USA Hockey Adult Hockey

Any mention of sports and recreation in California automatically conjures up images of sunshine, swimming, surfing or just hanging out at a beach. But as far as The Rinks Director of Hockey Rick Hutchinson is concerned, any mention of sports begins and ends with hockey.

“The adult hockey business in California is the biggest part of hockey in our state,” Hutchinson said. “By far, the numbers of people participating in adult hockey are huge.

“We’re second overall in the country.”

That might be anything but an idle boast considering the success of the Anaheim Ducks’ Adult Learn to Play Hockey Program, which was formed last November and assisted by USA Hockey's new Adult First Goal Equipment Program for adults.

“We’ve been doing learn-to-play hockey year-round for about four years for youngsters,” explained Hutchinson. “It’s really been successful for youngsters in the 4-to-10-year-old range. Then, while talking to parents, their response was, ‘We’d like to do this.’

“We promoted it at Yorba Linda [where The Rinks is located] and ended up with 90 guys on a waiting list. We started emailing parents of kids in the learn-to-play youth hockey program and the response was overwhelming. We put up a link on the Ducks’ website, and in a week or so we had 90 people on the list.”

Approximately 50 men, most of whom were parents, attended the first session. But arguably the people who got the biggest kick out of this program were the kids.

“It was like, ‘My dad’s doing this now,’” said Hutchinson.

Hutchinson sent out an email to inform parents that basic skills clinics would be held.

Then, three weeks of clinics were held with USA Hockey providing sticks and helmets.

“We were able to suit up everybody in full gear due in large part to donations by the rinks and the Anaheim Ducks,” Hutchinson said. “Over time, the adults just loved the program. They wanted to learn how to play even though we only could put 50 people on ice at one time.

“As other players were going to begin our three-week session, we offered some adult clinics for free.”

Eventually, a decision was make to create a Rookie Division consisting of four teams with players coming out of the Adult Learn to Play Hockey Program.

“We figured we’d have a pretty good response,” Hutchinson said. “But we’ve had an over-50 percent retention rate for adults. Of the 90 who showed up, we had 50 register for the league.

“So far, it’s been extremely successful.”

The program morphed into five divisions: Over-35/Elite Division (all players must be 35 years or older); Gold Division; Silver Division; Bronze Division; and Rookie Division (i.e. beginner league).

“The Elite Level is the highest we have,” Hutchinson said. “It consists of a lot of former pro and college players and is very strong.

“The Over-35 Division is broken up into an upper elite and lower level. The Gold, Silver, Bronze and Rookie divisions are based on skill level and how many years you’ve played.”

The involvement of the NHL’s Ducks, according to Hutchinson, has been invaluable.

“They’re very supportive every time I put together a program,” he said. “If we need gear, they give us what we need. It’s just the support staff that’s filtered down is what’s impressed me.

“It’s about bringing new people to the game. I’ve been involved with the Ducks for 17 years in different capacities, and my goal has been to establish grassroots programs.”

Not surprisingly, former Ducks have a connection with the various programs.

“A lot of former Ducks have children who play in the youth leagues,” Hutchinson said. “Guys like Teemu Selanne, Rob Niedermayer and Todd Marchant are always accessible to the fans.

“At first, they got mobbed. They’re in the building four times a week and are really great with the fans.”

“Great” is an appropriate adjective to use when describing the adult program’s growth.

“We had three adult sessions, one at Yorba Linda, one at Lakewood and one at Westminster Ice,” Hutchinson said. “The response has been overwhelming. We’ve had between 100 and 125 new players who’ve never played the game register.

“As we say in the business, it’s a good problem to have. Ice time is at a premium. It’s challenging but we’re doing it.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.