Winter Hockey League

The Winter Rec League is the perfect entry point into the game of hockey, designed for beginner to intermediate players. The program focuses on skill development in a fun and supportive environment, helping players enjoy the game and prepare for more competitive levels.

Program Goals

• Build a solid foundation in skating and hockey skills
• Emphasize teamwork, grit, responsibility, and leadership
• Promote a love for the game while preparing players for future advancement

Is Your Player Ready?

Before joining the Winter Rec League house program, players must have basic skating and stick-handling skills to ensure a safe, fun, and successful experience on the ice.

Required Prerequisites

To participate in the Winter League, players must complete the following programs:

• Little Preds Learn to Play (LTP) Hockey
• Lil Wild (formerly LTP 2.0) — one to two sessions

Completion of these programs ensures players have the foundational skills, confidence, and game awareness needed for league play.

Practice Location

All Winter Rec League practices and games for every division are held at:

Cool Sports Knoxville

110 S Watt Rd

Knoxville, TN 37934

The Winter League is a 5-month program that runs from mid-October through mid-March. It's our longest and most popular season—perfect for players looking to build skills, grow with a team, and enjoy consistent game and practice time throughout the winter.

A youth hockey program for players 8 and under, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and fun. Will feature a mix of weeknight-only practices and games designed to improve skating, passing, and shooting while keeping the game safe and enjoyable. Perfect for staying active and preparing for the next season.

8U – Mite Division

Birth Years: 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021

Schedule & Games

Days: Wednesday

Time:

• Mini: 5:40 – 6:30 PM (Beginner & Intermediate)
• Mighty: 6:30 – 7:20PM (Advanced)

Games : Saturday morning

8U (Mites): $599 + $50 KAHA Admin Fee + processing fee

A youth hockey program for players 10 and under, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and fun. Will feature practices and games designed to improve skating, passing, and shooting while keeping the game safe and enjoyable. Perfect for staying active and preparing for the next season.

10U – Squirt Division

Birth Years: 2016 & 2017

Schedule & Games

Days: Monday

Time: 5:40 - 6:35 PM

Games : Saturday morning

10U (Squirts): $799 + $50 KAHA Admin Fee + processing fee

A youth hockey program for players 12 and under, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and fun. Will feature practices and games designed to improve skating, passing, and shooting while keeping the game safe and enjoyable. Perfect for staying active and preparing for the next season.

12U – Peewee Division

Birth Years: 2014 & 2015

Schedule & Games

Days: Monday

Time: 6:35 - 7:30 PM

Games : Saturday morning/afternoon

12U (Squirts): $799 + $50 KAHA Admin Fee + processing fee

The Winter League season begins with player evaluations on September 28th. These evaluations are used to help create balanced teams and promote competitive play across all divisions. They are not tryouts, but an opportunity to assess each player’s current skill level for team placement.

If a player is not yet ready for house league competition, families may be encouraged to continue in the Lil Wild program to allow for additional skill development before joining league play.

Each division in the Winter Rec League follows a consistent weekly schedule designed to balance skill development and game experience:

Weekly Format:

• 1 Station-Based Skill Practice per Week
• 1 Half-Ice Game per Week (8U)
• 1 Full-Ice Game per Week (10U-12U)



Skill Practice Focus:

Our station-based practices emphasize the development of core hockey skills:

• Skating
• Passing
• Shooting
• Puck Handling
• Teamwork & Situational Play

This structure ensures players build a solid foundation while having fun and progressing as part of a team.

New This Season!

Players will wear new custom reversible (black and white) Smoky Mountain Wild hockey jerseys during the regular season.

KAHA jerseys are mandatory. New custom SMW reversible jerseys and black team socks can be purchased at the link below:

[Add Link]

Skaters Will Need:

• Team Jersey (Black & White Reversible)
• Team Socks (Black) (If Needed)

Reusable jerseys are absolutely fine to continue using if they still fit comfortably, and you are not required to purchase a new set.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Jerseys are reversible, you only need one per player.

PLEASE EMAIL ORDERMYGEAR@PUREHOCKEY.COM WITH ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR JERSEY ORDER

KAHA Winter League does not handle jersey orders, please reach out to Purehockey with any order questions. 

Exceptions may be made for younger or older players on a case-by-case basis. Coaches will evaluate these players based on hockey experience and direct observation during league-wide Rate Skates.

If you cannot attend the Rate Skate, please contact the KAHA Hockey Director.

FIRSTYEARPLAYER - This code is a $200 discount for players who will be playing their first full hockey season *Winter League (October through March). If you are moving up from Learn To Play Hockey and/or have never played a full hockey season (anywhere), you qualify for this discount.

Goalies in the 10U - 12U divisions receive a 50% discount:

• 10U - 12U Goalies: $399 + $50 KAHA Admin Fee + processing fee

Please contact the KAHA Treasurer before proceeding:

📧 kahatreasurer2020@gmail.com

We offer two convenient payment methods to make registration easier for families:

Pay in Full

• Full payment is made at the time of registration.

Payment Plan

• Pay an initial deposit at registration
• Followed by three automatic payments on:
• October 1st
• November 1st
• December 1st
• January 1st

Please select your preferred payment option during registration.

Volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers are essential to the success of our league. If you are interested in helping in one of these roles, we would love to hear from you!

Coaches work alongside our Rec Coordinator to provide consistent, developmentally appropriate hockey instruction for our players.

Team managers assist with scoreboard operation and team communications throughout the season.

We will help guide and support all volunteers with the information and resources needed to coach or manage a team successfully.

If you are willing to volunteer your time, please email the KAHA Hockey Director for more information.

All skaters must be registered with USA Hockey before participating in any on-ice activities, as required by KAHA.

How to Register:

• Complete your child’s registration at USA Hockey.
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with your child’s USA Hockey Confirmation Number.

You will need this number to enroll in any KAHA program.

🚨 Reminder: No player will be allowed on the ice without a valid USA Hockey registration.

What is the difference between House League & Travel?

• House League is designed for players of varying skill levels and does not require tryouts. It’s a great way for players to learn and enjoy the game in a more relaxed setting, with all games played at our home facility. Travel Hockey, on the other hand, involves higher competition levels, tryouts, and games against other associations, often involving travel and overnight stays for tournaments.