Mite Battling & Puck Protection Program

NEW! The Mite Battling & Puck Protection Program is new this spring! The purpose of this program is to introduce basic, age-appropriate body contact, battling, and puck protection skills. Once players have developed a strong foundation in skating, the next key step in their progression is learning how to battle for and protect the puck.

🏒 Program Details

 

  • Schedule: Thursdays, 4:15 – 5:30pm at Holiday Rinks
     

  • Dates:

    • April 16, 23, 30
    • May 7, 14, 21, 28
    • June 4, 11, 18, 25

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  • Age: 2017, 2018, 2019 Birth Years

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    ⚠️ Eligibility: Players should already possess a strong foundation of skating and puck skills. Those who are not yet strong in basic skating skills such as stops and starts, crossovers, tight turns, puck control, and edge work will likely struggle to keep up and compete effectively. For those players we suggest looking at our Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program and/or our Spring & Summer Skill Sessions to strengthen their skills foundation.
     
    ⚠️ No Beginners Please: These sessions are not appropriate for beginner-level players. A beginner is defined as a player who has not yet mastered the basic skating skills of stops/starts, crossovers, tight turns, backward skating, basic puck control, and basic edge work. We assume all participants can perform these fundamental skills, as all practices and sessions are designed with this in mind. For any questions regarding player level or registration, please email mark@markzarbohockey.com.

     

  • Total Practices: 11 practices → 13.75 hours of ice

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  • Maximum Players: 24 → 4 groups, 6 players → Jersey is provided

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  • Player Groupings: On Day 1, players will complete a basic skating timed test. Based on results, players will be grouped into 4 groups of 6 according to ability. This ensures each player trains with peers closest to their skill level.

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  • Practice Format:
    Sessions focus on age-appropriate body contact, battling, and puck protection skills.

    • 50–60 minutes of skill development
    • ~15 minutes of 3v3 scrimmage

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  • NOTE: 2020–2021 Birth Years see our Mini Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program
     
    Looking for a second day of ice?!: Check out our Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program

 

🏒 Program Cost

 

    $285 (13.75 hours ice — $20/hour)

 

🏒 Family Discounts

 

Sign up for this program and your entire family is eligible for generous discounts on other Mark Zarbo Hockey programs:

 

Program Discounted Price Notes
3v3 Spring League $180 Normally $205 (10% off)
Spring & Summer Skill Sessions (Wed & Sun) $18/session Normally $25 (28% off)
Body Contact, Battling & Checking Camps $125 Normally $150 (17% off)
Squirt & Peewee Defense Camps $350 Normally $385 (10% off)
Offensive Skills & Scoring Camp $350 Normally $385 (10% off)
Mite Summer Camps $125 Normally $150 (17% off)
Skating & Edge Work Camps $125 Normally $150 (17% off)

 
Build Your Own Personalized Spring–Summer Program

At Mark Zarbo Hockey, our mission is to provide players of all ages and skill levels with:

  • Comprehensive training opportunities
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Affordable pricing and incentives
  • Best-in-class coaching

No other program in the WNY/Buffalo area combines all of these at this level.

 

Example:
A player registered for the Mini Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program ($285), 3v3 League ($180), and 15 Skill Sessions ($18/session) receives 38.75 total hours of on-ice training — averaging just $18.96 per hour ice!

 

🏒 Goalies

 

This program is for players only.
 
Goalies — please visit Bob Janosz’s website for goalie-specific training programs.

 

🏒 Full Season Schedule

 

Below is the full spring and summer calendar, NOT the currently available sessions. Sign-up form will list all currently available sessions for each program.

 

🏒 Payment Policies

 
To secure your spot(s), payments must be received by the dates listed below. Any payments not received by the specified deadlines may result in spot cancellation.
 

  • All Spring Ice (April – June): due in full by March 13th
  • All Summer Ice (July – August): due in full by June 1st

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    Venmo: Username: @Mark-Zarbo (3724) –> Preferred method of payment.
     
    Cash: Cash payments are accepted but must be received by March 13th.
     
    Personal Checks: Mail too address
     
    Mark Zarbo Hockey
    PO Box 41
    Grand Island, NY 14072
     
    Bank Checks: Set up Mark Zarbo Hockey with your bank’s bill pay system
     
    Mark Zarbo Hockey
    PO Box 41
    Grand Island, NY 14072
    Phone: 716-208-3724
     
    Credit Card:If you prefer to pay by credit card, please email mark@markzarbohockey.com to request a payment link.
     
    Note: A 2.99% + $0.30 processing fee applies to credit card transactions (this is the exact cost of the service). There is no fee for cash or check payments.

 

🏒 Spring & Summer Cancellation Policies

 

Spring Programs (April – June) Last Day To Cancel: March 13th
 

Summer Programs (July – August) Last Day To Cancel: June 1st

 

After specified dates credits will only be issued if we are able to find a replacement player to fill the spot. Once the program has started the roster is frozen and no refunds or credits will be issued.

 
Players are always welcome (and encouraged) to find their own replacement. Please notify Mark Zarbo Hockey of any substitutions. Applies to all cancellations, including sickness or injury.
 

🏒 How Do I Sign Up for Programs?

 

To sign up, please complete the form below. Sign-ups are ONLY accepted through this form.

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Step 1: Fill out parent/guardian contact information.

Step 2: Select the number of players you wish to register. The corresponding number of player sign-up forms will appear.

Step 3: Complete each player’s information.

Step 4: Check the box next to each program you want the player to attend. Additional instructions or fields for each program will appear—follow these to complete the sign-up.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 3–4 for each additional player.

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After submitting the form, you will be redirected to a page to complete the liability waiver. You will also receive an email receipt containing:

  • A copy of your sign-up
  • Invoice and payment information
  • Confirmation email is sent automatically as soon as sign up is submitted, check SPAM/Junk folders if not received right after form submitted

 

⚠️  IMPORTANT: Double-check, save, and print the confirmation for your records. You are responsible for all dates signed up for.

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Tip: You can register multiple players and for multiple programs on a single form—no need to complete separate forms for each player or program.

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Press Submit 1x Only:  Once you are finished with your form press the submit button only 1x.  Please give our system a second to load your form.  If you press the submit button more than once it will cause a submission failure.

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2025 - 26 Fall & Winter Sign Up Form

Review your sign-up form before submitting. After submitting you will receive an emailed copy of your form as a receipt. Save or print this email for your records. Check SPAM/Junk folder if email receipt not received within 1 - 2 minutes of submission.

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After selecting number of players, the signup forms for each player will appear.


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