House Hockey!

You’ve made it into the Castle!

Players who have graduated from our Learn to Play program, or otherwise demonstrated they possess a good hockey foundation,* are ready for a more robust training and competitive environment with the Loudoun Castles, the house hockey affiliate of the Loudon Knights travel hockey club. We offer co-ed teams at the 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U age levels for players.

Practice

The Castles practice once during the week and play weekend games over the course of a 24-week season. Our practices focus on high-tempo, station-based sessions with a heavy dose of small-area games. Just like our Learn to Play program, we want our players to develop and learn within the context of the game following the ADM.

Games

Our House games include a “no-blowout rule.” No one gets better in a game decided by 10 goals, so we won’t have games decided by 10 goals. If, during our season, one team develops a significant lead, we will adjust the number of players on the ice to make it a competitive game. Our players get better when they compete and enjoy the game.

Goalies- we have you covered. Ion House practices include goalie instruction for those interested in learning this specialized position!

How Does it all Work?

House seasons begin with evaluation skates and team placement in August, with the season kicking off in September. Players may register for the full 24-week season, and we encourage them to do so. But we also offer the half-season option for those not quite ready to commit to a full hockey season. Teams formed in August will remain intact for the full season, but because we offer half-season options and will have new players graduating from Learn to Play during the holiday break, house teams may look slightly different for the Winter session (Jan – Mar) than they do for the Fall session (Sep – Dec). House League training focuses on individual skill development within a team dynamic. We work hard to keep all of our house teams balanced over the full season to encourage competition and enjoyment for all.

In Case You Were Wondering ...

small area games are not just for developing players. The transferability of skills developed in small area games to the modern game is well-established, and players from youth, junior, college, and pro ranks utilize this valuable teaching tool. Former Olympic Team and current Wisconsin Badgers Head Coach Tony Granato explains the benefits of small area games at all levels- click BELOW to watch members of the USA Hockey National Team demonstrating some of the small area games they use as part of their training regimen

Training

Our 6U, 8U, and 10U teams will play half-ice and cross-ice games so that our players train in space proportionally relevant to their size and skill level. Doing so makes that transferrable as those players advance. Most of the modern game is played in small areas. Smaller players on small ice play the game with the same amount of time and space to make plays as they will when they are older players on full ice. Our 12 U players will play a mix of half-ice and full-ice games, while our 14U players will play on full ice.

Player Evaluation

*Players can be evaluated by Ion certified coaches to progress to House without having completed LTP 1 and 2 if they demonstrate sufficient fundamentals to safely compete in the House program. All decisions regarding player placement will be made in favor of proper player development.

Loudoun Castles Schedule

Fall Season: September 12, 2020 – December 13, 2020: $780 (jersey and socks included)
Team Practices Saturday between 7:00 and 10:00am
Games Sunday between 6:00am and 9:30am
Schedule will be set based on registration.

Winter Season: January 2, 2021 – March 28, 2021: $780 (jersey and socks included)
Team Practices Saturday between 7:00 and 10:00am
Games Sunday between 6:00am and 9:30am
Schedule will be set based on registration.

All Loudoun Castle players must register with USA Hockey, and submit a valid USA Hockey registration number as part of the Ion registration process. USA Hockey provides insurance coverage, access to special USA Hockey events, and a subscription to USA Hockey magazine. Click BELOW to register.

USA Hockey Membership

Our Amazing Coaches

All Loudoun Castle players must have their own equipment including:

An H.E.C.C. certified hockey helmet with full face protection and chin strap
Ice hockey gloves
Elbow pads
Shoulder pads
Shin guards
Ice hockey pants
Hockey skates
Hockey stick
Mouth guard
Neck guards are recommended but not required.