U8: MO Hockey

U8 is the next step after U6 for our Falcons (boys) and Lady Falcons (girls). Following USA Hockey's ADM model, players develop through small-group, station-based practices focused on skating, edge work, and hockey fundamentals. This year, U8 moves to a new hybrid game format — a mix of half-ice and full-ice play — that builds core skills while giving players their first taste of the full-ice game (details below).

Players need basic skating skills to join. If your player needs to build that foundation, our Learn to Play and Continue to Play programs can help — just ask.

Chesterfield Hockey, alongside USA Hockey, is excited to introduce a hybrid model for U8 — a mix of half-ice and full-ice games across the season.

• Half-ice is the foundation of long-term development, focused on individual skating and skills: puck handling, shooting, and passing.
• Full-ice builds vision and on-ice awareness and gives players the full-ice experience that makes the game exciting for young boys and girls.

Players are placed on teams by current ability for the U8 season, then teams merge for the full-ice component. Half-ice games run throughout the season; full-ice games are played against similarly skilled clubs around the city on planned weekends. All events — including jamborees — are included in your registration fee, with more details closer to the season.

Half-ice weekends

• Labor Day Weekend — Sept 4–7 (opening weekend; all teams and players participate)
• Thanksgiving Weekend — Nov 27–29
• Blue Note Cup Weekend — Feb 26–28

Full-ice weekends

• New Year's Jamboree — Dec 26–31
• MLK Jamboree — Jan 15–18, 2027
• St. Patrick's Day Jamboree — dates TBD

USA Hockey birth years:

• U8 — 2018 & 2019

This is how we place every player on a team for the season — attendance at all assigned sessions is mandatory. All evaluations are held at the Maryville University Hockey Center.

Dates: [Evaluation dates are still being finalized and will be posted here. Check back regularly.]

Evaluation Schedule: Coming soon

Stay current. It is 100% your responsibility to keep up with schedule and detail changes. Don't expect an email — check this page often, including throughout evaluations. We reserve the right to change the schedule at any time, for any reason.

Bring to every session: a water bottle, freshly sharpened skates, and no-name practice jerseys. Players bring one WHITE set and one BLACK set; full-time goalies bring multiple jerseys in any color except white or black.

Group assignments are posted closer to each session. After each evaluation, check back for your player's next group.

Make every effort to attend. Evaluations determine your player's team and skill-level placement for the entire season, so missing them can directly affect where they're placed. If you truly can't make a session, submit the "We can't make evaluations" Google Form (coming soon) — and remember you must still register for the season before evaluations begin. Missing due to injury? We place players using existing data and, where possible, prior-coach input.

2026–2027 club fee:

• Skaters & full-time goalies — $1,545 (same for both positions)

Full-time goalies commit to the position for the entire season and provide their own equipment. Questions? Contact our Goalie Director, Tim.McCarthy@chesterfieldhockey.com.

A $100 late registration fee applies after the registration deadline.

Pay in full, or in 6 installments of $257.50 — a deposit at registration, then five auto-billed payments on Oct 1, Nov 1, Dec 1, Jan 1, and Feb 1. (A $25 late fee applies to any installment 30+ days past due.)

The club fee does not include USA Hockey membership, required equipment, or travel and lodging.

Mandatory and set by each team after evaluations — typically covering tournaments and team events. Separate from the club fee, and split equally among the team's families unless the team agrees otherwise.

**See the " New This Year: Hybrid Game Format " information section above about the new hybrid format and what cost the club is covering.

U8 jerseys and socks are included in your club fee — no separate fitting cost. Fittings take place during your player's Day 1 evaluation timeslot, so there's no extra appointment to schedule.

Each family completes 4 volunteer hours per season — one requirement per family, no matter how many players you enroll. Prefer not to? Choose the $100 non-refundable Buy-Out at registration. Unmet hours are billed at season's end.

• Boys (Falcons) eligibility: Players must live within the club's designated ZIP boundaries — see the Missouri Hockey website.
• Girls (Lady Falcons): Any ZIP code, as long as you register for an all-girls program. Previously with the St. Louis Cyclones or Affton Lady Liberty? Contact Matt.Jeans@chesterfieldhockey.com before registering — districting rules may apply.
• Equipment colors: U8 has no color requirement, but at U10 players need a black helmet, gloves, and pants as the primary color. If you're buying gear now, consider black so it carries into U10.
• Neck guards: Required at all times on the ice — practices and games.
• Schedule & locations: Ice times vary weekly and are age-appropriate; no fixed schedules outside Learn to Play and Continue to Play. Most practices and home games are at our two rinks — Maryville University Hockey Center and Pacific Ice Rink — though other venues may be used. Away games are at the opponent's facility.

Please review our refund policy and codes of conduct before registering.

Questions? board@chesterfieldhockey.com

Thank you,

Chesterfield Hockey Association