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Youth Hockey Programs

Once a player has gone through Junior Jackets, and both the player and his/her instructors feel they are prepared for organized league play, there are a few options available. Currently, there are four youth hockey associations (including Newark) in the Columbus area. Most of these programs offer both house (recreational) and travel hockey.

House hockey is a non-competitive level, where participants primarily play against other teams in their own organization or against other organizations in the Columbus area. At the in-house level, players attend evaluation practices for their organization at the beginning of the season and are placed on a team according to skill level to try to keep all teams as evenly matched as possible.

Travel hockey is for the more advanced and competitive player. Travel hockey teams play not only other travel teams within the Columbus area but also teams from around Ohio and the surrounding states. At the travel level, players attend tryouts during the summer, vying for a spot on the team. Those who do not make the team can try out for another travel team if they choose or simply go back and play on an in-house team.

The youth hockey season runs approximately from October through March for both in-house and travel programs. It is the parent/players choice as to which program they play for although most will choose the association whose primary rink is geographically located closest to home.

Current Youth Hockey Programs:

CAHA (Capital Amateur Hockey Association)
Established 1967
Approximately 450 participants
Primarily utilizes the Chiller North and Chiller at Ice Works
Offers both in-house and travel hockey
www.cahahockey.com

CCYHA (Columbus Chill Youth Hockey Association)
Established 1995
Approximately 900 participants
Primarily utilizes the Chiller Dublin ice rink
Offers both in-house and travel hockey
www.ccyha.org

EYHA (Easton Youth Hockey Association)
Established 1997
Approximately 350 participants
Primarily utilizes the Chiller Easton ice rink
Offers both in-house and travel hockey
www.eyhaicedragons.com

NIHA (Newark Ice Hockey Association)
Established in 1995
Approximately 150 participants
Primarily utilizes the Newark Ice Arena
Offers both in-house and travel hockey
www.newarkhockey.com

**CAHA and EYHA have joined to form one travel hockey prorgram called the Columbus Capitals. More information can be found at www.columbuscapitals.com

If you live outside of the Columbus area and would like assistance in finding a youth hockey organization close to you, please call (614) 246-3730 and we will be happy to help you.

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