Sidney Crosby's Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey

About

Sidney Crosby's Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey is an introductory program for children ages 5 to 9 to learn the fundamental skills of hockey in a fun and safe environment. The program consists of eight to ten sessions of on-ice instruction by certified coaches. Little Penguins participants will receive head-to-toe equipment, a monthly newsletter with exclusive content, discounts on Penguins tickets, exclusive program rewards at Penguins games, special event opportunities, as well as a welcome packet and gift. The Little Penguins program is presented by the NHL and NHLPA with the support of Crosby, DICK'S Sporting Goods and USA Hockey. The Learn to Play program began in Pittsburgh in 2008 and has since become a league-wide initiative for the NHL.

Registration Information

  • There are three sessions of the Little Penguins program offered annually: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Host locations vary each session. Registration for the next session will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.
  • Equipment sizes must be submitted during the registration process. Please utilize the Equipment Fit Guide to determine sizes PRIOR to registering. Equipment sizes cannot be changed once submitted.
  • Registration MUST be completed online through LeagueApps. Limited spots are available at each location.
  • Equipment pickup will take place on a specified date at a local DICK'S Sporting Goods location selected during registration. Please double check the selected location, as it cannot be changed. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. Please check your SPAM or PROMOTIONS folder as this e-mail may not arrive straight to your inbox.

Dates (subject to change):

Fall: Registration opens on Tuesday, July 16th

Winter: Registration opens in early November/On-Ice Starts in January

Spring: Registration opens in early February/On-Ice Starts in April

For questions, please contact us.

Program Eligibility

Please note the following program eligibility requirements:

  • Participants must be between the ages of 5 and 9 years old.
  • Offered to new, first-time participants only. Participants must not have been previously registered with USA Hockey or participated in an ice hockey league/program.
  • It is strongly encouraged that participants complete a Learn to Skate class through their local ice rink prior to enrolling in Little Penguins.
    • Please note some host rinks have additional requirements, which are outlined on their registration page.
  • Children who previously participated in the Little Penguins program, are NOT eligible to participate again.

*If the host facility becomes aware that a registered child has previous hockey league/program experience, the child will be removed from the Little Penguins program with no refund.

Equipment

Each participant receives the following equipment:

  • Helmet (with a cage)
  • Neck guard (added this season, due to new USA Hockey mandate)
  • Shoulder pads
  • Elbow pads
  • Hockey gloves
  • Hockey pants
  • Shin guards
  • Skates
  • Hockey Socks
  • Jersey
  • Stick
  • Equipment bag

The equipment we suggest you purchase is an athletic supporter (jock/jill), hockey stick tape and a mouth guard, from your local DICK'S Sporting Goods store.

About Little Penguins

Registration

On-Ice Sessions

Equipment

Next Steps/Continue to Play