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The Monsters have certified many local youth organizations as official Learn to Play Programs. These youth hockey programs are designed to familarize your kiddo with the sport of hockey through official sport coaching, programming, and equipment guides.

Each of these programs are typically offered to kids ages 4-8 with some other select programming offered to kids ages 9 and above.

Learn to Play programs are the first step in learning the game of hockey. After “graduating” from Learn to Play, your player begin moving toward more competitive stages of hockey in the 8U (Mite) program or the 10U (squirt) program of the Cleveland Suburban Hockey League (CSHL). The CSHL is the only hockey league of its kind in NE Ohio with almost every rink in the area fielding a CSHL program.

Try Hockey for Free With The Monsters

Tour with the Monsters presented by University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute includes a one hour practice open to the public at local rinks.

Fans are invited to participate in a special 30-minute open skate and autograph session after watching the Monsters practice at both events. Both Tour with the Monsters stops are free and open to the public.  

Monday, October 28, 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

  • Host: Parma Hockey Association
  • Michael A. Ries Ice Rink, 5000 Forestwood Dr, Parma, OH 44134

Tuesday, November 19, 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

  • Host: Cleveland Heights Youth Hockey
  • Pavilion Skating Club of Cleveland Heights, 1 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Stops on the Tour with the Monsters will be at the arena of an official Learn to Play partner of the Cleveland Monsters.

*Ice skates rentals do have a fee typically at the rinks.

The Youth Hockey Process

Many LTP programs across Northeast Ohio follow this process for teaching the game of hockey:

  • Learn to Play program (ages 4-8) for one year

  • 8U (Mite) Blue Travel Hockey

    --Station-based practices/curriculum similar to Learn to Play, but now featuring other area teams to play against

  • 8U (Mite) White Travel Hockey

    --Some players will graduate Learn to Play and go straight to Mite White, the second stage of 8U hockey

    --Station-based practices are still taking place, but more-advanced area competition and additional scheduled games

  • 8U (Mite) Red Travel Hockey

    --This is the last stage of Mite hockey and most competitive stage of 8U

    --Almost exclusively set for 7 and 8 year olds to compete, can feature select full-ice hockey games as well

  • 10U (Squirt) Travel Hockey

    --Depending on age after graduation from LTP, your player may advance to 10U hockey

    --Each CSHL association will feature various skill level teams

After graduating from a Mite program, placement on an appropriate skill-level team will follow

Find a certified Learn to Play Program near you:

Program Rink City Phone Number
Brooklyn Youth Hockey John M. Coyne Recreation Center Brooklyn (216) 635-4284
Brunswick Auto Mart Arena Learn to Play Brunswick Auto Mart Arena Strongsville (440) 268-2800
Canton-Akron Hockey Association Center Ice Sports Complex North Canton (330) 966-0169
Cleveland Heights Youth Hockey Cleveland Heights Community Center Cleveland Heights (216) 691-7373
Elyria Panthers Hockey North Park Ice Rink Elyria (440) 326-1500
Geauga Maple Leafs Youth Hockey The Pond Chagrin Falls (440) 543-3884
Gilmour Youth Hockey Gilmour Ice Academy Gates Mills (440) 473-8000
Lake Erie Panthers Youth Hockey C.E. Orr Arena Euclid (216) 289-2700
Learn to Play Hockey at Kent Kent State Ice Arena Kent (330) 672-4732
Mentor Youth Hockey Mentor Civic Arena Mentor (440) 974-5730
North Olmsted Hockey Club North Olmsted Recreation Center North Olmsted (440) 734-8200
Parma Hockey Association Michael A. Ries Rink Parma (216) 885-8870
Shaker Youth Hockey Association City of Shaker Heights Recreation Department Shaker Heights (216) 491-1295
Starter Hockey Program at The Pond The Pond Chagrin Falls (440) 543-3884
Wooster Alice Noble Ice Arena Wooster (330) 345-8686