The Polar Caps offer a wide range of hockey programs suited to the needs of each individual player as they progress. We align our programs with USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) to promote sustained physical activity, health and safety, and age-appropriate development and performance for our players. Our coaches closely monitor the skill level and aptitude of players to make sure the hockey experience is positive and rewarding.
District Residency for In-House
Players in the Polar Caps In-House programs must reside in the Vel Phillips Memorial or West High School districts in Madison. Please contact our Registrar if you have questions about district residency.
Polar Caps offers several Learn to Play (LTP) sessions beginning in the fall and throughout the winter season. Each LTP session runs for about 5 weeks. LTP is for our newest and often youngest players who may have had some prior experience skating. LTP is designed to be a fun, low-pressure introduction to basic hockey skills through games and free-play.
The Cross Ice (X-Ice) program teaches players ages 5-6 who have advanced from LTP the basic strategies of competitive hockey and introduces team and competitive play. Cross Ice teams typically practice 2-3 times per week prior to the start of games in December. Then they practice 1-2 times per week and play scrimmage games against other Cross Ice teams in the Dane County area on 1/3 of a sheet of ice with no goalies.
Also known as Mites, the Red, White & Blue (RWB) program is for players ages 7-8 that stresses continued development of skating skills, hockey strategies, and fundamentals. The three levels within the program (Red, White, Blue) provide an appropriate like-skill experience for all skaters. RWB players practice 2-3 times a week prior to the start of games in November. Then they practice 1-2 times per week and play recreational games on the weekend against other RWB teams in the Dane County area on 1/2 of a sheet of ice or on the Studio ice rink at MIA with a suited up goalie in the net. RWB teams often participate in a local tournament during the season.
The 10U Development program functions as an extension of LTP for newer, older players who have not gone through Cross Ice 6U and/or RWB 8U. The program serves players at the 10U (9-10 year olds) age level who may have had some prior experience skating. They practice 1-2 times per week and play recreational small-area scrimmage games on the Studio rink. Practices focus on fundamentals and skill development and introduce gameplay concepts as the season progresses. Additionally, some full ice skills practices and scrimmages combining 10U Development players with our Travel Squirt / 10U Girls teams are scheduled throughout the season to introduce additional hockey tactics and strategies.
The House program, previously known as Rink Rats, focuses on continued development of skating skills, basic hockey concepts, and fundamentals. The House 12/14U program serves players at the 12U+ (11 years and older) age levels who are typically newer, older players and have not gone through the ADM stages covered at Cross Ice 6U and/or RWB 8U. They practice 1-2 times per week and play recreational small-area scrimmage games on the Studio rink. Practices focus on skill development and may be wholly dedicated to 3v3 or 4v4 gameplay as the season progresses. Additionally, some full ice practices and scrimmages combining House 12/14U players with our Pee Wee / 12U Girls teams may be scheduled throughout the season to introduce development of additional hockey tactics and strategies. Note that more advanced players who want to play full ice games against other club teams in a competitive team format with only players of their same age should play instead on the Squirt / 10U Girls, Pee Wee / 12Girls, or Bantam / 14U Girls hockey teams.
District Residency for Travel
Players in the Polar Caps Travel program should reside in the Vel Phillips Memorial or West High School districts in Madison. Please contact our Registrar if you have questions about district residency.
As your player progresses, they will move up to the Travel hockey teams at each age classification.
Placement on these competitive teams is designed specifically to group together players with similar skill levels and experience. Evaluations are held at the conclusion of preseason practices to determine team placements. Like-skilled teams are formed for A, B, C1, and C2 levels of competition within WAHA (Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association) at each age level depending on the total number of players.
The Polar Caps will host at least one all-girls team each at the 10U and 12U age levels for the season. If registration numbers can support it, the Polar Caps will form A and B girls teams at each level. The Polar Caps will accept qualified transfers to support formation of two all-girls teams at each level.
Note that Girls hockey teams at the 14U ages are currently supported and run through a co-op with the Madison Mavericks (Learn More).
The Polar Caps Squirt / 10U Girls, Pee Wee / 12U Girls, and Bantam hockey teams typically have 3 practices per week, have off-ice training, and have weekend games at home and/or away throughout WI and sometimes in neighboring states. Typically, teams may participate in a regional area weekend tournament and may also have 2 or more out of town weekend tournaments per season. The level of travel for games and tournaments is adjusted for each team each season based on what is needed to create a balanced schedule while maintaining a competitive environment for the team as a whole.
Travel teams also play for an opportunity to compete in the Wisconsin State Tournament at the end of the season. The Polar Caps travel teams are part of Region 4 and play in Division 1 of WAHA.
| Birth Year | "Hockey Age" | Learn to Play | 6U Cross Ice | 8U Mite RWB | 10U-12U+ House | 10U Squirt | 12U Pee Wee | 14U Bantam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | Yes | ||||||
| 2018 | 5 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 2017 | 6 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 2016 | 7 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 2015 | 8 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 2014 | 9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| 2013 | 10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| 2012 | 11 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 2011 | 12 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 2010 | 13 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 2009 | 14 | Yes | Yes |
Notes on Recommended Options by Age:
Polar Caps' fees have historically been some of the lowest in the city, and having parent volunteers helps to keep costs down. In addition, the Polar Caps have financial aid available to help families on a fixed income with fees and costs.