2024-2025 Program registration inforamtion coming soon!
Our program is in the process of transition from SportsEngine to DaySmart to provide a more user friendly platform to register. Please be patient as we make this transition.
The Billings Amateur Hockey League offered a variety of hockey programs for youth of all ages.
We recommend that all new participants begin their hockey journey in our Learn To Skate Program (ages 4+). Upon completing LTS, skaters are invited to register for our Learn To Play Hockey Program( ages 4-11). See below for more information about our programs.
LEarn To Skate (Ages 4+)
Learn to Skate is a great way for aspiring hockey players to experience ice skating in a fun and safe environment, as well as give more advanced skaters an opportunity to improve their skills. These classes are designed for skaters of all abilities, from those just learning to stand on the ice to skaters that wish to advance their skills such as stopping and turning, as well as more advanced hockey skating skills.
- This is a 6-week program
- All participants will receive 30 minutes of group instruction per week.
- Children must be at least 4 years of age to participate.
- The cost per 6-week session is $90. Skaters will also need to register with USA Hockey and pay the once a year membership fee that varies by birth year.
LEarn To Play (ages 4-11)
The Learn to Play program is for boys and girls aged 4-12 years of age who wish to learn to play hockey. Hockey skills are the focus of these sessions, therefore it is REQUIRED that your skater pass LTS basic 3 before participating in the LTP program.
- This is a 6-week program
- Players must be 4 years old to participate in LTP.
- Rental gear is available for use with payment of a refundable deposit.
- LTP participants will receive 1 hour of ice per week
- The cost per 6-week session is $90. Skaters will also need to register with USA Hockey and pay he once a year membership fee that varies by birth year.
- Players are encouraged to do more than one 6-week session before moving on to a team.
Mite Program (Ages 4-8)
A. Objective:
Provide a SAFE, FUN, & EDUCATIONAL environment utilizing USA Hockey’s ADM for age-appropriate practices and games within our resources. The termite/mite program is intended to provide skaters with an equal opportunity to enjoy the game of hockey and to develop personal and team cooperation skills. Although games are a necessary measure of achievement of team goals, in no case shall the desire to win on the part of the coaches or players overshadow or change the fair and equitable ice time opportunity for all players, regardless of ability.
B. Structure:
A minimum of 2 hours of on-ice sessions per week. 3:1 practice to game ratio. Games will be played cross-ice and/or half-ice at the coaches discretion. Games will be played in house with set rosters for house league games, but that may change if coaches deem necessary.
C. Season:
The 6/8U Program will run in two seasons.
- Session one will begin in October and conclude in December
- Season two will begin in January and conclude in March
D. Fees:
Registration fee will be available by June 1st, 2024
F. Travel:
The 6/8U division is designed to provide a recreational experience with limited cost. If however, a team would like to travel and such travel is supported by enough players, parents, and coaches, then that team may travel. Travel will be open to all players and advertised so all who wish can participate. The head coach along with assistant coaches will divide players into equally skilled teams if there are enough players for more than one team. This division is encouraged to limit tournament participation. Occasional 1-day scrimmages with outlying communities are also encouraged. Travel will be approved by the BAHL Director. All fees and expenses for travel, including tournament entry fees will be the responsibility of the team and it’s participants.
House Program (Ages 8-12)
A. Objective:
Provide skaters with an equal opportunity to enjoy the game of hockey without the financial obligations that travel hockey requires. The MCYHP will focus on development through use of USA Hockey’s ADM, with qualified coaches who have a passion for the game.
B. Structure:
The MCYHP will have a minimum of 2 ice sessions per week. Games will be played in half-ice format. Games will be played in-house with set rosters that may change over the course of the season if coaches feel it is necessary in order to keep things equitable.
C. Season:
The MCYHP will run in two seasons.
- Session one will begin in October and conclude in December
- Season two will begin in January and conclude in March
D. Travel:
While there will be no overnight travel for the MCYHP, the league may schedule games that require limited day-trip travel to nearby communities such as Bozeman, Cody, Red Lodge, and Lewiston.
E. Equipment and Uniforms:
Jersey’s and socks will be provided. Full gear is required for all practices and games. This includes a helmet with a full cage, gloves, shin pads, chest pad, elbow pads, mouth guard, neck guard and protective cup. Rental gear is available for $50 per session, on a first come first serve basis.
F. Fees:
Registration fee will be available June 1st, 2024.
TRAVEL HOCKEY (Ages 10-18)
The Montana Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) (mthockey.com) is the governing body of amateur youth hockey in the state of Montana. MAHA sponsors the Treasure State League (TSL). The TSL is made up of the Montana High School League(MTHS), Big Sky High School League (BSHS), 14U, 12U, 10U, and girls divisions at age levels that are still TBD. All BAHL travel teams participate in the TSL. All costs associated with TSL are in addition to BAHL registration fees. Teams are encouraged to seek out sponsors to help off-set the additional costs. Please see your team manager for our team sponsor flyer.
A. Objective:
Provide an opportunity for players to advance into a more competitive environment where the focus will shift to an emphasis on competition. Multiple competitive teams in an age group will be dependent on registration numbers.
B. Structure:
- BAHL travel team structure will follow the recommendations of USA Hockey to the best of our ability. Given the variability of Billings youth hockey, travel teams will be formed based on registration numbers and SPRING player evaluations. Teams will be decided by the coaches at each age level with input from the BAHL Director and Coaching Director.
- Travel teams will not compete against our House Program teams.
- Players are required to attend SPRING evaluations to be placed on a team prior to the fall. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the BAHL Director with input from the Coaching Director and coaches at each age level.
- All travel teams will have a minimum of 2 practices per week.
- Additional games and/or tournaments outside of TSL may be scheduled at the coaches’ and managers’ discretion.
- All travel fees, including but not limited to TSL fees, tournament entry fees, hotels, gas, food, and coaches’ travel expenses will be the responsibility of the team.
- Non-Parent coaches are an asset to our travel program. When traveling to games, each team is responsible for the lodging and travel expenses of the non-parent coaches. This is not included in the BAHL registration fee.
C. BAHL Registration Costs:
Registration fees will be available June 1st, 2024
D. Team Composition/ Rosters
Roster sizes will be determined by coaches with input from the League Director and Coaching Director. Roster sizes and teams may vary from age group to age group. When there are enough players registered in a particular age group for more than 1 team, player evaluations will be used to split kids into multiple teams, and teams will be placed in the TSL division that coaches, with input from the BAHL Directors and Coaching Director, feel is best for the collective team. In the event that there are not enough kids to safely roster a team, players will be invited to participate in our House Program. Players can be added or deleted from a team anytime before December 31st for MAHA and Tier teams. All additions and deletions to team rosters must be submitted to the BAHL Director, per guidelines above, and approved by the head coach. All roster changes must be submitted to the State Registrar by the BAHL Director a minimum of 14 days prior to a team playing with intended changes.
*Due to TSL deadlines for submitting teams, the deadline to register for the travel program is August 15th. Exceptions to this rule will be at the discretion of the BAHL Director.
*All teams will be rostered in accordance with requirements of USA Hockey and MAHA. For additional information on team and player rostering procedures and rules, refer to the most current USA Hockey Annual Guide.
E. Coaching Fees
A rostered head coach and up to one assistant coach without a player on the team will receive $100 per day for travel weekends outside of TSL games. This can be used for gas and food. Additionally, their hotel costs will be covered. All coaching fees will be the responsibility of the team and must be stipulated by the Team Manger at the beginning of the season.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Girls hockey is one of the fastest growing youth sports in the United States. The BAHL is committed to providing a place for girls to develop and succeed regardless of their skill level. In addition to the house and travel co-ed teams, girls will have the opportunity to participate in a weekly girls-only practice, and may be rostered on an all-girls team in addition to their co-ed teams, when we have enough girls to register a team.
The MAHA Treasure State League (TSL) plans to include a 14U and 19U girls’ divisions for the 2024-25 season. The BAHL will roster teams in any and all divisions in which they have enough girls to roster a team. These teams may include girl’s from outside our organization in order to have enough players for a team. Our BAHL players will always be given priority in the event that roster spots become limited. All BAHL travel teams participate in the TSL. All costs associated with TSL are in addition to BAHL registration fees.
A. Objective:
Provide an opportunity for girls to advance their hockey skills in an environment that fosters development, social interactions, personal growth.
B. Structure:
- BAHL girls’ team structure will follow the recommendations of USA Hockey to the best of our ability. Given the variability of Billings youth hockey, travel teams will be formed based on registration numbers . Teams will be decided by the coaches at each age level with input from the BAHL Director and Coaching Director.
- Players are required to register for the girls’ program in order to participate in any on-ice activity including practices and games.
- Additional games and/or tournaments outside of TSL may be scheduled at the coaches and managers discretion.
- All travel fees, including but not limited to TSL fees, tournament entry fees, hotels, gas, food, and coaches travel expenses will be the responsibility of the team.
- Non-Parent coaches are an asset to our travel program. When traveling to games, each team is responsible for the lodging and travel expenses of the non-parent coaches. This is not included in the BAHL registration fee.
C. BAHL Girls Hockey Registration Costs:
Registration fees will be available June 1st, 2024.
D. Team Composition/ Rosters
Roster sizes and age division declarations will be determined by coaches with input from the League Director and Coaching Director. Roster sizes and teams may vary from age group to age group. In the event that there are not enough kids to safely roster a team, players will be invited to participate in our weekly girls practice. Players can be added or deleted from a team anytime before December 31st for MAHA and Tier teams. All additions and deletions to team rosters must be submitted to the BAHL Director, per guidelines above, and approved by the head coach. All roster changes must be submitted to the State Registrar by the BAHL Director a minimum of 14 days prior to a team playing with intended changes.
*Due to TSL deadlines for submitting teams, the deadline to register for the travel program is August 15th. Exceptions to this rule will be at the discretion of the BAHL Director.
*All teams will be rostered in accordance with requirements of USA Hockey and MAHA. For additional information on team and player rostering procedures and rules, refer to the most current USA Hockey Annual Guide.
E. Coaching Fees
A rostered head coach and up to one assistant coach without a player on the team will receive $100 per day for travel weekends. This can be used for gas and food. Additionally, their hotel costs will be covered. All coaching fees will be the responsibility of the team and must be stipulated by the Team Manger at the beginning of the season.