Program Information

Crusaders Youth Hockey is a town program serving the Towns of Ashby, Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Shirley, Pepperell and Townsend. We offer programs for every age and skill level.

Learn To Skate

This is a great introduction to ice skating for kids to learn the basic skills for recreational skating or hockey. Program emphasis is on having fun, and teaching skating forwards, backwards, stopping and turning. No child is too young or too old to learn how to skate. Some start as early as age two some at age nine, but ages four to six are more typical.

Sessions are held at the Groton School's rinks on Saturdays and Sundays starting early December and ending in February.

Required Equipment: Ice hockey helmet, elbow pads, shin pads, hockey gloves, and hockey skates.

Hockey Programs

U6 Mites: An introduction to hockey ideal for graduates of the Learn to Skate program. The program focuses on skating (stopping, turning, skating backwards) and hockey (stick handling, passing, shooting) skills. Games are cross ice. Practices and games are held weekly from November through March. Full equipment is required starting at this level.
U8 Mites: At this level, teams begin playing half ice games. Players also get the chance to take turns playing goalie! The season runs from September through March.
U10 Squirts: Full ice games begin at this level. The season runs from September through March.
U12 PeeWees: Slap shots are allowed beginning at this level. The season runs from September through March.
U14 Bantams: Body checking is allowed beginning at this level. The season runs from September through March.
U16 & U18 Midgets: A short season for players in high school. The season runs from September through November.

Practices for each of our teams are held primarily at the Groton School and Lawrence Academy.

Leagues

Our teams from U8 through U18 play their games in the Valley Hockey League.

Tournaments

Crusaders Youth Hockey runs an annual tournament called the Tourney in the Woods. Our U8 through U14 teams participate in the tournament.

Game Limited Alternate Program

Game limited alternate players pay for each game they play. These players are eligible to play games when full time players are absent and are not eligible to attend practices.

Adult Learn to Skate/Play Hockey

Why let the kids have all the fun? This is a skills based course designed for players with little to no hockey experience or former players looking to get back into the game.