Let's Play Hockey
Are you thinking about having your child try skating and the sport of ice hockey? We know that once your skater sets foot on the ice, they'll want to come back for more — and we'll have a path and plan for your skater.
The Wildcat Youth Hockey Association is the place for boys and girls from Waunakee, DeForest, Lodi, Poynette and other surrounding communities to play hockey and have a fun winter on the ice.
The hockey season starts in October and runs through early March — most of our practices and home games are at the Ice Pond in Waunakee. Younger skaters have a practice in the middle of the week and another on Saturday, and they play games in the Madison area on Sundays starting in November. Older players may have multiple practices in a week and games — around Madison and other parts of the state — on the weekend.
try hockey for free
The Wildcats will host a Try Hockey For Free event with USA Hockey on Saturday, September 14th ,2024 (time to be announced) at the Ice Pond in Waunakee.
We’ll provide all of the equipment for interested skaters. More information about how to register will be posted HERE closer to the event or you can visit http://www.tryhockeyforfree.com/
ready to sign up
If you’re ready to lace up the skates, registration will open for the 2024-25 season on
Monday, August 12 at 9:00am
For the 10U/Squirt age group and up (this includes kids born before 2015), registration will close on September 1st at 8:00pm.
Any jerseys ordered AFTER that date will incur an additional cost to cover the shipping of your individual order, and we can’t guarantee that your jersey will be received by your player's first game/tournament.
----- Competitive Teams -----
The season for competitive teams at the levels below begin in early September with practices and evaluations for team placements.
- 14U/Bantam (birth years 2010 and 2011)
- 12U/Peewee (birth years 2012 and 2013)
- 10U/Squirt (birth years 2014 and 2015)
Team practices will start shortly after the evaluations in early October, and games will begin by early November. Skaters at these age levels generally practice two or three times a week and play one or two weekend games on Saturdays and Sundays. Skaters are placed on teams based on their ability and skill level, which allows every skater to progress and have the most opportunities for individual development.
For more information on competitive teams, vist our Youth Hockey Page
----- Learn to Play -----
Skaters can develop their fundamental hockey skills in the Mites programs.
- 8U (birth years 2016 and 2017)
- 6U (birth years 2018 and after)
Their season starts in mid-October and runs through early March. Skaters are placed on teams based on their ability and skill level, which allows every skater to progress and have the most opportunities for individual development.
For more information on competitive teams, vist our Youth Hockey Page.
Those skaters who join the Try Hockey For Free event on Sept. 14 may still register for the season if they decide to try playing.
----- learn to skate -----
This program gives kids a chance to learn the fundamentals of skating. The Learn To Skate program has three sessions — beginning in mid-October and ending in early March. Each session runs about 6 weeks with a 45 minute practice session per week.
Practice times and days may vary, but will typically be early Saturday mornings.
Skaters only need skates and a hockey or bike helmet — no other equipment is needed.
For more information, visit out Learn to Skate page.
Have more questions?
We have experts at each age level to answer your questions — here’s who to contact:
Kids born in 2010 and 2011 (Bantam level): aldbantam@wildcathockey.org
Kids born in 2012 and 2013 (Peewee level): aldpeewee@wildcathockey.org
Kids born in 2014 and 2015 (Squirt level): aldsquirt@wildcathockey.org
Kids born in 2016 and 2017 (8U Mites): ald8u@wildcathockey.org
Kids born 2018 and later (6U Mites): ald6u@wildcathockey.org
Learn to Skate (skating lessons): ltsALD@wildcathockey.org
More details about our program, what new hockey parents need to know to get involved and what equipment you’ll need is available under the Resources tab.
Please reach out to info@wildcathockey.org with any questions.