Learn to Play

• Rental equipment is available for a $200 refundable rental deposit which is refunded at the conclusion of the HIP program provided that the equipment is returned in good condition and is returned on the specified equipment return date
• Rental equipment is not included with the cost of the program and will be supplied on a first-come, first-serve basis, and while our supplies last. Equipment rentals dates will be coordinated and released but the LTP Manager or Equipment Manager before the start of each program (Fall, Spring, Summer).
• Checks only, no cash or credit card accepted
• You will not be able to leave with our equipment without a deposit check. 
• Rental equipment includes helmet, gloves, all pads (chest/shoulder, elbow / shin guards), and hockey pants
• Each player is also required to have hockey skates, a stick, neck guard, mouth guard, hockey socks and jocks shorts or a protective cup (males) or pelvic protector (females) (HIP rental equipment & fitting information flyer available on the website)
• Included with your HIP fee is a Sharks jersey for each player to keep
• ***Due to the popularity of our LTP/HIP program, we could be low on many of the most common sizes of rental equipment. If you were unable to attend one of the three equipment rental sessions. I would encourage you to purchase your own equipment at Play it Again Sports in Arnold, MO. or the Kirkwood location***

2024-25 FALL / WINTER LTP

Registration for the 2024 - 25 Fall / Winter Learn To Play session will open on Sept. 7th, 2024. A follow-up e-mail concerning equipment rental and scheduling will be released shortly after registration closes, to all who registered.

Fall / Winter LTP will start on : November 2nd, 2024

• Session times are Saturday mornings 
• 9:15 am, 10:00 am, 10:45 am 
• If you feel that you are not receiving E-mails, please check your spam folder. Contact the LTP Manager if that is not the issue

** READ ALL BELOW FOR FALL / WINTER LTP 2024-25 INFORMATION

Program Details:

• Cost is $275
• Approximately 120 skaters divided into three sessions based on skill level
• Concentration on basic hockey skills by several certified coaches

Location and Dates:

• 18 x 45-minute sessions will be held on Saturday mornings  starting November 2, 2024
• Sessions held at the FSI Shark Tank located at 6297 Lemay Ferry Road
• Session times are: 9:15am,10:00am, 10:45am
• The coaches will evaluate the players’ skill level and determine the appropriate session time for each player. For the first couple of weeks, players will attend sessions based on their last name, which will be announced closer to the start date of the program

Registration:

• Registration for this program will go live on September 7th, 2024
• Registration closes on October 6th, 2024 or once the program is full.
• Our LTP program is open to all kids that fit the criteria above in our area. Please pay close attention to the information on exclusive, shared, and open zip codes at the beginning of registration. 
• Learn To Play is for children that want to enter and learn the sport of hockey. If the child you register is already rostered on and playing on an MHC team, your registration will be canceled. LTP is not structured to support extra ice time for children already playing.  Again, please do not register for LTP if your child is already playing on a team.
• For questions about the HIP/LTP Program, contact the LTP Manager, Stephanie Engle , LTPmanager@meramecsharks.com.

2024-2025 FALL / WINTER LTP DATES

***Times on 12/14/2024 are a little different than the rest of the dates***

Welcome to the 2025 Spring Learn To Play Program

** The 2025 SPRING program registration will open on Feb 5 and will close on Mar 17th OR when the program reaches capacity. The registration link will be at the top of the Home Page **

LTP Equipment Rental and Return dates for Spring LTP:

Sunday 3/23 8am - 11am for Returns

Monday 3/24 5:30pm - 8pm for Fittings Option 1

Thursday 3/27 5:30pm - 8pm for Fittings Option 2

Program Details:

• Cost is $150 (no refunds)
• Maximum 120 skaters divided into three sessions based on skill level
• Concentration on basic hockey skills by several certified coaches

Location and Dates:

• 8 x 45-minute sessions will be held starting March 29 , 2025
• Sessions held at the FSI Shark Tank located at 6297 Lemay Ferry Road
• Session times are located below, (times are different from Fall/Winter LTP)
• The coaches will evaluate the players’ skill level and determine the appropriate session time for each player. For the first week, players will attend sessions based on their last name, Those assignments will be announced closer to the start date of the program

2025 Spring Learn to Play Schedule

8 touches in Spring LTP (below dates)

2 time slots per Saturday:

Session 1 - 9:15 am

Session 2 - 10:00 am

Dates: 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17

Ice Sessions: On Saturday, March 29th, please attend the session based on your player’s last name:

Session 1 - 9:00 am : A through L

Session 2 - 9:45 am : M through Z

During the first two weeks, all players will be assessed by the on-ice director & coaching staff to determine the best skill level based session for each child to attend. A colored sticker will be applied to the player’s helmet, which will indicate which time slot they are to attend going forward. This allows us to tailor each practice to the skill level of each group. Please do not remove these stickers.

If your child has not received a sticker by the 3rd week, please let us know upon check-in, so we can alert the coaching staff. It's important to note the your child’s time slot will most likely change after the first two sessions. Updates for group assignments / time slots will be sent via e-mail within the week before your child's next session. Usually after the second session, they are in their permanent time slots for the season.

Upon arrival:   Each week all players are to check-in at the table in the lobby before going to the locker rooms. The first week at check-in you will receive a jersey. If you are a returning skater in the LTP program, please use the jersey you received at your last session, unless your skater needs a new size.

Locker rooms: Players are to get dressed in the locker rooms that are provided on the far side of the rink. Please limit the locker room to one parent/guardian in the locker rooms, as they are very crowded. If possible, no siblings in the locker rooms. When you come into the rink there is a monitor on the wall that will show which locker room you should use.  Example: 9:45 HIP 1/3. This means you are to get dressed in either locker room 1 or 3.  

Once your skater is dressed and out on the ice, please observe your player from the stands

For your safety: Parents/guardians are not allowed on the player's benches.

On ice volunteers:  On Ice, Parent Volunteers will be needed for each session. We will have limited space on the ice this year because of the pandemic, therefore, there will only be 12 on ice volunteers allowed on the ice to help the coaches for each session. Volunteer slots will be “First Come, First Serve”. In order to volunteer on the ice, you will need to check in at the door. You will need to provide your completed liability form, which will be provided at the check in table.  Please complete the form and hand it to the volunteer at the desk when you check your child in for his or her session. All on ice volunteers are REQUIRED to turn in a completed form. This will only be required once per year, so if you volunteered during the fall, you are good.

This is a great opportunity to get out and skate with your child, but as an on ice volunteer, we also ask that you spread your time equally with all of the kids on the ice. The regular LTP Coaches will be on the ice with you to dictate the flow of the practice. 

Copy of Player Birth Certificate

Missouri Hockey requires that we collect a copy of each skaters birth certificate. Please bring a copy for our records. If you have submitted a birth certificate for LTP in the past you do not need to bring it again. We will only accept a paper copy of your players birth certificate at the check in table. Please do not E-mail them. 

Again… welcome to the Meramec Hockey Club Learn to Play program. Please keep in mind the first few weeks are quite busy as everyone settles into a routine, please allow yourself enough time to get your player ready. Thanks in advance for your patience. 

Any questions or concerns about LTP/ HIP, please email Matt Wertheimer, the Learn To Play Manager at LTPmanager@meramecsharks.com.

Program Details:

• Cost is $150
• Approximately 100 skaters divided into two sessions based on skill level
• Concentration on basic hockey skills by several certified coaches

Location and Dates:

• 8 x 45-minute sessions will start on May 30th and end on July 18th.
• Sessions held at the FSI Shark Tank located at 6297 Lemay Ferry Road
• Session times are will be 5:30 PM and 6:15 PM (two sessions)
• The coaches will evaluate the players’ skill level and determine the appropriate session time for each player. For the first couple of weeks, players will attend sessions based on their last name, which will be announced closer to the start date of the program

Equipment:

• Summer Equipment Rental will be TBD, members will be notified of their rental dates after registration closes.

Can players under the age of 4 participate in Learn to Play?

We do accept players under the age of 4. They will have to be registered manually. We ask that a parent/guardian/sibling accompany them onto the ice to help. Also, depending on the child's size, the equipment available to rent or buy is limited.

Can players over the age of 10 participate in Learn to Play?

We do accept players over the age of 10 (we have had kids up to 17-years old). Any child under the age of 4 and over the age of 10 will have to be registered manually. Players should be cognizant of the fact that the majority of the kids participating will be much younger than them. Also, depending on the skater's size, the equipment available to rent is limited (we do not have a lot of junior or adult sizes available for rental, mostly youth).

Isn’t Ice Hockey Expensive?

We know there is a perception that hockey can be expensive. While the cost of ice per hour and hockey equipment drives much of this perception, MHC wants to make sure every child who has an interest in trying out hockey, has that opportunity. Our low introductory price along with our equipment rental program is designed to allow parents and children an opportunity to try ice hockey at an extremely reasonable cost.

How much does the equipment cost? 

It's no secret that hockey is an expensive sport. To enjoy hockey to its fullest, you must have specific equipment that fits appropriately. Hockey skates will be your most significant and most important investment. Youth skates cost anywhere from $50 TO $300 (some cost more than $900, but those are not necessary). Your next most important investment is a helmet. Helmets with cages start at about $75-$100. However, more expensive helmets are usually more comfortable and are also adjustable with growth. Padding comes next. Youth sized shoulder pads are approximately $50.00, kneepads $30.00, and elbow pads $30.00, Hockey pants (breezers) $50-$75. Undergarments are not as expensive as the other items but are just as important when it comes to comfort. Compression shorts with jock built in and Velcro tabs are approximately $40.00. Hockey socks are about $12.00. Gloves are about $30.00, plus you'll also need a neck guard and mouth guard. Ice hockey sticks start at about $50.00 for junior sizes. You may buy any of these items online or at Play It Again Sports. We recommend that equipment is fitted by a knowledgeable salesperson if the parents are not familiar with the proper fit of hockey gear.

How Safe is Hockey?

While all sports include some level of risk, ice hockey is very safe if played in the correct manner. In Ice Hockey, children are required to wear protective gear that covers much of their body, so while the risk is not zero, it is greatly reduced.

Additionally, all players are required to register and become a member of USA Hockey. Membership with USA Hockey includes insurance. 

At what age do players start body checking? 

Under USA Hockey rules, players at the Bantam level are permitted to body check during games (the new Batam B2 level is a check free Batam level). Coaches at this level teach the players how to check and how to take a check to prevent injury.

How do I register with USA Hockey?

Follow this link to USA Hockey, Click Here

How do I find out if I live in a zip code assigned to the Meramec Sharks or another club?

Follow this link to Missouri Hockey, Click here. 

How do I know when my child is ready to take the next step and move out of LTP and onto a team?

Every skater is different. Once your skater has completed a full LTP session skating in the most advanced session (usually the early session), they are ready to try out for a team the following fall or sign up for spring 4 on 4. If you are still unsure, please speak to one of the coaches to get their opinion.

USA Hockey Information for New Hockey Parents

Click Here

What is a Squirt? What is a PeeWee? What are all these strange names that designate a players level?

6U (ages 5-6) 

8U (ages 7-8) (Levels Red, White & Blue in Missouri Hockey)

Squirt (ages 9–10) (Levels AAA, AA, A, B, C)

Peewee (ages 11–12) (Levels AAA, AA, A, B, C)

Bantam (ages 13–14) (Levels AAA, AA, A, B, B2) *B2 is non-checking

Minor Midget 16 and Under (ages 15–16) (Levels AAA, AA, junior varsity highschool-A)

Major Midget 18 and Under (ages 15–18) (Levels AAA, AA, varsity highschool-AA and AAA)

Leagues are also tiered as follows:

AAA: Tier 1 (not available with the Meramec Sharks)

AA: Tier 2 (Central States, St. Louis Eagles pod)

A: Tier 2 Average Hockey Level

B: Tier 2 Lower Hockey Level

C: Entry Level Hockey

For General Learn to Play questions, please email LTP Director: recruitingdirector@meramecsharks.com

Learn to Play equipment questions, 

please email Mike Fedke, Equipment Director: equipmentdirector@meramecsharks.com

For Volunteer questions please email Mike Reuss, Volunteer Director: volunteerdirector@meramecsharks.com

There are a couple important things that you need to remember and one document that you will need to complete and turn in before you can help.

• Liability Waiver- You will need to complete this prior to helping on the ice. On the ice, helpers need to complete a new form each year. This form will be provided at the check-in table before your LTP session.
• You will need skates, helmet, and gloves (yes, people have tried to go on the ice to help before without skates). A stick is optional but obviously helpful.  
• Please be willing to help children other than just your own.
• Minimum age to help is 10.
• Have fun!