House Hockey
Year Round Hockey for the Growing Player
Where Hockey Is Always In Season!
Winter Season Registration Now Open!
Point of Contact: House Hockey Director Matt McLaughlin
Tri-City Eagles House Hockey:
--- is where we strive to create an environment that builds on basic fundamentals while fostering a life long enjoyment of the game of ice hockey.
--- is designed to provide a quality experience for both anyone entering the sport and those players who have multiple years of experience.
--- provides a foundation of hockey experience that will prepare players for more competitive environments.
Requirements:
** Players must provide all their own equipment
Recommendations:
** While we always work with our players to become better skaters, in order to have a quality experience, we recommend a strong foundation in ice skating skills.
For information on how to get started skating, check out the "Learn to Skate" program hosted by The Gardens Ice House.
Our House Hockey Winter Season utilizes an "academy style" approach, focusing on player growth through skill fundamentals, basic hockey concepts, and fun competition.
Events are held entirely at The Gardens Ice House and game play is limited to small area competition. We do not play full ice games in House Hockey. Instead, our preference is to increase experiences through higher repetitions. This increased frequency accelerates player skill development, decision making, and competitiveness. There are also no tryouts; players are placed within the program as long as space is available.
House Hockey comes in two forms depending on the time of year:
-- Winter Season from late October through February
-- Mini-Seasons are a series of sessions that take place outside of the Winter Season and are approximately 2 months in length. Registration is available for full series or individual "drop-in" sessions.
During the Winter Season, the program includes two sessions per week (one weekday, one weekend). The weekday session focuses on station based skill development and the weekend sessions provide a scrimmage event, featuring smaller area games and competition. At these beginning stages, we love the use of small area competition, creating increased repetition and experiences that will translate more easily to the full ice game found at the next level.
House Hockey Mini-Seasons is our design to provide hockey experiences year round. Whether you're interested in trying hockey for the first time or you're excited to level up your skills, the Mini-Season series are there in the spring, summer, and fall to keep you ascending. Mini-Seasons sessions only occur on Saturdays 1-2pm. Registration is available in full session or individual "drop-in" sessions depending on your needs and availability.
Beyond House Hockey, Tri-City provides both Travel-Lite and Travel programs. These options become available once a player begins to show mastery within the House Hockey environment. Both Travel-Lite and Travel programs utilize tryout events to evaluate players for appropriate placement. Travel tryouts generally occur in the spring (March/April). Travel-Lite take place after Travel tryouts, either later in spring or through the summer. More details on each program can be found on their respective website pages.
Have questions or need assistance of any kind? Reach out to House Hockey Director Matt McLaughlin
Looking for more opportunities to improve your skating and skills development? Check out our Clinics and Camps page!
When: September 7th - October 19th (7 Saturday Sessions)
Time: 1-2pm
Cost:
**Register for all sessions = $175
**Register for individual sessions = $35/session
Have questions or need assistance of any kind? Reach out to House Hockey Director Matt McLaughlin
Looking for more opportunities to improve your skating and skills development? Check out our Clinics and Camps page!
This year’s House Hockey Winter Season program features two age groups: 10U and Older and 8U and Younger.
10U and Older will practice on Mondays, 7-8pm
8U and Younger will practice Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm
Both will skate on Saturdays 1-2pm
8U and Younger (Players born in 2016 or younger)
Begins: Wednesday, October 23
Weekday Practice: Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm @ TGIH: Resor Rink
(exceptions: 11/27, 12/18, 12/25, 1/1)
Weekend Scrimmage: Saturdays, 1-2pm @ TGIH
(exceptions: 11/30, 12/28, 1/18, 2/15)
Season Ends: End of February
Uniform: Reversible practice jersey and hockey socks (included)
Cost: $950
Registration Link: Winter House Hockey - 2024-25
10U and Older (Players born in 2015 and older)
Begins: Monday, October 21
Weekday Practice: Mondays, 7-8pm @ TGIH: Logsdon Rink
(exceptions: 11/25, 12/23, 12/30, 1/20, 2/17)
Weekend Scrimmage: Saturdays, 1-2pm @ TGIH: Resor Rink
(exceptions: 11/30, 12/28, 1/18, 2/15)
Season Ends: End of February
Uniform: Reversible practice jersey and hockey socks (included)
Cost: $950
Registration Link: Winter House Hockey - 2024-25
House Hockey Requirements:
** Players must provide all their own equipment
Have questions or need assistance of any kind? Reach out to House Hockey Director Matt McLaughlin
Looking for more opportunities to improve your skating and skills development? Check out our Clinics and Camps page!
Matt McLaughlin - matt@tricityeagles.com
Matt McLaughlin has been involved in coaching at Tri-City for the last eight years. He is passionate about helping young skaters learn the fundamentals of hockey. “My goal as a coach and leader is to pass along the lessons this sport has taught me and to make the game of hockey fun for every kid involved,” says McLaughlin. Matt started playing hockey at twelve years old, ultimately graduating from Gonzaga College High School where he spent time as both a player and manager. Now, Matt continues his love of the game as a member of the Admirals Hockey Club adult league team.
Matt lives and breathes sports. He is a 2003 graduate of Xavier University with a Bachelors in Sports Management and is now the Director of Corporate Sponsorships for the Bowie Baysox, AA minor league affiliate to the Baltimore Orioles. Tri-City is lucky to have Matt leading our House program, which seeks to create an environment of learning, inclusion, and a passion for boys and girls from the first step.
Q. Is there a sibling discount?
A. Yes, we apply all sibling discounts following the completion of season registration. We do provide discounts for siblings in different programs (House, Travel-Lite and/or Travel).
Q. I see that the House Hockey Winter Season is split by age. I have children that are both 10U and 8U. Can I have them be on the same night for weekday practices?
A. Yes, we can handle these requests on a case by case basis. We understand the complexities of family scheduling so are able/willing to accommodate.
Q. Do we need to provide our own equipment?
A. Yes, each player is responsible for their own equipment. With enough time, we can assist in securing used items but cannot guarantee availability. Please see a quick list below of required items:
- Skates
- Shin/knee pads
- Hockey pants
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Gloves
- Hockey helmet (HECC certified)
- Neck laceration protection (neck guard)
- Stick
Q. We need to get equipment. What do you suggest?
A. We have three suggested avenues:
1) Donated
Communicate your needs with us and we will do our best to secure donated equipment. We cannot guarantee availability and we suggest you reach out as far in advance as possible. For any questions and/or assistance, please contact House Hockey Director, Matt McLaughlin (matt@tricityeagles.com).
2) New
Mike Hendrix at East Coast Sporting Goods (pro shop at The Gardens Ice House) and his staff are fantastic for getting your player outfitted with the best equipment available.
3) Used
If you’re interested in purchasing used equipment, a simple “used ice hockey equipment” browser search will provide plenty of options. There is also a Play-It-Again-Sports in Ellicott City, MD.
Definitely consider donating used and/or outgrown equipment back to Tri-City to continue our efforts to ease the entry point cost for our sport!
Q. What opportunities for improvement exist between now and the start of the House Hockey Winter Season?
A. You’re in luck! The Gardens Ice House and Tri-City Eagles are proud to offer skating and hockey opportunities year round!
Recommendation #1: skate, skate, skate. It is very important to build a strong foundation in skating skills. The Gardens Ice House’s Learn to Skate program is a great place to start! Visit their website here.
Once you’ve built a basic foundation in skating skills, you’ll be ready to enter hockey specific programming. Leading into the House Hockey Winter Season, the Tri-City Eagles provide a House Hockey Fall Mini-Season which features a Saturday 1-2pm session focused on skill development, small area games, and fun. We are approaching the 3rd session on 9/21 and do always provide the option of purchasing a single drop-in session. Check out registration information on our House Hockey Fall Mini-Season on our website!
Q. What's the difference between "Learn to Play Hockey" and "House Hockey?"
A. “Learn to Play” =
- Equipment provided for the length of series
- Focus on fundamental skills
- Does not require USA Hockey Membership
“House Hockey”
- Player is responsible for own equipment
- Focus:
- Winter Season = a balanced development of hockey skills, hockey concepts, and small area competitive play
- Mini-Season = a primary focus on fun, small area competitive play with supportive skill and concept development
- USA Hockey Membership Required
Q. Can I transition into House Hockey in the middle of the Winter Season?
A. Yes! Contact Matt McLaughlin (matt@tricityeagles.com) for information.
Q. Can I participate in multiple programs at the same time?
A. Yes! In fact, we have intentionally built a few bridges to accommodate.
- Saturdays are almost always 3 consecutive hours of “Learn to Skate,” followed by “Learn to Play,” and finishing with “Tri-City Eagles House Hockey” from 1-2pm. Combining programs is a great way to maximize your experience.
- Our Mini-Season start and end dates are built to match up with “Learn to Play,” meaning you’ll be able to complete a “Learn to Play” series and immediately continue to the Mini-Season the very next week.
Registration Links
*USA Hockey Registration Required
Visit the USA Hockey Website to register
*Players must have their own equipment
For those who potentially wish to experience our Youth and/or Girls Travel hockey programs in the future, it is highly recommended that you supplement your training with both in and off season lessons, clinics, and camps.
Speak with the House Hockey Director for more information.
