U8: MO Hockey

The U8 program is the natural progression after the U6 program.

Our regular hockey program season for the U8 age groups starting in late August and concluding in February. Practices follow USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM) and incorporate small groups in a station based format. Players will focus on skating (edge work), hockey fundamentals and participate in 4v4 1/2 ice games, against each other and other clubs - while occasionally participating in external jamborees (tournaments without score keeping).

Overall this program is a development based program with a focus on skating and skill but with an emphasis in exposing the players to the game. By developing these skills you increase the athlete's enjoyment and proficiency in the game of hockey.

Our program is designed to help improve a child’s skating abilities. But skating instruction is required prior to participation in our 8U program. We make sure children who have an interest in playing hockey are starting off correctly with the tools to succeed. All participants start with our Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs before entering our 8U program. Please view the Getting Started in Hockey section under the Programs section in the menu above.

We retain the right to move players to a Learn to Play or Continue to Play program if it is deemed appropriate for their hockey development.

Club fees and payment plan costs for the 2025-2026 season will be posted soon. There are two ways to pay for fees.

• One-time payment at registration
• Payment plan with 6 installment payments: First payment at registration and the remainder is auto-deducted in equal payments each month on Oct 1st, Nov 1st, Dec 1st, Jan 1st and Feb 1st. (Processing fees may apply.)

Team fees are not optional. They will be determined by the individual teams after teams are formed for the season, they pay for jamboree costs, tournament fees, team parties, etc. They are not part of the club payment listed above. In fairness to all individuals on the team, we require any additional team fees to be equally split among the families of those teams, unless other mutual agreements have been put into place by the teams.

Your club fee also does not include any required hockey equipment cost, travel or accommodations cost, or any other fees necessary to participate.

The cost of U8 jerseys and socks are included in your club fee. We will announce more information on fitting dates and details as we get closer to August.

For awareness: In the Spring of 2025, all 2016 birth year players graduating to U10 will be required to purchase their U10 jerseys and socks; along with choosing a permanent even-number jersey number (subject to availability).

Important Notice: USA Hockey requires neck laceration protection starting August 1, 2024. This applies to all games and all practices. All players will be required to wear a neck guard at Chesterfield Hockey Association facilities beginning August 1 for all activities, including evaluations.

Evaluations are not Tryouts: They are a mechanism we utilize to appropriately group kids with other similar kids, based on their current skill sets. Players are expected to attend all evaluation sessions unless otherwise told. 

All participants at the U8 level will have the option to try the Goalie position throughout the season; in a pass the equipment bag format. While we encourage all players to try the position, it is not required. 

For those players who know they want to be a full time goalie all season, please reach out to our Club Goalie Director. - Tim McCarthy to discuss BEFORE registering.

All Full Time Goalies will be required to supply all of their own equipment & play this position for the season.

The full time goalie registration includes club sponsored dedicated goalie training clinics. Specifics will come after the season starts.

As you start to replace their equipment (as they outgrow it), we ask that you please be aware of the following. All players U10 and older must have a black helmet, black pants (main color) and black gloves (main color). It's okay if there are accent colors of white, gray or red; but the main color must be black.  By the time they get to the 10U age level it will be mandatory to have these colors.

If you do not have these colors right now for U8 - IT IS OKAY!

Chesterfield Hockey Association is a volunteer organization dedicated to introducing youth to the world of ice hockey and providing them with opportunities to grow as both a player and an individual. Both on the ice and off the ice. Without the dedication of parents like you, we would not be able to provide the experience our kids will remember for a lifetime.

Every member will be asked to donate 4 hours of their time (per family) this season to help with a club level activity. Volunteer opportunities will be made available throughout the season. For families with multiple children playing with the Chesterfield Hockey Association, we will only require a volunteer commitment based on one child.

By agreeing to volunteer a minimum of 4 hours, you not only will help our club function at an efficient level in order to help keep cost down, you will be helping provide an opportunity for kids to grow as individuals.

At the end of the season, any unfulfilled volunteer obligations will be billed accordingly.

BUY OUT OPTION: Should you wish to buy out your volunteer commitment for the season - you will have that option through this registration, and will be charged an additional $100 to your credit card once you submit this registration. The Buy Out fee non-refundable.

Volunteer opportunities will be posted to the club website throughout the season.

• What are the schedules and times for this program? Your schedule will fluctuate weekly, however times will be appropriate to their age group. We do not have fixed schedules for any program outside of Learn to Play and Continue to Play.
• Are evaluations mandatory? Yes - unless you are specifically told not to attend a certain day, consider all evaluations mandatory to attend. Remember - this is the time period and method we use to determine their current skill level and team placement for the season.
• What if my kid is injured and can not attend evaluations? We have a procedure in place to account for this. Essentially we rely on any existing data we have on your child, and talk to their previous coaches when possible. We will do our best to appropriately place them for the season.
• Where will the practices and games be held? We own and operate the Maryville University Hockey Center as well as Pacific Ice Rink. Assume practices will generally be scheduled at either of these rinks throughout the season. We reserve the right to schedule practices at another facility if necessary. As far as games; home games most likely will be at the Maryville University Hockey Center or Pacific Ice Rink; although there is no guarantee. Any away games will be at what ever facility the away team utilizes. Ultimately once teams are formed for the season, it is up to the Team (Coaches and Team manager) to determine what dates / times will be scheduled as home games and away games (after talking to their counter parts at the other clubs).

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Operations team listed under the About menu above.