Development Program
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Why Play Hockey?
"I have been involved with several different youth sports throughout my life. Only with hockey have I felt a true sense of family and community. I believe the fast-paced nature of hockey emphasizes and rewards teamwork, communication, and collaboration...I want our players to have fun and play safely. I want our players to be challenged by great and fair competition, to learn to battle through adversity and to work hard to become the best possible versions of themselves. I want our players to build self-confidence, emotional maturity, and good sportsmanship."
Learn more about the background and philosophy of SWHC's Co-President HERE.
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About Us
The South Westchester Blackhawks and South Westchester Raiders & Lady Raiders play alongside each other as part of the South Westchester Hockey Club ('SWHC'). Both the Blackhawks and Raiders are celebrating their 30th anniversaries as volunteer-run non-profits in the 2026 - 2027 season!
We are a volunteer-run, non-profit organization. We do not have any profit motive and our goal each year is to break even while providing hockey opportunities for as many children as possible. Indeed, across all players and teams, our mission is clear: we want to offer the most accessible and comprehensive youth ice hockey program in Westchester. Accessible means that quality travel hockey shouldn't require a fortune or a two-hour round trip to a different state. We seek to bring the elite experience to your backyard. Comprehensive means we serve players from 8U through 18U (including a dedicated all-girls program) across a wide range of competitive tiers.
Our program is dedicated to fostering a love for the sport while emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
We prioritize creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere where every child feels valued and supported, regardless of their skill level.
Our coaching staff is made up of a mix of paid professional coaches and parent volunteers (all coaches are USA Hockey Certified).
Most kids in the program are based out of Westchester, but we do have families in the program who live in NYC, Connecticut, and NJ. There is no requirement to live in Scarsdale or Westchester.
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About Our Development Program
For our Development Program, we prioritize creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere where every child feels valued and supported, regardless of their skill level.
Our 8U Development Program typically skates once per week, EITHER on Saturday OR Sunday evenings at EJ Murrays. You can choose what works best for your schedule! Sessions occur nearly every week, but typically take off for holidays and school breaks. Once you sign up in Crossbar, you can sync the schedule to your calendar.
The 8U Development Program runs from September 2026 until December 2026.
Both the Saturday and the Sunday schedule offer 11 skates for $495 ($45 per skate). You can also sign up for both Saturdays and Sundays, skating 2x per week, and the price is $990. There is no "drop in" or per-session pricing available. We also do not provide any equipment.
Saturday Package (all at EJ Murrays):
26-Sep 5:15PM - 6:15PM
3-Oct 5:15PM - 6:15PM
10-Oct 5:15PM - 6:15PM
17-Oct 5:15PM - 6:15PM
24-Oct 5:15PM - 6:15PM
7-Nov 5:15PM - 6:15PM
14-Nov 5:15PM - 6:15PM
21-Nov 5:15PM - 6:15PM
5-Dec 5:15PM - 6:15PM
12-Dec 5:15PM - 6:15PM
19-Dec 5:15PM - 6:15PM
Sunday Package (all at EJ Murrays):
27-Sep 6:10PM - 7:10PM
4-Oct 6:10PM - 7:10PM
11-Oct 6:10PM - 7:10PM
18-Oct 6:10PM - 7:10PM
25-Oct 6:10PM - 7:10PM
8-Nov 6:10PM - 7:10PM
15-Nov 6:10PM - 7:10PM
22-Nov 6:10PM - 7:10PM
6-Dec 6:10PM - 7:10PM
13-Dec 6:10PM - 7:10PM
20-Dec 6:10PM - 7:10PM
Please register following the registration link at the top or bottom of this page. Registration for any Development Program is currently FREE.
As a reminder, SWHC is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization; dues are entirely a function of operating costs, and the goal of the organization each year is to break even.
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Ages
For the 2026 - 2027 season, our Development Program will primarily be made up of players born in the years 2017 - 2021. That said, we welcome players of all ages if they are interested in learning how to play hockey!
Price
Both the Saturday and the Sunday schedule offer 11 skates for $495 ($45 per skate). You can also sign up for both Saturdays and Sundays, skating 2x per week, and the price is $990. There is no "drop in" or per-session pricing available. We also do not provide any equipment.
When
Our 8U Development Program runs from September 2026 until December 2026.
We typically break for holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving, Winter Holidays, February School Break) although we offer "stick times" and other free skills clinics over these holidays periods for program members.
Where
Practice locations will vary between Westchester Skating Academy and EJ Murray Memorial Skating Center.
Practices
Saturday evenings, 5:15pm - 6:15pm at EJ Murrays and Sunday evenings 6:10 - 7:10PM at EJ Murrays.
Games
Although the Development Program is primarily focused on teaching players fundamental skating and playing skills, we will look to find appropriate scrimmages and games for our players over the course of the season.
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2026-2027
2026 - 2027 SOUTH WESTCHESTER HOCKEY CLUB 8U Development Program Registration
Register