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About GPYHA

Hockey for every level of player

Whether your child has played hockey for years or has never put on a pair of ice-skates - Greater Providence Youth Hockey Association has a place for them.

GPYHA is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and member of the Rhode Island Amateur Hockey Association (RIAHA) and an affiliate of USA Hockey. GPYHA offers from Instructional (Learn-to-Skate) Programs to Travel hockey, which provides your child an opportunity to experience the fun of playing ice hockey under the quality instruction of USA Hockey certified coaches. GPYHA also offers Rhode Island’s only Special Needs Hockey Program. 

New to the world of youth hockey?

Registered players range from 3 to 18 years old and are categorized according to their age as of December 31 of that year:

Level Player Age Tryout Required Travel Required
Learn to Skate 8 and under (8U) no no
Mites (Travel) 8 and under (8U) yes yes
Squirts (Travel) 10 and under (10U) yes yes
PeeWees (Travel) 12 and under (12U) yes yes
Bantams (Travel) 14 and under (14U) yes yes
Midgets (Travel) 18 and under (18U) yes yes
Special Hockey 4 to young adult
(with developmental disability)
no no

Learn to Skate

GPYHA Learn to Skate is held once a week from mid-October to the middle of March. Working with USA Hockey certified coaches and local high school hockey players, beginners rapidly develop basic skating skills in a fun and engaging atmosphere. Registration is open throughout the season.



Travel Hockey Program

For those who are ready to take their game to the next level, Greater Providence/Fall River Jr Bears offers Travel Hockey for Mite through Midget levels. Players are evaluated during pre-season tryout sessions and selected to play on a team with players of similar skill levels.

  • GPYHA Travel teams compete in the SCHL (South Coast Hockey League) and placed according to age and skill level in either the A, B or C division. SCHL plays a 28 game schedule with home games at Driscoll Arena in Fall River or at Brown University's Meehan Auditorium in Providence, RI and away games are played at various rinks throughout RI and SE Massachusetts.
  • Travel teams typically practice 2 to 3 times per week and play 1 to 2 games per week; ice times may vary from week to week.
  • In addition to the SCHL games, GPYHA travel teams may also participate in regional tournaments during the course of the season.
  • All GPYHA Travel coaches are certified under the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program.

Special Hockey Program

GPYHA's Special Needs Hockey Program offers Learn to Skate / Instructional Hockey for children age 4 to young adult with Down syndrome, Autism, or any other developmental disability. Ice sessions are held Saturday mornings at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.Registration is open throughout the season.


Fees and Registration

GPYHA is committed to keeping hockey fun and affordable. Visit our registration information and program fees pages for more information.