Fun, Local Hockey

Enjoy Hockey On our Youth Recreational Teams

Our Rec Teams focus on providing a fun environment for players aged 5 – 10 to develop their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. These teams are intended for players who have completed a year of our Learn to Play program, they’re less demanding than our travel teams while still offering fun practices and games.

100+ Happy Kids

7U Rec

Intended for our youngest skaters ages 5, 6, 7, this team practices with the 8U rec team once a week and participates in inter-squad games, but does not play in games against other local clubs.

Birth years 2019, 2020, 2021
Season Sept – Feb
One practice a week (Mondays)
~ 8 Inter-squad games with 8U Rec teams
All ice time is at the Skating Club of Wilmington
Tuition: $650

Serious 6 & 7 year olds should consider the 8U rec team, or 8U travel!

8U Rec

For ages 6, 7, and 8: more practices and local games for more focused players. Participates in practices and inter-squad games at the Skating Club of Wilmington, and plays against other local clubs within ~25 minutes of our rink.

Birth years 2018, 2019, 2020
Season Sept – Feb
Two practices a week (Mondays & Fridays)
~ 8 Nighthawks Inter-squad games
~ 5 additional home games
Target 5 local away games
Tuition: $750

More serious players should look at our travel teams!

10U Rec

Team for ages 9 and 10: similar to our 8U Rec team, this team practices twice a week at Wilmington Skating Club and plays against other local 10U rec teams within ~25 minutes of our rink.

Birth years 2017 & 2016
Season Sept – Feb
2 practices a week (Tuesdays & Fridays)
10 home games
Target 8 local away games
Full ice games!
Tuition: $1625

Older players should check out our Middle School team!

Season Tuition: The listed tuition is the fee paid directly to the Nighthawks. USA Hockey registration is required and additional. Nighthawks jerseys are provided.
Sibling discounts are applied at checkout. Payment plans are available during checkout.

Practice: Fun + Development

Our rec teams emphasize fun. Every player should look forward to coming to practice and games. Our volunteer coaches design practices around USA Hockey’s American Development Model – utilizing small area games to teach fundamental hockey skills through fun activities. Games like freeze tag, sharks & minnows, and Simon Says teach basic skating and are supplemented by skill-appropriate hockey-specific games. Boring drills and waiting in line are avoided!

Player-Sized Games

Games are an extension of the practice experience. Ice time is evenly distributed and puck touches are maximized by modifying the game for our youngest players.

7U & 8U games are played on half the ice surface, and each team plays with 4 skaters and a goalie. This smaller playing area and number of players increases the involvement of each player in the game – leading to more fun and more development. Coaches are typically on the ice to ensure a smooth transition into player’s first games.

At 10U, games transition to look more like traditional hockey games to prepare our older rec players for either travel or scholastic teams. 10U games are played on the full ice surface, and each team plays with 5 skaters and a goalie.