FAQS
Q: When and where is the equipment fitting?
A: All equipment will be distributed through our partner Pure Hockey. The dates, locations, and times will be communicated to you after registration in October. If you are unable to attend the in-person fitting, you can place an online order through Pure Hockey with a link we will provide.
Q: What should my child wear under the equipment?
A: We suggest wearing a long sleeve shirt under the hockey gear for warmth.
Q: Does my child need a neck guard?
A: Yes. As of August 1st, 2024, The USA Hockey Congress approved legislation requiring the use of neck laceration protection for players in all age classifications, other than adults, in games and practices, as well as for on-ice officials under the age of 18. For clarity, the requirement includes players in the youth, girls and junior age classifications. A neck guard is included in the Little Kings Registration.
Q: I received the skates, what are the next steps?
A: A good rule of thumb is to sharpen the hockey skates before your first Little Kings session. You only need to sharpen skates once a month. A local hockey rink will sharpen your skates for you. Please do not attempt this on your own.
After your sharpening, we encourage you to try out your skates at your local rink so you can get familiar with your gear and your local rink!
Q: Who will be my coach for Little Kings?
A: Each participating Little Kings rink will have a set of coaches from the rink’s In-House/Travel Hockey programs and an LA Kings Hockey Development Team coach. These coaches will be a valuable resource in your child’s hockey journey.
Q: What are the next steps after the Learn to Play?
A: After Little Kings, your rink provides programs for your player to transition to. For those that need more time to get comfortable, most rinks offer a continuation program that gets your players doing more drills that are fun and gets them more comfortable on the ice to be able to play structured games. For those more ready, all rinks have an in-house hockey league that has structured games and practices with players their age and skill level.
Once they surpass the skill level of in-house, there are several Travel Club programs throughout Southern California that will get them playing against more competitive teams in and out of state.
You will be provided with an overview of recommended next step/transition programs by your host facility/organization prior to their last Learn to Play session. For more detailed information, please consult the coaches and staff at your local rink.
Q: What is the USA Hockey Registration Fee?
A: Registration with USA Hockey is included in the Little Kings Learn to Play program of a $55 value. Should you elect to enroll in a future hockey program upon graduating from the Learn to Play Program, standard annual governing body and state affiliate fees will apply.
Q: What time should I arrive at the rink for my Learn to Play session?
A: You should arrive a minimum of 60 minutes prior to start time for your child’s first on-ice session to provide enough time for your child to check-in and get dressed before taking to the ice. After that, we recommend arriving TBD minutes prior to your scheduled start.