SYHA Travel Teams are competitive. Players will be pushed to improve hockey skills and overall athleticism. If your player has ambitions of playing high school hockey or beyond, then this is the appropriate program.  SYHA has travel teams for 10u to 18u. 

SYHA Travel Teams at the 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u levels may elect to be "Tournament Bound" (TB), i.e. to compete for the chance to attend the Tier II (AA or A) New York State Championships in March (12u-18u), with the possibility of qualifying for the National Championships in April (14u-18u)

"AA" / “A” Level Competitive

• Coaches teach advanced level skill development for players who have the desire and the ability to compete at the "AA" or "A" level
• Players are selected for "AA" or "A" level teams as a result of a competitive try-out
• Offered at the 10u through 14u levels
• “AA” designation is dependent on the level skill for a given year.
• Approximately 80 1-hour practice sessions (approximately 20 of which is with a professional skating coach)
• 2-3 hours per week of off-ice training
• 45 or more games a season
• Travel includes both local and away games which could involve travel time of 2 or more hours

"B" Level Competitive

• Teaching emphasis is on intermediate to higher level skill development
• Players are selected for "B" level teams as a result of an evaluation
• Offered at the 10u through 14u levels
• Approximately 80 1-hour practice sessions (approximately 20 of which is with a professional skating coach)
• 1-2 hours per week of off-ice training
• 30 or more games a season
• Travel includes both local and away games which could involve travel time of 1 or more hours

"C" Level Competitive

• Teaching emphasis is developmental based upon progressive skill development
• Players are selected for "C" level teams as a result of an evaluation
• Offered at the 10u and 12u levels
• Approximately 80 1-hour practice sessions (approximately 20 of which is with a professional skating coach)
• 1-2 hours per week of off-ice training
• 30 or more games a season
• Travel includes both local and away games which could involve travel time of 1 or more hours

10 & Under (Squirts) – Consists of youths 10 years old and under, before December 31, in the year the season starts. 9 to 10 years of age.

12 & Under (Peewees) – Consists of youths 12 years old and under, before December 31, in the year the season starts. 11 to 12 years of age.

14 & Under (Bantams) – Consists of youths 14 years old and, before December 31, in the year the season starts. 13 to 14 years of age.

16 & Under (Midgets) – Consists of youths 16 years old and under, before December 31, in the year the season starts. 15 to 16 years of age.

18 & Under (Midgets) – Consists of youths 18 years old and, before December 31, in the year the season starts. 17 to 18 years of age.

Tryouts for all teams occur in March/April of each year. 

The travel season begins on September 1 and ends in mid-March.

Our primary rinks:

• Schenectady County Recreational Facility (SCRF) in Glenville, NY
• Messa Rink at Union College (Union) in Schenectady, NY 

Teams may practice or play home games at other Capital Region ice rinks if ice is not available at SCRF or Union. 

Travel teams play in the North New York State Hockey League (NNYSHL) league with home and away games against teams in their NNYSHL division (most games within 45 minutes). 

Teams may travel several hours on weekends for games (e.g., Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, Massena, Orange County).

Three practices a week, usually on weekday evenings.  In addition, off-ice training is expected 1-3 times per week. 

Every attempt is made to secure reasonable ice times for all teams. Players are expected to arrive 30-60 minutes prior to games and practices per respective Head Coach. 

SYHA Travel Teams play from 35 to 60 games per season (September to March). Teams may play 1-3 games per weekend weekend.  Teams often participate in 1-4 weekend tournaments a season that are out of town.

16U and 18U teams generally play a split season, playing 10-15 games from August to early November and then take a break for the high school season.  16u and 18u teams may re-form to practice or play games/tournaments in February and March (occasionally referred to as "wrap teams).

Players must purchase home and away game jerseys at an additional cost.   www.schenectadyyouthhockey.com/jersey

Registration fees are available at www.schenectadyyouthhockey.com/regfee.

Tournaments, extra ice time, events, referee fees, and team wear are not included in registration costs.  Head Coaches, Team Manager, and Parents should discuss these costs at the beginning of the season.