About Us
The Wyoming Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) is the governing body for the sport of hockey in the State of Wyoming. As a sanctioned member of USA Hockey, WAHA subscribes to the rules, regulations and philosophy of USA Hockey. As such, its mission is to promote the growth of hockey in Wyoming and provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. With a membership of more than 3000 ice hockey players, coaches, and volunteers, the Wyoming Amateur Hockey Association’s primary emphasis is on the support and development of grassroots hockey programs, and is comprised of multiple youth and adult hockey programs throughout the state of Wyoming.
TEAM WYOMING
Wyoming Amateur Hockey Association provides the opportunity for Wyoming players to play at a higher level of competition than their home association. We offer teams in the Boys 18U, 16U, 14U and 12U, and Girls 19U/HS, 16U, 14U and 12U. Team Wyoming (TW) Teams have an open tryout typically in April for the coming fall season. At the tryout, Players are assigned colored jerseys with numbers. To select players, evaluators only have the jersey numbers and no associated name to insure a non-biased evaluation of a player’s talent.
Practices start as early as May/June and games commence in August or September to allow teams to play before the Wyoming Amateur Hockey League (WAHL) season starts in November. Then further TW games are typically scheduled during holiday weekends to avoid conflicts with the WAHL League schedule. Because TW players are from all over the state, it is very difficult to schedule practices. Therefore, TW players are expected to practice and play games with their home association in the WAHL League to improve their hockey skills throughout the season. TW teams travel to games and tournaments in the Rocky Mountain region and usually play at the AA level.
USA Hockey hosts a National Tier II Tournament in April for 18U, 16U, 14U, Girls 14U, Girls 16U and Girls 19U age groups. Wyoming 18U, 16U and 14U have the option of attending the Tier II National Tournament and must declare their intention to attend the National Tournament in October. Each player must play in a minimum of 10 of the 20 team games to qualify to attend the USA Hockey Tier II National Tournament.
Team Wyoming Girls must play a minimum of 10 of the 14 team games. The Girls teams must participate in a Northern Plains District "Play In" Tournament against teams from North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana to qualify for the USA Hockey Tier II National Tournament. TW Girls must also declare their intent to participate in Tier II play in October.
Cost
The cost of playing on a TW team varies between $500 and $2000 depending on how many tournaments are agreed upon by the parents. Coaches are reimbursed for their traveling expenses (hotel, gas and food). In addition, jerseys, socks and team warm ups are extra. The cost of a player’s travel (hotel, gas and food) is paid by the player’s parents.
For more information, contact the Wyoming Player Development Director.
Player Development Camp (PDC)
The WAHA Player Development Camp (WAHA PDC) is held each year following the conclusion of the WAHA hockey season. The objective of the Player Development Camp is to provide players across the state an affordable post-season hockey camp with the best available coaches both on and off the ice. The camp will focus on building and continuing to develop the fundamental hockey skills (skating, passing, shooting, etc.). There are no limitations on skill ability and all players registered with USA Hockey are encouraged to attend.
At the conclusion of the camp, some players may be chosen to advance to a Northern Plains Player Development Camp. If this is the case, players will be selected at the WAHA PDC and notified post-camp by a representative of the district camp. There may also be other opportunities available such as Multi-District and Regional Player Development Camps and players MUST attend the WAHA PDC in order to be eligible for these additional opportunities.
At the Wyoming Player Development Camp there are four total ice sessions, however, and an extra 30-minute goalie session. The price for the camp $180 per participant, and each participant will get their own WAHA – Player Development Jersey and socks.
The Wyoming Player Development Camp, is a wonderful opportunity for players not only to enhance their hockey ability and knowledge, but also meet new people from around the state and build lifelong friendships. It is also a great place to be seen by scouts and coaches of higher levels.
Northern Plains District Player Development Camp
The Northern Plains District Player Development Camp will be held May 16th- 19th, 2024 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. If your player is selected, you will receive an email with further camp information as well as a link to register.