In-House Development
New to Skating?
If your child has never skated before, Learn to Skate is the perfect first step in their hockey journey.
Already completed Learn to Skate?
Then it’s time to move up to Learn to Play! WYHA offers two great options: our partnership program with the Rangers and our in-house development team, the Junior Red Wings. Both are designed to help new skaters build confidence and develop the skills they need to start playing the game of hockey.
Learn to Skate - Fall 2025 - OPEN!
If your child has never skated before, Learn to Skate is the first step in their hockey journey. The focus and goal of the Learn to Skate program is to teach beginner hockey players the fundamentals of skating.
The Learn to Skate program is open to anyone who has not previously participated in our Learn to Skate, Learn to Play program with the New York Rangers, Junior Red Wings, or in travel programs.
When
Tentative Dates- Sundays 9/21- 10/21 9:15-10 am
Where
Taft School, Watertown CT
Cost
$25.00 - Our Learn to Skate program is made possible by the Tyler Palmer Memorial Fund
Equipment Needed
Skates, helmet, gloves
Register
Click the "Register" button to the right (if on a computer) or at the bottom (if on a phone) to register.
Questions regarding Our Learn to Skate Program
Registrar@watertownredwings.com
Learn to Play with the Rangers 2025 - OPEN!!
Developed with the help of experts from USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, the Learn to Play initiative aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play with the Rangers changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing head-to-toe equipment (for first time participants only), weekly sessions of age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching, led by National Hockey League Alumni, in a fun and safe atmosphere. Learn to Play on-ice instruction plans have been developed in collaboration with experts from USA Hockey and Hockey Canada and taught by certified instructors and led by National Hockey League Alumni. Created jointly by the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL), Learn to Play’s goal is to inspire youth and welcome more families into the hockey community.
When
The program is 10 weeks long
Sundays 10/19-12/21 9:15-10:15am.
Where
Taft School, Watertown CT
Cost
$350 (+3% processing fee), payable to the New York Rangers through their registration link
Equipment Needed
Will be provided upon registration with the Rangers (if a first time participant). Must have full hockey equipment such as hockey skates, hockey gloves, chest pad, hockey pants, and hockey helmet.
Register
You must register in two places for this program in order to participate. We need your free registration on our website so we can ensure that we can get you in our system, but you MUST also register officially on the NY Rangers website. If you are not registered on the NY Rangers site, you will not be able to participate.
- First, register on our website to gain access to the program. Click the "Register" button to the right (if on a computer) or at the bottom (if on a phone) to register.
- Next, register for the NY Rangers program using the link below:
Junior Red Wings- Registration is OPEN
The Junior Red Wings are WYHA's in-house development team and the next step after a learn to skate/play program has been completed. Junior Red Wings are split into mini teams and learn to play the game of hockey through skating skills practices and cross ice scrimmages against each other. Ages range from 4 and up. After a season of Junior Red Wings, skaters then attend tryouts for the appropriate age level team for the following season (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U)
Junior Red Wings will typically skate one skills session per week and play cross ice developmental games one day per weekend.
When
The Junior Red Wings program will take place from the end of September through the end of February.
Those who participate in our Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs will have the opportunity to join the Junior Red Wings program from the beginning of January through the end of February. Participants of the Learn to Play program are encouraged to continue with this program after completion of the Learn to Play sessions.
Where
Taft School, Watertown CT
Cost
Junior Red Wings: $650.00
Junior Red Wings add-on after LTS/LTP: $250.00
Equipment Needed
Full hockey equipment is required.
Register
Click the "Register" button to the right (if on a computer) or at the bottom (if on a phone) to register.
Questions regarding Our Learn to Skate Program
Registrar@watertownredwings.com
2025-2026
Registration for Junior Red Wings and the Fall sessions of Learn to Skate is OPEN
USA HOCKEY NUMBERS REQUIRED
Please note that before registering for our Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, or Junior Red Wings programs, you need to register with USA Hockey. This is for insurance purposes. A small fee may apply depending on age. This is a USA Hockey fee -- not a Watertown Youth Hockey fee. You will need your USA Hockey number to register for our program and will be prompted with a link for upon registration.
Register