Travel

Welcome to Mound Westonka travel hockey, which includes the Squirt, PeeWee, and Bantam levels. Travel hockey is an important part of the youth hockey experience, giving players the opportunity to continue developing while becoming part of a strong local hockey community. This page explains how teams are formed, what families can expect during the season, and how the program changes as players advance.

Be sure to check MN Hockey eligibility and birth year guidelines as they are subject to change each season.

Find out who can participate, how levels are determined, and what families need to complete registration.

What grades participate in Squirt, PeeWee, and Bantam hockey?

Squirt players are typically in grades 4–5, PeeWee players are typically in grades 6–7, and Bantam players are typically in grades 8–9. Official eligibility is determined by birth date rather than grade. MN Hockey publishes updated age classifications each season, so families should consult the current age chart before registering.

How do I know which level my player should register for?

Use the current Minnesota Hockey age and participation chart to determine your player’s level. Minnesota Hockey uses a June 1 cutoff designed to align participation levels more closely with school grades. Questions about eligibility should be directed to the MWHA registrar.

Who is eligible to register with Mound Westonka Hockey Association Travel Teams?

MWHA Travel Team Players must live and attend school within the Westonka School District, ISD 277, or the Watertown-Mayer School District, ISD 111. If living in the Westonka School District, ISD 277, or the Watertown-Mayer School District, ISD 111, and you go to school in another district, you cannot waiver into that school district until you are entering your first year Squirts/10U. Anything before or after will be denied by MWHA Registrar per the guidelines of the MN Waiver Rules. 

How do I register?

Players must first register with USA Hockey and obtain a USA Hockey confirmation number. Families then complete the MWHA registration through the association website. Registration dates and payment options are announced each season.

What are the registration fees?

Registration costs vary by level and season. Travel teams may also establish a team slush fund for expenses such as non-parent coaching, coach travel, referees, or team activities.

Travel teams are formed through a series of on-ice tryout sessions designed to evaluate individual skills, competitive instincts, team play, game knowledge, effort, and sportsmanship. The goal is to place each player at the level that provides the best opportunity for continued development.

When are evaluations held?

Evaluations generally begin in late September or early October following optional preseason skills sessions. Exact dates and times are published separately for Squirt, PeeWee, and Bantam players relative to each season.

Who evaluates the players?

Tryout officials may consist of outside evaluators (non-parent), coaches, and the tryout selection committee approved by the MWHA Board. Non-parent coaches may also provide input, while the tryout selection committee reviews the results and determines team placement. Any committee member whose child is being considered must recuse themselves from the discussion and vote.

How many evaluation sessions will my player attend?

Tryouts include several on-ice sessions, usually held over one to two weeks. The number, length, and format of sessions are determined for each level and approved by the MWHA Board. Families should refer to the current tryout schedule for exact dates and times.

What happens if my player cannot attend an evaluation?

Families must notify the Tryout Coordinator of a known conflict at least 14 days before the affected session. A player may miss one tryout day, and the average of their scores from the remaining sessions will be used for the missed session. Medical restrictions are considered individually, and families should communicate medical circumstances as early as possible.

How are players assigned to A, B, or C teams?

Players are placed according to their overall performance throughout the tryout process. During the scrimmage portion, players may be assigned to A/B1, B1/B2, or B2/C evaluation pools and may move between pools when evaluators need additional information. Final placement is based primarily on tryout scores and input from evaluators and coaches.

Which team classifications will MWHA offer?

Team classifications are determined each season based on registration numbers and player evaluations. In the 2025–26 season, MWHA fielded five Squirt teams (A, B1, B2, B2, and C); three PeeWee teams (A, B1, and B2); and three Bantam teams (A, B1, and B2). The number and classification of teams may change each season.

When will team placements be announced?

MWHA intends to post team selections within 48 hours of the final tryout session. Placements will not be posted during the school day, and the association may take additional time when needed to complete the team-selection process.

Understand the season timeline, practice and game commitments, tournament expectations, and travel requirements.

How long is the travel hockey season?

Seasons are generally October through March. Preseason skills and evaluations are held mid- to late September, followed by practices, District 3 games, tournaments, and postseason play.

How many games and tournaments do teams play?

The exact schedule varies by team and season. MWHA estimates:

• Squirt: 8–15 District 3 games, three tournaments, and 40–55 practice hours
• PeeWee: 14–16 District 3 games, three tournaments, and 50–60 practice hours
• Bantam: 14–16 District 3 games, four tournaments, and 60–70 practice hours

Squirt teams are limited to 35 games, excluding district playoffs. One additional tournament may be added if funded through the team slush fund. These figures are estimates and should be updated each season.

When are schedules released?

Creating the season schedule is a complex process that involves coordinating nearly 20 association teams alongside limited ice availability, high school programs, and Warrior programs. To help ensure the best possible outcome, the Board partners with a professional scheduling service that also supports many District 3 associations.

Schedules are released in stages throughout the season as details are finalized.

• Preseason and tryout schedules are expected in July.
• Regular season schedules for the first few weeks are finalized after teams are formed through the tryout and evaluation process.

We understand how important schedules are for families and will share updates as early as possible while ensuring accuracy.

How much travel should families expect?

Teams participate in District 3 league play and scheduled tournaments. The amount and distance of travel vary by team, including overnight and out-of-state expectations.

What is the attendance expectation?

Travel players are expected to attend all practices, games, scrimmages, and dryland activities. MWHA identifies religious observances, school activities, current fall-sport commitments, illness, and family emergencies as excused absences. Holidays and family vacations are not considered excused under the published policy.

Review registration costs, team expenses, equipment requirements, volunteer expectations, and slush fund information.

What equipment does my player need?

Families provide their player’s hockey equipment. MWHA travel players are required to wear a black helmet and black breezers. Black gloves are preferred, although white, gray, or red gloves are also permitted under the published guidelines. Goalie helmets may be any color.

Are jerseys and socks provided?

MWHA is a player-paid jersey and sock association. Travel players are expected to order a new jersey and sock set each season because sponsors and assigned numbers may change. The association may subsidize part of the cost. Current pricing and ordering deadlines should be confirmed each season.

What is the Equipment Swap?

Each year, MWHA plans an annual "equipment swap". The equipment swap is a good opportunity for players looking to donate gear that no longer fits and/or to grab some gently used gear for the season ahead.

What are the volunteer requirements?

For the most recent season, families were required to complete seven volunteer credits per player, with a maximum of 14 credits per family. Team duties, such as operating the clock, completing game sheets, working the penalty box, or serving as a locker-room monitor, are separate from the standard volunteer requirement. Families should review the current volunteer policy because requirements and buyout amounts may change annually.

Are there fundraising requirements?

Yes. MWHA establishes association fundraising requirements each season.

Can players participate in another sport during hockey season?

The published attendance policy recognizes practices and games for a current fall sport as excused absences. Once that season ends, players are expected to attend all MWHA team activities.

Who should families contact with questions?

Registration, eligibility, and waiver questions should be directed to the MWHA registrar. Questions about a specific team should be directed to the team manager or head coach after teams are formed.