As head coach of the Cutting Edge King Cobras Mites Hockey program, I am incredibly proud of what our young players accomplished during the 2024-2025 season. Our program, based in Northern New Jersey, provides an exciting and developmental environment for 6-8-year-olds to learn the game of hockey while building fundamental skills and fostering a love for the sport. We even had a pair of five-year-olds in the program this year, which was exciting to see!
Their enthusiasm and energy on the ice were inspiring, and they made significant progress throughout the season.
Developing Young Players: Two Teams, One Goal
This year, our Mites program featured two teams: an upper-level team and a beginner-level team.
The Beginner Team focused on skill development and was designed for players who were newer to the game. Our goal was to build a strong foundation in skating, puck handling, stick work, and shooting. Competing in the NJYHL, this squad played approximately 57 games over the course of the season, including additional non-league games.
The Upper Team aimed to refine these fundamental skills while introducing advanced techniques, basic game systems, and positional play. This team had a competitive season, playing around 65 games and demonstrating impressive growth in teamwork and strategy.
A Season Filled with Training, Games, and Tournaments
Our teams practiced at least once per week, with some weeks including an additional session. Practices included a mix of drills, small-area games, and scrimmages, as well as unique on-ice exercises designed to improve skating, balance, and agility. Some drills were not directly related to hockey but helped develop essential coordination and edge control, which translated into better overall skating ability.
Games took place primarily on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM. One of the great perks of our program is access to Cutting Edge Ice Academy’s clinics, where players received additional professional coaching at discounted rates.
Tryouts for this past season were held in March, followed by optional weekly practices from April through June. Players also had access to Cutting Edge clinics over the summer, leading up to our preseason training camp, a two-day intensive with two sessions per day to kick off the season strong.
Incredible Growth and Competitive Success
What stands out the most about this season is the improvement of every single player in the program. From first-time skaters to more experienced players, each child made significant strides in their development. It was incredible to see their enthusiasm grow as they honed their skills, gained confidence, and embraced the sport.I want to highlight that, as part of our commitment to fairness and growth at this level, we offered equal playing time to all players by rolling the benches. We made sure not to bench players of lower skill in favor of those with higher skill. At this age level, it’s all about giving the kids ample ice time, more opportunities to touch the pu
ck, and fostering a supportive environment where they encourage and help each other out there.
Our teams also participated in multiple tournaments:
The Beginner Team competed in two tournaments, gaining valuable experience against competitive opponents.
The Upper Team entered three tournaments, winning a championship in the first tournament of the year.
Looking Ahead to the 2025-2026 Season
As we gear up for another exciting year, we look forward to building on the foundation we've established. The upcoming season will follow a similar structure, with practices once or twice per week and weekend games. Tryouts will again take place in March, and we will continue offering offseason development opportunities leading into the season.Our home games and practices are all held at Cutting Edge Ice Academy, located at 71 Midland Ave, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407. Our facility is one of the few in the state with a dedicated mite-sized rink, providing our players with the experience of playing on a 2/3 NHL-sized rink. It features dedicated team benches, penalty boxes, a scoreboard, and rounded corners with glass surrounding the entire rink. This setup ensures uninterrupted play, unlike traditional rinks that are split in half for multiple games, which can cause disruptions at this age range.
If you’re interested in having your child join our King Cobras Mites Hockey program but have missed tryouts, don’t worry! We welcome new players throughout the summer and fall. Feel free to contact Cutting Edge Ice Academy to learn more about how to get involved.
For inquiries on joining the King Cobras, contact Kevin or Vinny at 201-773-6647 or via email at vinny@edgeiceacademy.com and kgeist@edgeiceacademy.com.
We can’t wait for another fantastic season of King Cobras Mites Hockey and watching our young players develop into the next generation of hockey stars!
What Parents Are Saying
"The improvement from the start of the season to the end was incredible! My child gained so much confidence on the ice, and the coaching staff truly made a difference in their development."-Miriam, Parent of 7yr old in program.
"The King Cobras Mite hockey program has been an incredible experience for my son, helping him build confidence, teamwork, and a love for the game. The coaches are supportive and skilled, creating a fun and positive environment where young players can develop their skills and passion for hockey. At this age, making the game fun while also focusing on skill development is so important, and this program does a great job balancing both. Plus, the families that are part of the program are wonderful, making it a great community to be a part of."- Nicole, Parent of 7yr old in program.
"The progress Luke has made during the King Cobra Mites program is incredible. His 1st year has been filled with growth in skill and confidence. His love of hockey has been encouraged and supported surrounded by wonderful coaches and families." - Brian& Beth 8u mite parents
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