2025 - 2026
Season Information
The Jr. Amerks offer teams for any kid who wants to play hockey, from those just starting out to the most advanced players. As a Tier I organization, our teams are eligible to compete for state and national titles. Next season, we will field multiple teams at every age and skill level, including AAA and AA youth Travel teams for ages 8U-18U, Girls Travel teams for ages 10U-19U, and House teams for ages 8U-18U.
registration information
Registration for 10U and 12U teams opens on Tuesday, February 4. Registration for 13U, 14U, 15O, 16U, 18U, and 19U teams opens on Tuesday, March 11. Registration for 8U evaluations is now open. To learn more about our program offerings, please fill out our Player Interest Form.
Each of our programs follow the same player development plan, adapted for each skill level, to help kids reach their full potential. This includes dedicated skills sessions run by Rochester Ice Center Hockey Academy and Jr. Amerks NAHL players, as well as off-ice training by Next Level Strength and Conditioning.
And because it's our mission as a not-for-profit to give every kid a chance to play hockey, we keep our programs as affordable as possible. We offer several needs-based scholarships every season, and, as a volunteer-run organization, 100% of our fees are put toward our programming.
We're proud to have grown into New York state's largest youth hockey organization. Join us in the 2025-2026 season.
2025 - 2026 Season programs
AAA & AA Travel Teams
Travel hockey requires the highest level of commitment from players and families. Teams practice 2-3 days per week. This includes skills sessions run by Rochester Ice Center Hockey Academy and Jr. Amerks NAHL players, and off-ice training run by Next Level Strength and Conditioning. Games and tournaments played on the weekends are often out of town. We expect to field at least three competitive travel teams at the AAA and AA level for each age group next season. Teams are formed based on tryouts.
Girls Travel Teams
Girls teams follow a travel hockey schedule, practicing 2-3 times per week, including skills sessions and off-ice training. As a Tier I organization, our girls are eligible to compete for USA Hockey state and national titles. Girls in our Tier I program follow a development plan designed to help them advance past youth hockey on to college and beyond. We expect to field two competitive teams at each age group next season. Teams are formed based on tryouts.
house teams
House hockey is competitive play that requires a lower level of commitment from players and families, and is also a great place for players to develop their skills. Teams practice 1-2 times per week, including some skills sessions and off-ice training. House teams compete in the Empire Amateur Hockey Conference against House teams in the Rochester area. Teams are of mixed birth years, including 10U, 12U, 14U and 18U. Players must attend House Evaluations to be placed on a team. House Evaluations are not tryouts; every player who registers will be placed on a team.
Transitioning from 8U Mite hockey to 9U Travel or 10U House hockey marks an exciting step in a young player's development, introducing new challenges, opportunities, and team experiences. We have options for every player. Learn more about making the move.
8U Mite Teams
Our 8U program has a team for every kid who wants to play hockey, from those just starting out to the most advanced players. Teams practice 2-3 times per week, and includes skills sessions. Games and tournaments are played on the weekends. We will field several 8U teams next season. Our "Blue" and "White" level teams will play predominantly cross-ice games in the Empire Amateur Hockey Conference, while our "Red" level team will compete in the LECOM Harbor Center full-ice Mite League. Prospective players must attend 8U evaluations. Evaluations are not tryouts; every player who registers will be placed on a team.
Goaltender Program
Frequently Asked Questions
The tryout dates for the 2025-2026 youth hockey season are determined by the New York State Amateur Hockey Association and USA Hockey. Tryouts are split into two age groups: 12U & below and 13U & above. Below are the scheduled dates for each group.
Per the rules of New York State's West section, registration opens one month prior to tryouts. Registration information will be available on our website.
If you have questions about a specific team, please reach out directly to the head coach. You can also send via our Contact Us Page
Travel team tryouts require a $50 tryout fee. This covers your player for all tryout dates listed for their birth year. Players who attend House Evaluations must submit a $100 deposit. This deposit will be applied to your 2025-2026 season dues. There is no fee for players attending 8U evaluations.
Every Jr. Amerks player, from House to Tier I (AAA), benefits from dedicated skill development sessions integrated into their season schedule. Our AAA teams receive weekly skill sessions to ensure consistent, high-level training throughout the year.
The training curriculum is rooted in the principles of the modern game and tailored for age-appropriate development, providing players at every level the tools to grow and excel.
We prioritize player development over short-term wins because we believe that teams achieve greater long-term success when players continuously enhance their skills and progress in their hockey journey.
We partner with New Edge School of Goaltending to offer dedicated goalie-specific training sessions throughout the season, providing players with the opportunity to enhance their skills at no additional cost.
Our organization is committed to delivering top-notch instruction and development for goaltenders. With the expertise of New Edge School of Goaltending, our program follows a meticulously designed progression plan. The drills and coaching techniques implemented are geared towards cultivating highly competitive, mobile, athletic, and fundamentally sound goaltenders who can excel in the hockey ranks
Typically, the hockey season begins in August and ends in late March or early April, depending on your player's age and skill level.
Girls who play on a Jr. Amerks Girls travel team can also play on a Jr. Amerks youth team. Please contact our Girls Hockey Director, Scott McDonald, for more information.
The tryout registration fee covers both AAA and AA travel tryouts. You are not required to attend AAA tryouts if your player wants to play for a AA team.