We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a 7U Development Team (2019 – 2020) for the 2026–2027 season. See below for summary of team details and a link to our presentation.
🏒 Team Purpose
The goal of this team is to continue building strong foundational skills while preparing players for full-ice team play in future seasons. This is a skills & development first program.
Team Goals:
- Continued development of foundational skating and puck control skills
- Improving puck protection and battling skills
- Introducing passing and basic team play concepts
- Ready for full ice play in future seasons
🏒 Team Basics
- September – March
- ~4 ice times per week (4–5.5 hours/week)
- ~130 total ice hours
- 2 – 4 local Jamborees
- Estimated ~30 – 40 games between half ice league, jamborees & scrimmages
- 16 players, 2 goalies (split into two teams of 8 players and 1 goalie for game play)
- Skills evaluation and testing tracked through out the season
- Local play only. This team will not travel.
🏒 Schedule Overview
- Mondays & Wednesdays: 5:00–6:00pm @ Hyde Park
- Saturdays: 9:30–11:30am @ Hyde Park
- Sundays (Sept–Nov): Time TBD @ Riverside Rink
- Sundays (Dec–March): Half-Ice League Games (schedule TBD)
- Jamboree & Exhibition Scrimmages: TBD
PRACTICE TIMES
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE
September: 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30
October: 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28
November: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 30
December: 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20
January: 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 31
February: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28
March: 1, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28
NO ICE: Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Halloween Day, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, MLK Day, February Break
NOTE: Dates are subject to change. This is an estimated schedule. We hope to have the exact confirmed schedule prior to season’s start
🏒 Team History & Spot Availability
For the past two seasons, we have hosted a Foundational Skills Development Program focused on building strong skating and puck-handling fundamentals.
From this group, we currently have 10 players (2019–2020 birth years) who are now ready to transition into a team environment.
To complete the roster, we are looking to add 6 additional players and 2 goalies who are a good fit with the current group. In total the group is 16 players & 2 goalies that will be split into 8 players & 1 goalie for half ice league and game play.
🏒 Coaching Staff
- Head Practice Instructor & Team Director: Mark Zarbo
- Assistant Coaches: Parent Coaches, message if interested
- Goalie Coach: Janosz Goaltending Instructor (20 hours ice of instruction)
- Half Ice League Team A Games Coach: TBD
- Half Ice League Team B Games Coach: Mark Zarbo
🏒 Janosz Goaltending Coach
As part of the goalie tuition, a Janosz Goaltending coach will be present for 20 hours of practices throughout the season (~3 hours per month).
Janosz Goaltending will also provide a season-long development plan for the goalies. This plan will be followed during practices when a Janosz coach is not present, ensuring the goalies receive consistent and continuous development for the entire season.
🏒 Who Is It For?
-
2019 – 2020 Birth Years –> 7U
-
Players who:
- Show passion for hockey
- Can follow instructions and participate in drills
- Already possess a strong foundation of skating & puck skills
⚠️ What do we mean by strong foundation of skating & puck skills?
Players should already be able to perform well the basic skills of crossovers, 2-foot hockey stops, 2-foot tight turns, skate backwards, stickhandle and controls puck very well. Players below this level of ability should look at our Full Season Foundational Skills Program!
🏒 Presentation
We highly recommend watching the 7u Development Team Presentation below. It explains team’s background, purpose, goals, weekly structure, and who best fits.
🏒 Team Cost
Estimated Cost is $1975 –> $15/hour ice (~130 total hours ice)
NOTE: This is an estimated high-end cost for the team. The total cost will not be more than $1975 for the season for all details stated. This includes practice ice, league fee, practice jerseys, game jerseys/socks, 2 – 4 local Jamborees. This does not include any fundraising or sponsorships efforts. Once exact pricing/costs and fundraising efforts applied we expect fee to go down.
USA Hockey & AAU Insurance: The only required cost not included in the estimated is all players will be required to register with USA Hockey and AAU. Both are ~$22 each. These are required for players to participate in the 1/2 ice league and other events.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Due at time of signing: $300 Non-Refundable deposit
June 1st: $500
August 1st: $500
October 1st: $660 or remaining balance
FUNDARASING EFFORTS
Mark Zarbo Hockey will not be leading or organizing any formal fundraising efforts.
If individual players or the group choose to pursue fundraising or team sponsorships, they are welcome to do so. If any questions regarding this do not hesitate to ask.
🏒 Interested in Our Team?!
If interested and you think your player would be a good fit for our team please contact Mark@MarkZarboHockey.com for further information.