Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program

The Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program is designed to help players build strong foundational skating, edge work, and puck control skills. Every aspect of hockey can be traced back to a player’s ability to skate efficiently and handle the puck with confidence—these two skills form the base for all other areas of the game. Our practices and drills are structured to strengthen these fundamentals, helping players develop balance, control, and coordination while setting the stage for future skill growth.

 
NEW! Increased Practice Length: Practice length for the Mite and Girls Skills Programs have been extended to 1 hour and 15 minutes, allowing every session to finish with a scrimmage.
 
NEW! Reduced Player Maximum: We’ve reduced the maximum number of players in the Mini Mite, Mite, and Girls Only Skills Programs to 24 total (4 groups of 6 players).
 
NEW! Player Groupings: On Day 1, players will complete a basic skating timed test. Based on the results, players will be placed into four groups of six according to ability. This ensures each player trains with peers of similar skill level. Each group will run drills and skills tailored specifically to that group . Groups will not necessarily perform the same practice — each receives the training that best fits its developmental level.
 

🏒 Program Details

 

  • Schedule: Tuesdays at Holiday Rinks

    • Group #1: 4:45 – 6:00pm
    • Group #2: 6:00 – 7:15pm
    • Players may register for one or both groups (no discount for both)

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  • Dates:

    • April 14, 21, 28
    • May 5, 12, 19, 26
    • June 2, 9, 16, 23

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  • Age: 2017, 2018, 2019 Birth Years

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  • ⚠️ 2017 Birth Years: 2017 birth years are eligible for both the Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program (2017, 2018, 2019) and/or Squirt Hockey IQ Program (2015 – 2016 AAA/AA, 2017 AAA). 2017 players MUST be AAA level for the hockey IQ program. Players who are not yet at this (“AAA”) level will struggle to keep up with the group and will not benefit from the program. If that describes your player, we highly recommend our Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program , Spring/Summer Skill Sessions (pick and choose dates, times, and topics), Mite Battling & Puck Protection Program , and/or our 3 v 3 Cross-Ice Development League to focus on strengthening their skill foundation.
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    ⚠️ 2019 Birth Years: 2019 birth years are eligible for both the Mite (2017 – 2019) and/or Mini Mite (2019 – 2021) Skill & Scrimmage Programs. It is suggested that lower level/newer 2019 players sign up for the Mini Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program and that higher level/more experienced 2019 players sign up for the Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program .

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    ⚠️ No Beginners Please: These sessions are not appropriate for beginner-level players. A beginner is defined as a player who has not proficient with 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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  • Practice Format:
    Sessions focus on edge work, skating, and puck/stickhandling skills.

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

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    Looking for more ice?! Check out:

  • Mini Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program
  • NEW! Mite Battling & Puck Protection Skills Program
  • Spring/Summer Skill Sessions – pick & choose your dates, times & topics!
  • 3 v 3 Cross-Ice Development League

 

🏒 Program Cost

 

    $295 (13.75 hours ice — $21/hour)

 

🏒 Family Discounts

 

Sign up one player for this program, and that player — along with all siblings — become eligible for generous discounts on additional Mark Zarbo Hockey programs.

 

Program Discounted Price Notes
3v3 Spring League $180 Normally $205 (12% 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 $395 (12% off)
Offensive Skills & Scoring Camp $350 Normally $395 (12% off)
Mite Summer Camps $125 Normally $150 (17% off)
Skating & Edge Work Camps $125 Normally $150 (17% off)

 
NOTE: These discounts will not appear on the initial invoice generated by our system. They must be manually applied. Once we receive and review your sign-up form, we will email you to confirm the discounts and provide the updated invoice total.
 
 
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 Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program ($295), 3v3 League ($180), and 15 Skill Sessions ($18/session) receives 38.75 total hours of on-ice training — averaging just $19.22 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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2026 Spring & Summer 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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