Junior Seahawks Hockey

Vision

The Wilmington Seahawks Hockey Association (WSHA) is a non-profit, Tier 2 youth hockey program built to serve the Cape Fear region of North Carolina and beyond. Through our program, we strive to develop skilled and knowledgeable players who not only excel on the ice but also demonstrate strong leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship both on and off the ice and will have a lifelong love of the sport of hockey.

Competitive Focus

All 14U through 16U teams will be National Bound to compete in the North Carolina State Championship for the right to advance to the USA Hockey Tier 2 National Championships.

Each team will be challenged through competing in the Eastern Junior Elite Prospect League as well as professionally operated tournaments and exhibition games versus top-level competition.

Program Objectives

1. Create an environment whereby players can achieve their individual goals of improving, allowing them to go to the next level of hockey within the framework of team success through a commitment to excellence.

2. Players to represent WSHA and the community with professionalism and respect.

3. Create positive experiences, memories, & friendships that last a lifetime for the players.

4. Provide a pathway to Junior or College hockey when a player's youth hockey career is over.

Ages

Currently the Junior Seahawks field teams at the following age levels:

10U - 2014 and 2015

12U - 2012 and 2013

14U - 2010 and 2011

16U - 2008 and 2009

Affiliations

USA Hockey under the local affiliate Carolina Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA)

Eastern Junior Elite Prospect League (EJEPL)

Carolina Hockey League (CHL)

When

Subject to change - the season starts on August 20th and the season runs through March 1st.

Where

Practices and home games are held at Polar Ice Wilmington. Away games will be played throughout the east coast.

On-Ice

The goal for each team is to reach 70 total ice sessions. These sessions will be made up of a preseason camp, weekly practices as well as skill and player development sessions.

Anticipated Ice Sessions:

52 practices
13 skill session
5-day preseason camp

Off-Ice

To be determined

Games

The goal every year is for each team to play 40+ games that mainly take place on the weekends.

Travel Locations

Anticipated locations:

North Carolina
South Carolina
Florida
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Maryland

Tournaments

Each tournament will be selected for its prestige and value to our teams and players.

Desired characteristics:

Quality competition
Professionally operated
Desirable locations

Season Costs

Season costs are on a per-team basis. As a non-profit, we only pass on to each participant the hard costs associated with each team.

Additional Costs

Personalized, professional quality home and away jerseys

Custom game socks

Team specific warmups

Team spirit wear

Equipment Color

All of your equipment should be the color navy. Each of the major equipment manufacturers has the color navy in their offerings.

Pants/Shell

Helmet

Gloves

Frequently Asked Questions

Will each team play in A or AA?

There is an overarching issue in youth hockey with self-labeling team levels. It would be great if there was a set criterion for A or AA but unfortunately, there is not. This has led to an overemphasis on the letters as opposed to player development and competitive success. Our focus will be a customized approach so that each of our teams will play the appropriate level of competition to foster growth and development.

How many teams will be in each age group?

There is not a set amount of teams that the Junior Seahawks will fill. The number of teams will be determined by the number of athletes that are available to field a full team.

As a parent, how do I get involved?

As a non-profit organization, our biggest need is fundraising for scholarships and team support. You can reach out to your coach or the hockey director on how to get involved in fundraising.