Wilmington Junior Seahawks
Junior Seahawks Hockey 2023-24
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 13U through 18U teams will be National Bound in order 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 - 2013 and 2014
12U - 2011 and 2012
14U - 2009 and 2010
16U - 2007 and 2008
Affiliations
USA Hockey under the local affiliate Carolina Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA)
Eastern Junior Elite Prospect League (EJEPL)
Carolina Hockey League (CHL)
When
The season starts on August 7th with preseason camp and practice starting the week of August 14th 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
Each player will have access to off-ice training through our partner Change the Game. The focus will be on strength and conditioning as well as skill development. The program will be age specific.
Player-specific training sessions will be delivered through the CTG app.
Games
The goal every year is for each team to play 40+ games that mainly take place on the weekends. This includes games in the EJEPL as well as exhibition and tournament games.
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 will include three tournaments.
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
Coaches may decide to participate in additional tournaments
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.
Junior Seahawks 2023-24
Tryout Information
Tryouts have been completed. Team selection is in progress.
Register