Where can I get more information about enrolling my child in playing hockey?

How old do you have to be to play hockey in Topeka?

Can girls play too?

What equipment will my child need to play hockey?

My child does not know how to skate yet, can he still play?

Where can I purchase equipment for my child to play?

Is it possible to rent equipment for my child?

Where do you play in Topeka?

Where can I get more information about enrolling my child in playing hockey?

For starters, you are in the right place!  The Topeka Youth Hockey Association operates and manages the Topeka Jr. RoadRunner program.  Please visit our contact page and feel free to contact us about youth hockey, learn to skate classes, clinics and camps, and figure skating.  We will be glad to provide you with all the information you need to get started playing hockey.

How old do you have to be to play hockey in Topeka?

The Topeka Jr. RoadRunners program is open to all children ages 4-14.  Children ages 6 and under will generally play in the Atoms Division, 7-8 will play in the Mite Division, 9-10 will play in the Squirt Division, 11-12 will play in the Pee Wee Division, and 13-14 will play in the Bantam Division.  At this time, we do not have enough children playing hockey to field a team in the Midget division, which is for children ages 15-16.  Anyone aged 15 and up that would like to play youth hockey, please contact us and we will get you in contact with organizations that field Midget programs.

Can girls play too?

Absolutely!  The Topeka Jr. RoadRunners have several girls playing right now, and girls of any age are welcome to come out and be part of our program.  We do not have any all-girls teams at this time, but as you will quickly learn, stepping onto the ice immediately transforms all boys and all girls into one thing - hockey players.

What equipment will my child need to play hockey?

Here is a list of the basic equipment needed to play hockey:  hockey skates (not figure skates), shin guards, hockey pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, a helmet, hockey socks, a jersey, hockey gloves, and a stick.

In addition to this basic equipment, it is highly recommended that all players either wear a hockey jock or Jill shorts (for girls), a neck guard, and a mouthguard (required for all players ages 13 and up).

My child does not know how to skate yet, can he still play?

Yes, no, well . . . maybe.  The Topeka Youth Hockey Association is open to all youth in this area, and any child will be able to play regardless of ability.  However, as a child gets older, it becomes more important that they be able to skate prior to playing organized games.  This is both for their own enjoyment, as well as their protection.  Children in the Atoms and Mites Divisions will probably do just fine if they start at the beginning of the season, as both of those divisions will spend a considerable amount of practice time working on basic skating skills.  A child that plans on playing at the Squirt level or above will find the game to be much more enjoyable if they have some basic ability to skate prior to playing hockey.  This does NOT mean that they need to be experts on the ice, but having the ability to at least skate around the ice a little will be very beneficial.

If your child does not know how to skate yet, please contact us about more information on learn to skate classes that are offered throughout the year.

Where can I purchase equipment for my child to play?

There are a handful of options when it comes to obtaining youth hockey equipment.

First, the TYHA has some used hockey equipment that is in very good condition.  This equipment has been donated to the TYHA and we will gladly pass it along to any child that can use it.  If you would like to donate any used equipment to the TYHA, please contact us and we will make arrangements to pick it up and make certain that it is passed along to other youth in the community.

Second, there are two stores in the Kansas City area that sell hockey equipment.  Play It Again Sports, located at 135th and Metcalf, has both used and new hockey equipment at very good prices.  Nill Bros., located at 119th and Metcalf, also sells new equipment and has a very good selection.

Third, there are several websites that sell hockey equipment online.  If you know what size of equipment you need, there can be some great deals on these websites if you watch closely enough.  A few of these sites include Dicks Sporting Goods, Hockey Monkey, Hockey Giant, and Hockey Outlet.

One word of caution when it comes to purchasing hockey skates online - with the exception of Mission brand, all hockey skates are sized differently that U.S. shoe sizes.  You generally need to purchase your hockey skates 1.5-2 sizes smaller than your shoe size.  So if you typically wear a size 3 shoe, you would need a size 1-2 hockey skate.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are three different groups of sizes for hockey equipment.  "Youth" sizes are the smallest, followed by "Junior" sizes and then "Adult" sizes.     If you accidently order a pair of "junior medium" shoulder pads for your 6 year old, instead of a pair of "youth medium" pads, it is going to be several years before he or she grows into them!

Is it possible to rent equipment for my child?

The TYHA has a limited number of sets of youth hockey equipment that can be used on a rental basis.  This equipment was purchased through the OneGoal program and will be provided at greatly reduced rates on a first come, first serve basis.  These sets of equipment have everything needed except a pair of skates and a stick, and will generally fit most kids ages 8 and under. The OneGoal rental equipment is made available through the support of Don and Barbara Stone and the NAHL RoadRunners organization.

Where do you play in Topeka?

The Topeka Jr. RoadRunners play at the Kansas Expocentre.  Please enter through the doors located on the ground level at the southeast corner of the Expocentre.