Learn to Play

This is an introductory program for young children (at least four years old) that have little skating experience. These new players are instructed on skating fundamentals and introduced to the game of hockey with fun and engaging practices. Skaters are on the ice one session per week with nothing scheduled for holiday weekends.

• On-ice sessions focus on skill development and fun small area games.
• Typically skate on Saturday mornings starting the first Saturday of November and concluding the last weekend in February.

U6 (X-Ice)

This is a program for players ages 5-6 that have some skating experience. Skaters are on the ice up to two times each week with a practice at the Verona Ice Arena and a game each weekend at an area rink (as allowed). No games are scheduled for holiday weekends.

• Skaters ages 5-6 with some experience.
• Usually one practice each week with a game on Sundays at an area rink against local associations using a 3v3 format with no goaltenders. Games typically start in early December.
• Season begins first week of October and concludes last weekend in February.

U8 (Red, White, and Blue)

This program is for skaters ages 7-8. There are three levels (Red, White, and Blue) within the program allowing for us to provide an appropriate skill-level experience for all skaters. Skaters are on the ice up to three times per week with two practices at Verona Ice Arena and a half-ice game each weekend at a local rink (as allowed).

• Skaters ages 7-8 with little experience to several years of experience being placed on an appropriate team.
• Practices are typically twice per week with half ice games and goaltenders being played at local rinks on Sundays. Games typically start in mid-November.
• Season begins the first week in October and concludes in early March.

U10 (Squirt)

This level is generally for skaters ages 9-10. Evaluations are conducted at the beginning of the season to determine player placement on the A, B, C1, or C2 team when numbers necessitate the need for multiple teams. The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two to three weeknight practices at Verona Ice Arena and one to three games on weekends.

• Skaters ages 9-10
• Pre-season ice begins in September
• Games begin in October
• Season runs through the first week in March

U12 (PeeWee)

This level is generally for skaters ages 11-12. Evaluations are conducted at the beginning of the season to determine player placement on the A, B, C1, or C2 team when numbers necessitate the need for multiple teams. The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two to three weeknight practices at Verona Ice Arena and two to three games on weekends.

• Skaters ages 11-12 
• Pre-season ice begins in September
• Games begin in October
• Season runs through the first week in March

U12 Girls (Mavericks)

This level is for girl skaters ages 11-12. Evaluations are conducted at the beginning of the season to determine player placement on the A, B, or C team when numbers necessitate the need for multiple teams. The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two to three weeknight practices and two to three games on weekends.

• Skaters ages 11-12 
• Pre-season ice begins in September
• Games begin the first week of October
• Season runs through the first week in March

U14 (Bantam)

This level is for skaters ages 13-14. Evaluations are conducted at the beginning of the season to determine player placement on the A, B, or C team when numbers necessitate the need for multiple teams. The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two to three weeknight practices at Verona Ice Arena and two to three games on weekends.

• Skaters ages 13-14 
• Pre-season ice begins in September
• Scrimmages take place in October, with teams set shortly after
• Season runs through the end of February

U14 Girls (Mavericks)

This level is for girl skaters ages 13-14. Evaluations are conducted at the beginning of the season to determine player placement on the A, B, or C team when numbers necessitate the need for multiple teams. The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two to three weeknight practices at Verona Ice Arena and two to three games on weekends.

• Skaters ages 13-14 
• Games begin in September
• Season runs through the first week in March

U18 (Midget)

The U18 (Midget) team is for skaters age 15-18 years. The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two to three weeknight practices at Verona Ice Arena and one to two games on weekends.

• Skaters ages 15-18
• Season begins in October 
• Season runs through the beginning of March 

Verona Wildcats Youth Hockey Association and the Madison Mavericks are committed to providing opportunities for girls to play hockey and preparing them to take the next step and compete for their high school team. The new rink at Verona Ice Arena and the increasing number of girls playing hockey will allow us to create new teams and host events geared toward girls.

Who are the Madison Mavericks?

The Mavericks is an all-girls program that is housed under the Verona Wildcats Youth Hockey Association. This program is open to any girl in the greater Madison area, whose current home association does not offer an all-girls program. The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities for girls looking for a like-skilled, all-girls hockey experience. The long-term goal of the Mavericks program is to grow the game of girl’s hockey across the greater Madison area. The vision is to see multiple girls’ programs across the Madison area offering like-skilled opportunities.

What does “like-skilled” mean? In short, it means grouping skaters together according to their skills and abilities. Just as the co-ed teams evaluate and place skaters on A, B, and C teams, we aim to similarly create like-skilled teams so that everyone will have a more satisfying, competitive experience. We want to challenge every skater without frustrating them, and we want everyone to achieve as much as possible in every season. New and experienced skaters alike should find an environment to develop and compete according to their skill level.

Girls’ Opportunities by Age Level

U6/X-Ice
2018-19 birth years will participate in either our newly formed all-girls U6 team or may choose to play on a coed U6 team. Coed teams at this level are divided up equally, with no like-skill. Skaters are typically on the ice two times a week, with one practice at Verona Ice Arena and a game each weekend at a local rink. The season begins the first week of November and concludes the last week of February.

U8/Red/White/Blue
2016-17 birth year girls will participate on either our newly created all-girls U8 team or VWYHA’s coed U8 teams according to their skill level (Red, White, and Blue). Skaters are typically on the ice three times per week with two practices at Verona Ice Arena and a game each weekend at a local rink. The season begins the first week in October and concludes the first weekend in March.

Verona also hosts a U8 tournament every year in early March. All U8 girls will be eligible for and encouraged to participate in various WAHA-sponsored Girls’ Jamborees throughout the season at no extra cost. At these Jamborees, all of Verona’s U8 girls will come together to form one all-girls team to play against other associations’ all-girls teams. This format allows girls to train and develop on like-skilled co-ed teams while also enjoying the social camaraderie of the all-girls environment.

***New this 2024-2025 season! All U8 girls will also be eligible for and encouraged to participate in the Junior Lynx Program at a greatly reduced cost and commitment level. This program will be supplemental to the primary coed team, with an emphasis on recreational play and socialization.

On-ice instruction will be held once a month on Sunday night. There will be no "like-skill" component to this team, no games or scrimmages, and responsibility for development will remain with the coed teams. 

Girls in Verona as well as any nearby association will be eligible for this program. We especially welcome future Lynx high school players: those girls will eventually attend Verona Area, Madison West, Memorial, Middleton, Edgewood, Mount Horeb, and Dodgeville High Schools.

U10/Squirt
2014-15 birth year girls will participate on VWYHA’s co-ed U10 teams according to their proper skill level (A, B, C, by evaluation process). The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two weeknight practices at Verona Ice Arena and one to four games on weekends. Pre-season ice and evaluations begin in September, practices begin the first week of October, and the season runs through the first week in March.

***Back for a second season in 2024-2025!! All U10 girls will also be eligible for and encouraged to participate in the Junior Lynx Program at a greatly reduced cost and commitment level. This program will be supplemental to the primary coed team, with an objective to bring future high school teammates together with an emphasis on recreational play and socialization. On-ice instruction will be held once a week either on Friday night or Sunday night. There will be no “like-skill” component to this team, no games or scrimmages, no State Tournament, and responsibility for development will remain with the coed teams.

Girls in Verona as well as any nearby association will be eligible for this program. We especially welcome future Lynx high school players: those girls who will eventually attend Verona Area, Madison West, Memorial, Middleton, Edgewood, Mount Horeb, and Dodgeville High Schools.

U12/PeeWee
2012-13 birth year girls will have 2 options for the 2024-25 season. They may choose to participate on VWYHA’s coed U12 teams according to their proper skill level (A, B, C, by evaluation process). The number of practices and games each week can vary but generally include two weeknight practices at Verona Ice Arena and one to four games on weekends. Pre-season ice and evaluations will begin in September, practices begin the first week of October, and the season runs through the first week in March.

Alternatively, they may choose to participate on a Madison Mavericks all-girls U12 team. If numbers dictate, like-skilled A and B teams will be formed, but at this time we anticipate only one team for this level. Generally, two weeknight practices will be held either at Verona Ice Arena or a neighboring rink. Games will be scheduled against both girls and co-ed teams as available. Pre-season ice begins in September, practices begin the first week of October, and the season will run through the beginning of March. VWYHA has proposed WAHA rule changes which would enable this team to vie for the State Tournament, but at this time, we do not anticipate that this team will be eligible for the WAHA State Tournament.

***Back for a second season in 2024-2025!! In addition, all U12 girls rostered on either the coed team or the all-girls teams will also be eligible for and encouraged to participate in the Junior Lynx Program at a greatly reduced cost and commitment. This program would be supplemental to the primary coed team, with an objective to bring future high school teammates together with an emphasis on recreational play and socialization. On-ice instruction will be held once a week either on Friday night or Sunday night. There will be no “like-skill” component to this team, no games or scrimmages, no State Tournament, and responsibility for development will remain with the coed teams.

Girls in Verona as well as any nearby association will be eligible for this program. We especially welcome future Lynx high school players: those girls who will eventually attend Verona Area, Madison West, Memorial, Middleton, Edgewood, Mount Horeb, and Dodgeville High Schools.

U14/Bantam
2010-11 birth year girls may choose to play in VWYHA’s bantam program (body checking permitted according to USAHockey rules), or they may participate in the Madison Mavericks’ all-girls U14 program (no body checking permitted). Under this option, skaters will be placed on like-skilled teams according to evaluation placement. Historically, the Mavericks have fielded 3 teams at this level (A, B, and C). Generally, two weeknight practices will be held either at Verona Ice Arena or a neighboring rink. Pre-season ice and evaluations begin in mid-August and games start in September.

VWYHA has proposed WAHA rule changes which would enable these teams to vie for the State Tournament, but at this time, we do not anticipate that these teams will be eligible for the WAHA State Tournament.

The Mavericks A and B teams will compete in the Northern Illinois Hockey League and against regional girls U14 teams. The C team will compete against Wisconsin-based girls and co-ed teams.

Need More Information?

For further information on VWYHA and Mavericks programming for girls, please contact Angela Hunt, Recruitment Director.