Mini Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program

The Mini 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! 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: Mondays, 4:45 – 6:00pm at Holiday Rinks

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  • Dates:

    • April 13, 20, 27
    • May 4, 11, 18
    • June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

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  • Age: 2019, 2020, 2021 Birth Years

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    ⚠️ 2019 Birth Years: Players born in 2019 are eligible for both the Mini Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program and Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program programs. It is recommended that lower-level or newer 2019 players register for the Mini Mite Program, while higher-level or more experienced 2019 players register for the Mite Program. This helps ensure players are grouped with others of similar ability and receive practice plans best suited to their developmental level.
     

  • ⚠️ No Beginners Please: This is NOT a beginner learn-to-skate or hockey introduction program. Players should have at least 1 – 2 years of hockey experience with a Learn to Play Program and show good ability to pay attention/follow drills. This program is not appropriate for players below this skill level.
     
    For any questions regarding player level or registration, please email mark@markzarbohockey.com.

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  • Total Practices: 11 practices → 13.75 hours of ice

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  • Maximum Players: 24 players → 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:

  • Mite Skills & Scrimmage Program
  • Spring/Summer Skill Sessions – pick your days, 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 Mini 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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