Fundraising Gala scheduled for Feb. 6

by Josh Levine

Can hockey be a sport for all Minnesotans or is the sport destined to slowly fade in terms of numbers and participation, as costs and barriers to entry seemingly rise? Part of the answer to this question is being answered inside the Richfield Ice Arena every weekend. 

For many years, Richfield hasn’t had a dedicated youth program or high school team. Aspiring youth hockey players play for Jefferson, while those attending Richfield High School play for Southwest Christian High School. Both of those are great options for athletes seeking to play competitive hockey. However, without a dedicated introductory or entry-level program in Richfield, many families never get into the game. 

That’s why we – The Fortis Academy – made it our mission to help revive the Richfield Youth Hockey program. Our program, “Little Spartans”, currently serves athletes ages 4-11. In future years, this age range will expand as we offer opportunities for older athletes. In our first year, 58 athletes registered. Year two saw that number grow to 78. This past year, over 100 athletes registered to continue playing or try hockey for the first time.

Each year the program sends hockey players to local travel associations such as Jefferson, Minneapolis, or Eden Prairie. We are proud to serve as a pathway into these more intensive programs while providing a positive introduction to the game.

The Little Spartans Richfield Youth Hockey model shows that if we make hockey affordable, accessible, and fun, participation grows. By widening the base of the pyramid at the youngest ages, we can develop more elite level talent over time – while also ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to play this great game. 

One of the most valuable aspects of our program is schedule consistency. Practices are held on the same day and at the same time throughout the entire winter season. Youth hockey travel programs could benefit from adopting this model – particularly at the mite level, and potentially even at the SQ/10U and higher levels. 

Keeping the game fun is also incredibly important for two key reasons. First, retention is our number one goal – we want as many players as possible to continue playing. Second, the experience should be enjoyable for the coaches. Who wants to try to teach a new skater edge work in a very deliberate manner? It’s not fun! Letting kids play encourages natural learning and enjoyment and leads to a love of the game. More structured instruction can come later!

If you’re interested in learning more about this program and volunteering, please go to https://thefortisacademy.com/richfield-youth-hockey/. We are also hosting a Gala on February 6th at the North House in Minneapolis from 6-9pm to help fundraise for the revitalization of Richfield Youth Hockey! 

WATCH: RICHFIELD HOCKEY IS BACK!