schedules can vary by age level and may change throughout the season due to games, tournaments, weather, or arena availability.

New players will need:

• Helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Hockey pants
• Shin guards
• Gloves
• Neck guard (not provided by our rental program)
• Skates (not provided by our rental program)
• Hockey stick(not provided by our rental program)
• Practice jersey
• Hockey socks

RAHA offers equipment rental options for many beginning players to help keep startup costs manageable.

Especially at the younger levels, plan to arrive at the rink about 30–45 minutes before practices and games. Getting dressed takes time at first — and that’s completely normal!

Learn the Hockey Lingo

You’ll quickly learn terms like:

• DIBS = Volunteer hours
• Cross-ice = Small area games for younger players
• Squirt/Peewee/Bantam = Age levels
• Dry Land = Off ice training
• Mite/8U = Introductory youth hockey levels

Don’t be afraid to ask questions — every hockey family started somewhere.

Youth hockey runs on volunteers. Families are typically asked to help with concessions, score clock, penalty box, tournaments, fundraising events, and other association needs throughout the season. It takes a village, please step up and help!

Let the coaches coach, let the kids play, and focus on making hockey fun. The friendships, confidence, teamwork, and memories built at the rink often last far beyond the season.

We’re excited to have your family as part of RAHA — welcome to hockey!