West Madison Youth Hockey Association

After all the time and energy we invest throughout the youth hockey experience it seems that life after Bantams can get a little cumbersome.  In Wisconsin we push those of our skaters who are able to do so to play high school, leaving many skaters in a position that if they don't make high school there isn't a clear path for continuing to play.   This is especially difficult when your skater's high school does not offer JV level hockey.  The jump to Varsity as a freshman is difficult. 

For several years now we have tried to create a JV-like experience for our Polarcap skaters that find themselves not ready for high school but too old for Bantams.  Once again this year, however, we find ourselves unable to field a team given our numbers at this level.  Memorial high school has already indicated that their numbers are so low that they will likely take all candidates that wish to play.  We have also lost a number of second year Bantams to the Capitals, leaving our numbers even lower and pulling freshman skaters who could have played on the HS Development team (our name for JV) to other venues.  Such is the world of hockey. 

While I firmly believe that our strong recruiting after this year's freshman class will change the landscape of hockey in future years, we aren't there yet.  The best possible option for our club in the given circumstances is to leave all of our Bantams at the Bantam level and combine our Midget-aged skaters with Southwest's Midget program as we did last year.  I think the families who partiicpated in hockey with Mike OBrien with Southwest last year would have many positive things to say about the experience their kids had. 

Mike and I have been in contact and he informs me that his team will take the ice for the first time on 10/11/11 at 7:40pm at ENIA.  All interested Midgets should attend and skate.  PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE YOUR SKATER REGISTERED WITH USA HOCKEY BEFORE TAKING THE ICE.  You can feel free to register with the Polarcaps through our website--any monies paid to us can be transferred directly to SW if you choose to skate there.  If your skater is trying out for high school hockey you have the option of making a partial payment until you know if your skater is given a spot on the HS team. 

You do not need a release to play with Southwest if you are midget-age.  We will not be fielding a team at this clasification and therefore you may go where you choose.  Mike has told me that they will also be accepting some skaters from Stoughton and so we will not be applying for a co-op.  The SW team will be classified as a HS2 team as they were last year. 

Midgets are welcome to attend Polarcap preseason ice with the Bantams until October 11th.

If you have questions please don't hesitate to contact me.