HARTFORD JUNIOR
WOLFPACK SOUTH AAA
2024-25 SEASON GUIDE
wolfpacksouth.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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OUR STAFF
TRYOUT SCHEDULE AND FEES
BLACK BEAR DEVELOPMENT
BLACK BEAR ASCENSION PATH
ABOUT THE WOLFPACK
INDIVIDUALIZED DEVELOPMENT PLANS
HARTFORD JUNIOR WOLFPACK ALUMNI
TRYOUT POLICIES
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PROGRAM OFFERINGS
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NOTABLE WOLFPACK ALUMNI
Francis Nault - University of Maine
View Our Entire Alumni List
Francis was a dominant force in Connecticut Ice Hockey before playing for 3 Seasons and over
100 games at the University of Maine. In his final season at Maine he played in the National
Championship. Following a distinguished career there Francis played professionally across the
ECHL, AHL, and other professional leagues in Canada.
Nick Bonino - 2 Time Stanley Cup Champion and NCAA National Champion
One of Connecticut's most successful ice hockey players ever, Nick played for the WolfPack
before moving on to Avon Old Farms where he won the New England Prep Championship,
Boston University where he won a National Championship, and then on to the NHL where he
won back-to-back Stanley Cups. Nick is now a member of the New York Rangers.
Nick Capone - University of Connecticut - Tampa Bay Lightning
Nick played his youth hockey in Milford until switching over to play for some of the most
competitive WolfPack teams in the entire history of the organization. He then moved on to
compete in Prep School, followed by the USHL, and ultimately to the University of
Connecticut. Nick was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Molly Jordan - Boston College - Team USA
Molly has quickly become one of Connecticut's most accomplished girls ice hockey players. A
major contributor to the 14U Junior Lady WolfPack National Championship run Molly turned
that into playing at Loomis Chaffee, committing to Boston College, and most recently
represented Team USA at the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship in 2023 (Bronze)
and 2022 (Silver).
HARTFORD JUNIOR WOLFPACK
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
ABOUT
LEAGUES
ORGANIZATION BENEFITS (WPS)
2024-25 WOLFPACK SOUTH TEAMS
10U Squirt Major (2014 & 2015)
11U Pee Wee Minor (2013)
12U Pee Wee Major (2012 & 2013)
13O Bantam Minor (2011)
AAA Multi Tier Hockey Organization
Customized Tier I
24-28 league game schedule plus showcases and league tournaments
Spring Parity Event
Spring Tournament
Pre-season Player and Goalie training camp
Dedicated Home locker room for 11U, 12U & 13O
Film Room
Shooting Room
Tier I Hockey Federation (THF)
Super Series Tournament
Hartford Junior Wolfpack Youth Hockey is a AAA, USA Hockey program in Connecticut. We
are members of the Black Bear Sports Group, an elite-level multi-tiered hockey system,
with access to a network of scheduling, showcase, and advancement resources all to
support the development of the elite Student Athlete. 2024-25 will mark the inaugural
season for the Wolfpack to skate out of Milford Ice Arena offering teams at 4 levels.
The Wolfpack model focuses on development through Active-Coaching; our team of
professionals will focus on intent and pace through skill progressions and situational play.
Our goal is to help each player have fun competing and improving at USA Hockey’s highest
level.
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JP Shimko - Executive Director
8 years coaching experience
USA Hockey Certified
Competitive Background: Wonderland Wizards, Joel Barlow Falcons,
Canterbury Saints, Ohio State Buckeyes
Disciplines: Power Skating, Edge Work, Stick Handling and Shooting
Skills, Off-Ice Training
Current Occupation: General Manager of Milford Ice Arena, Milford High School
Boys Ice Hockey Coach, Team Doritos PW Quebec Ice Hockey Coach
Brian Kim - Hockey Director
15 years coaching experience
USA Hockey Certified
Competitive Background: Merrimack Valley (MA), North Andover
Scarlet Knights, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Fairfield Ice
Academy (FIA)
Disciplines: Power Skating, Edge Work, Stick Handling and Shooting
Skills, Off-ice Training
Current Occupation: Founder and Director of Foundation Hockey,
Milford High School Boys Ice Hockey Coach
TIER I BOYS MANAGEMENT STAFF
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JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
Player Skills and Development - Dave Canfarotta
10 years coaching experience
Head PEP Instructor
USA Hockey Certified
Competitive Background: Southern Stars, Salisbury Knights,
Connecticut Oilers, Fairfield Ice Academy (FIA)
Disciplines: PEP, Power Skating, Edge Work, Stick Handling
and Shooting Skills, Off-ice Training
Current Occupation: Founder and Director of DC Skills,
Fairfield High School Boys Ice Hockey Coach
Rachel Ricca - Skating Director
25 years coaching experience
PSA Member, USFS Member, ISI Member, LTS USA Member, Level 4
USA Hockey
Competitive Background: USFS competitions, ice shows
Disciplines: Freestyle, Moves in the Field, Power Skating,
Basic Skills, Hockey, Off-ice Training
Pro Crease - Goaltending Skills
Pro Crease Goaltending, is the largest instructional hockey
organization dedicated solely to goaltending in CT and NY
Founded in 2007
Staff of twenty (20) premier goaltending instructors
Jared Waimon is currently the Goaltending Scout for the 2020-2021 Stanley Cup
Champion Tampa Bay Lightning
Goaltending Coach at Quinnipiac University for five years.
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JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
TIER I BOYS COACHING STAFF
Squirt Major 10U (2014 & 2015)
Player Fee: $5,520 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Goalie Fee: $2,760 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Payment plan available
Tournaments: 2, THF Showcases: 2-4, THF Playoffs
Games Target: 51
Spring Practices (6) and Tournament (1)
Training Camp Start Date: 8/10/24
Practices Start: week of 8/12/25, End:3/2/25
Practices: 2X weekly 75 minutes each (calendar
permitting)
Skill Sessions and Goalie Training: Weekly (calendar
permitting)
Chalk Talk: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Shooting Room: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Pee Wee Minor 11U (2013)
Player Fee: $5,700 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Goalie Fee: $2,850 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Payment plan available
Tournaments: 2, THF Showcases: 2-4, THF Playoffs
Games Target: 51
Spring Practices (6) and Tournament (1)
Training Camp Start Date: 8/10/24
Practices Start: week of 8/12/25, End:3/2/25
Practices: 2X weekly 75 minutes each (calendar
permitting)
Skill Sessions and Goalie Training: Weekly (calendar
permitting)
Chalk Talk: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Shooting Room: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Dedicated Home Locker Room
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Individualized Development Plan
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
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Individualized Development Plan
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
Pee Wee Major 12U (2012 & 2013)
Player Fee: $6,000 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Goalie Fee: $3,000 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Payment plan available
Tournaments: 2, THF Showcases: 2-4, THF Playoffs
Games Target: 51
Spring Practices (6) and Tournament (1)
Training Camp Start Date: 8/10/24
Practices Start: week of 8/12/25, End:3/2/25
Practices: weekly 1-75 minute split ice, 1-60 minute full
ice (calendar permitting)
Skill Sessions and Goalie Training: Weekly (calendar
permitting)
Film Room: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Shooting Room: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Dedicated Home Locker Room
Bantam Minor 13O (2011)
Player Fee: $6,120 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Goalie Fee: $3,060 includes jerseys, socks, shell
Payment plan available
Tournaments: 2, THF Showcases: 3-5, THF Playoffs
Games Target: 51
Spring Practices (6) and Tournament (1)
Training Camp Start Date: 8/10/24
Practices Start: week of 8/12/25, End:3/2/25
Practices: weekly 1-75 minute split ice, 1-60 minute full
ice (calendar permitting)
Skill Sessions and Goalie Training: Weekly (calendar
permitting)
Film Room: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Shooting Room: Weekly (calendar permitting)
Dedicated Home Locker Room
PROGRAM OFFERINGS
10U-13O TRYOUT REGISTRATION FEE: $200
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION FEE
OF $150
IF REGISTERED BY FEB 28TH FOR 10U-12U
OR BY APRIL 3RD FOR 13O
TIER I
TRYOUTS
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Member of Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF)
Over 50 Games
National Showcases
USA Hockey Nationals
3 to 4 hours of practice/skills a week
Film room for team meetings and review
Shooting room for team skill and system
Professional Skills training from DC Skills
Professional Goalie training from Pro Crease
Travel Withdrawal/No Refund Policy
Once teams have been formed, if a player leaves, it is very difficult to find replacement players.
Our policy is that once a player has registered for a team, the party registering the player is
responsible to pay Wolfpack South the entire fee associated with that team: if the player leaves,
we will not refund any portion of the fee. Until Wolfpack South has received payment of the
registration fee in full, the player will not be released from Wolfpack South. Until a written
release is issued by the club, the player cannot register for/play for a team in any other USA
Hockey association/club.
Open Eligibility for Team Try Out
It is the Club’s policy to give every player the opportunity to try out for the age appropriate team
of his or her choice, regardless of where or at what skill level the player may have played in the
prior year. Roster spots will be open to any players who attend try-outs.
Number of Try Out Sessions Prior to “Cuts”
There will be no cuts until after the second scheduled try-out. The Director of Coaching will be
responsible for developing tryout evaluation procedures and providing evaluators and Club
coaches with adequate direction relating to this matter.
Travel Try Out Procedures
Each player will be assigned a unique tryout number and jersey that MUST be worn at each
evaluation.
An Evaluation Committee shall be organized by the Hockey Director and will be comprised of
the Hockey Director, and no less than two (2) other disinterested, qualified evaluators, to be
selected by the Hockey Director. This committee shall organize the drills and objectives for
each level and shall evaluate at as many evaluation sessions as possible. The committee shall
work with the coaches throughout the try outs. At the conclusion of each try out session, or
as soon thereafter as possible, the Head Coach of the appropriate team shall conduct a
roundtable discussion to gather and review the try out results. At least one member of the
Evaluation Committee shall attend the round table discussion.
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TRYOUT POLICIES
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
Travel Try Out Procedures Continued
At the conclusion of each session, the Head Coach upon approval of the Hockey Director
shall be allowed to make selections to the team, thereby waiving attendance at the remaining
try out sessions for those selected players.
All players, whether they are being placed on a team or cut from the try-out process will be
notified by posting on the web or bulletin board, individual telephone calls or a personal face
to face conversation. The appropriate coach has the responsibility for providing this
notification to the affected players.
48 Hours To Register
Once players have been notified of their team placement, parents have 48 hours to register for
that team, or Wolfpack South may offer the player’s spot to another player.
Player Addition After Tryouts
A player may be added to any team at any time up to 12/31 without attending any try-outs by
coach’s selection only after approval by Wolfpack South’s Director of Coaching. However, this
will be the exception and the vast majority of player’s will be placed on a team right after the try
out sessions.
The try out fee will be non-refundable in whole or in part regardless of the number of try-outs
attended by the player. NO Exceptions.
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TRYOUT POLICIES CONTINUED
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
TRAVEL ROSTER SIZE: At all levels, only players qualified to play at that level will make a
travel team roster. Travel teams will have a target roster size that may vary from age level to
age level, and will be at the discretion of the Hockey Director. Based on the number of
players and the skill of the players trying out, the Club reserves the right NOT to field a team
at any level.
TRAVEL COACHING STAFF: Wolfpack South intends to announce coaches prior to try outs.
TRAVEL PROGRAM POLICIES:
Ice Time Policy: At all levels, the coach will have the prerogative throughout the game to
play the players of his choice; however, the club does expect that all players will play in
every period.
Attendance policy: Wolfpack South requires that Travel players not miss more than one
(1) practice and one (1) game per month on an unexcused basis. Occasional absences,
approximately once a month, for illness, school obligations and family obligations will be
considered excused absences. However, these absences will only be considered excused
absences if the head coach or team manager is informed in advance of the impending
absence. If no advance notice is given, the absence will be considered unexcused. If a
player has 2 unexcused absences in any month as outlined above, the following shall
occur: If a second practice or game in any month is missed, the player will be required to
sit out one (1) period of the next game. If a third practice or game in any month is missed,
the player will be required to sit out two (2) periods of the next game. If a fourth practice
or game in any month is missed, the player will be required to be in attendance but sit out
the next game. In addition, there will be a discussion with the player and his/her parents
as to the athlete’s commitment to the program.
YEARLY FEES: The yearly fee for the Travel program will ONLY include:
Sessions and all games as noted in the Individualized Development Plans (pages 7 & 8) to
include tournament and showcases. THF player league fees are the responsibility of the
parent and are not included in the yearly fee.
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TRAVEL POLICIES
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
Note 1: Credit card customers will be charged a credit card processing fee to their card.
Note 2: Registration for all Travel teams must be complete (defined below) in full within 48
hours of being notified of team assignment. If not fully completed within 48 hours: player’s
spot may be offered to another player and ALL Season Fees shown above will be increased by
$400.
Note 3: three equal payments by three checks or credit card of the “3 Payment Plan Season
Fee” shown above. All three checks must be submitted at registration time. One check dated
as of the registration date for 1/3 of the fee, One check dated July 15 for 1/3 of the fee and
one check dated September 15 for the remaining 1/3 of the fee.
Complete Registration Includes: Must complete USA Hockey registration before registering
with the WOLFPACK SOUTH online. Our registration system will prompt the user for his/her
new USA Hockey number. Registration cannot proceed without the correct number. 10U-12U:
enter your current season USAH number, 13O: enter either the 23/24 or the 24/25 number.
Full Payment received by the WOLFPACK SOUTH, or if paying by check, check(s) must be
received within 3 days of registration.
TRAVEL PAYMENT SCHEDULE: When a player is selected to play for a team, the yearly fee can
be paid by:
Full payment of the “One Payment Season Fee” above at the time of registration by one
check or one credit card payment for the full amount.
YEARLY FEES: The yearly fee for the Travel program will ONLY include:
Sessions and all games as noted in Individualized Development Plan (page 7/8) to include
tournament and showcases.
1.
THF player league fees are the responsibility of the parent and are not included in the
yearly fee.
2.
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TRAVEL POLICIES CONTINUED
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
10U Squirt Major Teams
11U Pee Wee Minor Teams
12U Pee Wee Major Teams
13O Bantam Minor Teams
Player-$5520
Goalie-$2760
Player-$5700
Goalie-$2850
Player-$6000
Goalie-$3000
Player-$6120
Goalie-$3060
One Payment
Season Fee (NOTE 1)
Player-$5670 ($1890 each payment)
Goalie-$2910 ($970 each payment)
Player-$5850 ($1950 each payment)
Goalie-$3000 ($1000 each payment)
Player-$6150 ($2050 each payment)
Goalie-$3150 ($1050 each payment)
Player-$6270 ($2090 each payment)
Goalie-$3210 ($1070 each payment)
3 Payment Plan
Season Fee (NOTES 1 & 3)
WPS CODES OF CONDUCT
Players and parents should read and discuss together the following rules of conduct of the Club. Each player is representing the Club
not just on the ice during practices and games, but also in the locker room both home and away, in the hotels on road trips, at
restaurants when dining together, etc.
WPS Code of Conduct for PARENTS
I agree that, “Kids play sports for their own enjoyment, not mine.” I will encourage my child to play by the rules of the game. I will
teach my child that winning games does not make a winner and losing games does not make loser, and I will teach my child that good
sportsmanship and having fun are truly the most important parts of sports.
I agree that officials are an important and integral part of the game. I accept the premise that each official has integrity and is trying to
call a fair and equitable game. I understand that referees are human and subject to make mistakes just as I am. If I disagree with an
official’s call, I will express my disagreement without verbally abusing the officials or demeaning them in any way.
I will applaud good plays from our team and from opponents’ and avoid criticizing children (mine or others’) if they fail. I understand
that children respond positively to positive encouragement and negatively to negative comments. I will remember that my activities
and actions can either enhance or demean the efforts of my child as well as all other participants. The choice is mine. The benefit (or
harm) is always the child’s.
I will at all times act like an adult, cheering when appropriate and refrain from making loud, abusive, demeaning, or vulgar comments
toward officials, other team members, parents or other team’s coaches and will remember that such actions can cause serious
embarrassment to my child and damage to the reputation of the team and the program.
I will support my coaches and will refrain from criticizing them in front of my child or other players. I will treat the coaches and team
officials with respect and insist that my child does as well.
If I have a disagreement with a coach, player, parent, referee or club official, I either approach them in a calm, reasonable manner or
will use the club procedures for resolving this conflict.
I will volunteer my services when needed.
I will ensure that my child abides by the rules of the team, USA Hockey and Hartford Junior Wolfpack association, and will ensure that
my child doesn’t disparage other participants concerning their skills, race, ethnic background, sex, religion or national origin.
I will ensure that my child is on time to team practices and games and that his/her behavior is not disruptive to the other members of
the team.
I will not knowingly participate, instigate or pursue any course of action that could reasonably be expected to lead or cause physical
or emotional harm or legal action to or against any minor participant including, but not limited to providing of controlled substances
or alcohol.
WPS Code of Conduct for PLAYERS
Rules: Follow the rules. Each player agrees to abide by all of the published and non-published rules and regulations of USA Hockey,
Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF), all leagues the team may play in, and WPS.
Respect: Be Respectful. WPS expects to be respectful of all referees and refrain from any negative communication with the referees.
WPS expects all parents, players and coaches to show respect to the referees, opposing team, parents, and other coaches.
Behavior: Watch the language, horseplay, gestures, attitudes, etc. Be respectful of others and the property of others. Always be a
good sport and set a positive example for others, particularly younger players.
Sportsmanship: Practice teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline. Demonstrate mature behavior on and off the ice. Participate, with
grace, in end of game hand-shake line. Learn to win and lose with the same amount of sportsmanship and dignity.
Adults: No Insubordination. Follow the directions given by the coaches, WPS staff, rink officials and referees. Please note the Zero
Tolerance posters in all rinks. Play for FUN and enjoy hockey.
Illegal Activities: Any activities/situations that are illegal (possession or use of cigarettes, alcohol or drugs, shoplifting, stealing,
vandalism, etc.) will not be tolerated. Illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Demand a drug-and alcohol-free
sports environment for your team.
The consequences for violating the above-referenced rules are varied, depending on such factors as whether this is a first time
offense or part of a pattern or practice, the seriousness of the offense, the potential for or actual harm to the player or other players,
and whether or not the behavior is illegal (this list is not exhaustive). The coach may determine the appropriate punishment or may
refer violators to the WPS disciplinary committee. Consequences of violations may range from suspension for a period or two of a
game, to a single or multiple game suspensions; to expulsion from WPS (this list is not exhaustive).
Suspensions or expulsions will not entitle any family to a refund of any kind. In fact, parents are responsible for the player’s actions
and will be held financially liable for them.
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TRAVEL POLICIES CONTINUED
JUNIOR WOLFPACK SOUTH
