Want to learn hockey the right way? Flyers rookie program offers best instruction for young kids

Want to learn hockey from the best?

Well, if your child is just getting to know the sport and looks like he or she wants to keep playing it, here’s a good plan.

As part of the NHL and NHLPA’s Learn to Play initiative, the Flyers Rookie Program will put more than 1,200 children ages five to nine on the ice at 14 local rinks across the Greater Philadelphia Region this season.

With the overarching goal of developing basic hockey skills in first-time players, the Flyers Rookie Program aims to build confidence and greater interest in the next generation of hockey.

Several Rookie Program sessions are set to begin on Saturday, Nov. 10 at local rinks in Aston, Pa., Northeast Philadelphia, Voorhees, N.J. and Pennsauken, N.J.

For Bucks County kids, there are programs available in Bristol and Warminster at later dates.

Each Rookie Program session includes six hour-long clinics led by certified instructors and Flyers Alumni. These clinics cover skills such as stick handling, passing, shooting, and speed development.

Participants will take the ice with head-to-toe Flyers-branded equipment included in their registration. The equipment bag comes fully stocked with an ice hockey helmet, shoulder and elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey pants, shin guards, skates, jersey, socks, and stick.

The Flyers Rookie Program welcomed 1,288 participants across 12 rinks last season. This attendance increased nearly 500 players from the year before to rank among the top of participating NHL organizations.

Date and location information for all Fall Rookie Program sessions can be found atPhiladelphiaFlyers.com/RookieProgram.