National Sports Center | Blaine, Minnesota

Spring 2023 (Registration Closed)

• Wednesdays, Mar. 15 - May 3, 2023
• Intro I - 5:40 - 6:10 pm Super Rink 1 
• Intro II & III 5:40 - 6:40 pm Super Rink 1 

Summer I 2023 (Registration Closed)

• Wednesdays, May 10 - Jun 28, 2023
• Intro I - 5:40 - 6:10 pm Super Rink 1 
• Intro II & III 5:40 - 6:40 pm Super Rink 1 

Summer II 2023 (Registration Closed)

• Wednesdays, July 26 - September 13, 2023
• Intro I - 5:40 - 6:10 pm Super Rink 1 
• Intro II & III 5:40 - 6:40 pm Super Rink 1 

Fall 2023 (Registration OPEN)

• Wednesdays, September 27 - November 15, 2023
• Intro I - 5:40 - 6:10 pm Super Rink 1 
• Intro II & III 5:40 - 6:40 pm Super Rink 1 

Intro to Hockey introduces young players to the basic fundamental skills of hockey including skating, puck control, passing, and everything in between!

All levels incorporate hockey skills with motor, physical, mental and social skills in a positive environment. This program also builds self esteem, confidence, promotes sportsmanship and fair play while instilling a love and passion for the game of hockey.

Features

• 8 on-ice sessions 
• Professional instruction
• Low player to instructor ratio
• Proven teaching methods for best results at younger ages, utilizing the ISI and USA Hockey recommendations.
• Receive an Intro to Hockey Jersey 

NSC Event HQ. This system will streamline your enrollment process and give you more access to your customer account. Use this system to register for Intro to Hockey I, II, or III.

If this is your first time using the system, you will need to create a NSC Event HQ Household Account.  The account owner must be 18 years of age or older.  

After you have created your account, verify your email and set up your password. You can then add your spouse and/or children as “participants”.  Click here to get started.

If you already have an account then login here.

Contact the program registrar with any questions or for further assistance.

Intro 1 (intended for first-time hockey players who have gone through some skating skills in the past)

*Must be able to fall down and get up on their own

Athletic Skills Development:

• Stand up, Fall, March, Glide, Dip, Snowplow Stop, Forward Swizzles, Glide Turns

Puck Skills Development:

• Proper Stick Placement
• Stationary Puck Handling

Intro II (intended for players with little experience in hockey) 

*Hockey I Prerequisite or being able to skate the width of the rink without problems

Athletic Skills Development:

• Forward Swizzles, Forward Hockey Shuffle, Forward Slalom, 1 Foot Glide, Snowplow Stop (both feet), Forward C Cuts, Forward Scooter Pushes, Forward Crossovers, Forward Stride

Puck Skills Development:

• Stationary Puck Handling, Open Ice Carry, Forehand Sweep Pass, Receiving a Pass, Forehand Sweep Shot 

Intro III (intended for players who have some general experience in hockey)

* Prerequisite Hockey I & II or forward skating with proficiency

Athletic Skills Development:

• Backward Swizzles, Backward Hockey Shuffle, Backward Slalom, Backward 1-foot Glide, Hockey Stop, Backward C Cuts, Backward Alternating C Cuts, Power Turn 

Puck Skills Development:

• Backhand Sweep Pass, Receiving a Backhand Sweep Pass, Open Ice Carry in a Circle, Backhand Sweep Shot

Full hockey equipment highly recommended (not provided)

• Helmet required with full facemask
• Mouth guard
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Hockey gloves or other gloves 
• Hockey pants/breezers or long pants 
• Shin pads
• Hockey socks or sweat pants to cover shin pads
• Skates
• Hockey stick
• Jersey will be provided for all participants

Intro I: $200/player

Intro II and III: $300/player

*difference is half hour of ice for intro I and full hour of ice for intro II and III

Program Fee includes a jersey, 8 practices at the Super Rink, and a fun and inviting atmosphere to learn the sport of hockey. 

*Financial scholarships available: please contact the program director for more information and to request the financial scholarship application form.

Refund Policy

• 30-10 days prior to start of class - 75% refund
• 9 days prior - 50% refund
• After session begins: In house Credit (dependent on # of sessions attended)
• Injuries = full refund with medical note (dependent on # of sessions attended)

Program Cancelation Policy: The following policy will be enacted IF a program hosted by the National Sports Center MUST be canceled by the directives of the State of Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Health. Please know that our top priority on making decisions moving forward will be the safety and health of our participants, coaches, employees, and spectators.

Participants will receive a refund for your program entry. Participant registration refunds will be processed at 100% of the registration total. 

*Please note that if a participant elects to drop prior to the program, the above voucher policy will be in effect. This includes participants making their own decision to withdraw prior to the potential cancellation.

If a customer (club, *team, individual) is required to quarantine due to illness or exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and are unable to participate for this reason, a refund will be not be issued unless done within the parameters of the existing policy. The event director will reschedule, if possible. Reschedules are not guaranteed to be on the same day or time as originally scheduled.

*Roster adjustments may be allowed per event directors discretion.

Surcharge Fee

• The National Sports Center has instituted a 2% surcharge on all submitted card payments to help cover a portion of the processing fees assessed to the NSC by the card processing companies. Customers can avoid the fee by registering online and paying with an e-check.  

My daughter played a full Init-D season last year, a few short clinics here and there, and is on week #3 with the Intro Mites. I must say, that hands down, this is by far the most fun and best skating/hockey experience she has been involved with since day one. Great job coaches and the others who make it happen. My wife have boasted about the program to others and will definitely continue to do so.
Thanks,

• Aaron

Thanks for a great camp. Our son Owen came off the rink every day sweating and smiling. He loved it and we will be signing up for the next session. Thanks again!

• Mike

My son, Michael was in the last session of Intro Mites on Tuesday mornings. I want to give our compliments to the Coach. He is an exceptional coach and deserves an abundance of praise. He is so positive, fun and energetic. Each session was exciting for my son, yet well controlled, considering the challenging age group he was working with. I saw a big improvement in Michael’s skating ability and most importantly, he has developed a genuine love for the sport of hockey. He has been counting the days for it to start again, and following hockey at every level from High School to the Olympics. I have recommended this program to two of our friends who are now enrolled in the Saturday session, the coaching being the primary reason for it.

• Shelley and Jeff

Thank you-Sage loved the intro mites and loved his coach- Tad. He had so much fun and learned a lot too. Tad is a great coach & does a really good job with the kids. Teaching them, and at the same time making it fun for them. It was well worth the drive from Belle Plaine for the class! Sage is now looking forward to the next camp the last week in August at the Super Rink :)

Thanks again- you have a wonderful program for the kids.

• Jami

Please thank all the coaches in this Intro session. Our son really enjoyed the program. Great idea teaching skills while playing games. We need to give kids a fun first experience on the ice. Nice Work!

• Jon

 I have been extremely impressed with the way that  you run this program. It is clear that a lot of thought went in to planning a program that emphasizes the most important thing for kids of this age, that they have fun on the ice. While there is no doubt that hockey skills are developed as well, developing a passion for an activity in a four year old is truly a remarkable skill. My son looks forward to hockey every Saturday morning all week and enjoys himself immensely while he is there. We will certainly sign him up for the program again. Thanks again.

• Mike

The thanks go to all of you for your time and energy. Thank you so much for all your work, our daughter, Cassie, had a great time out there with you all.

Thanks,

• Karyn & Chris

Thank you guys for a great session. I know that Torin learned a lot in an environment with a great group of coaches.

Thanks again!

• Jennifer

Thank you Darin! You and your staff should be proud of the work you do with the little guys. A job well done. Nolan will see you in the spring.

The NSC Fund For Play is the contribution and donation arm of the National Sports Center Foundation. We are dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesota residents by creating programs and initiatives that support a diverse and engaged community. If you would like to make a donation to improve the health, well-being, and outlook of participants through access to sports and healthy, safe environments, please click HERE.

Thank you for considering!

All customers are asked to review the National Sports Center's COVID-19 Preparedness Plan prior to participating in Intro to Hockey. Please click here. The indoor facilities specific plan is linked to the top of the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan page.