Instructional hockey is finally here. Hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in the Bergen County area. Whether on the recreational level or the high school level, more kids are gravitating towards this fast-paced and exciting sport. Bergen County is lucky to have several league options, whether it be ice hockey or floor hockey. While these leagues present ample opportunity for kids to enjoy playing hockey, the need to teach children the fundamentals of hockey from an early age has never been more present.
Founded by Jordan Glick and Aharon Goldwasser, the purpose of this program is to ensure that by the time kids are old enough to play in leagues they should have a basic knowledge of the skills and abilities that are needed to succeed. Children will be exposed to all aspects of the game, from offensive positioning, passing, and shooting to defensive positioning and defensive abilities. Sessions will consist of 40 minutes of actual instruction and 20 minutes of non-competitive games to allow the children to incorporate the skills they learn. The program is open to girls and boys in kindergarten, first, and second grades.
The founders of this program have long been involved in hockey. Aharon Goldwasser played hockey at Moshe Aaron Yeshiva HS (MAYHS) and coached at TABC, MAYHS, and JEC. Currently, Aharon is serving as a referee in the high school yeshiva league. Jordan Glick has been involved in hockey for over 30 years beginning as a player at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) and Camp Lavi and later serving as a coach at Camp Chaim Heller. Aharon and Jordan both believe that before any child joins a league, it is important to really understand how to play the game.
If played the right way, hockey can be extremely fun and rewarding. After attending this program, the hope is that the kids will have the skills and abilities necessary to move forward and succeed in the plethora of leagues that are available to them. Learning these skills as early as possible will allow the children to enjoy these leagues as greatly as possible. The first session is October 22nd. More information about this program can be found at www.youthinstructionalhockey.com.
