Termites

At DLYHA, the Termite and Mite programs work hand-in-hand to introduce hockey in a fun, age- and skill-appropriate way. Some players may move between levels during the year — for example, experienced Termites might skate up with the Mites, while new Mite-age players might start with Termites to build confidence. Movements are flexible as each skater grows and develops.

The Termite level is for our youngest players — generally ages 5 and 6 — taking their first strides into the game. Players who aren’t quite five when the season starts are encouraged to join our Rookies program first.

All equipment is provided free of charge — just bring your energy and excitement!

The Termite season kicks off in mid-October and runs through February. Practices are typically on Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings, and occasional Sunday afternoons. As the season progresses, Saturdays turn into fun in-house scrimmages, where players get to chase pucks, score goals, and celebrate with their teammates.

While Termites mostly play in-house, there may be a few optional scrimmages or jamborees in nearby towns each year — a great way to experience game-day excitement without the pressure.

When winter hits and the outdoor rink at People's Park opens (right across from the arena), Mites and Termites gather for our legendary Hotdog Hockey Fridays — a free, optional night of unstructured skating under the lights. Parent volunteers keep the grill fired up and the hotdogs coming while the kids skate until they can’t anymore.

Our coaches and Hockey Director group Termite players by ability to keep things balanced, challenging, and fun. Groups often shift as players improve — because everyone develops at their own pace.

The Termite program follows USA Hockey’s “Active Start” phase of the American Development Model (ADM) and Minnesota Hockey Development Model, giving every player the foundation they need to build a lifelong love for the game.

At this age, it’s all about fun, friendships, and falling in love with hockey — one glide, one goal, one giggle at a time.