LARC Hockey – Yes, there is No-Check Recreational Hockey!
Registration: November

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Hockey Overview   Fundamental Hockey Guidelines   City League U11 and Older Guidelines   Want to Ref Info   Clinic and Practice Schedule  Game Schedules

New Participant? Read the Overview
LARC Hockey is mostly outdoor hockey played on weeknight evenings under lights and Saturdays – morning and afternoon games may be scheduled. Fundamental teams may play one or two games indoors, while City leagues may play four or more total games indoors. As you can imagine, we strive to balance AFFORDABILITY and season length. All teams will practice at least twice indoors in December. We strive to keep this a break-even program around $60 for Fundamental and under $100 for City leagues. The fee includes games, jersey, and December indoor ice practice hours. Partial and full scholarships are available. See the Policies section off website homepage.

What about the weather? Flexibility is key for families who sign up for MPRB hockey. Season play typically starts in the first week of January and runs through mid-February. If outdoor ice has not set, or has thawed, or low temperature/wind chill cause game cancellations, every effort will be made to reschedule the game outside. In general, every team will have several games rescheduled. Fundamentals typically do not play all games scheduled ( at least in the prior three years!) Temperature guidelines are for the hearty: most games are played as long as actual temp is over about five degrees Farenhite with minimal wind chill. Participants will receive specific temperature and wind chill guidelines from coaches. Children may, of course, takes warm-up breaks in the warming huts during practices and, if necessary, during games. Dress your children WARMLY. Many participants wear ear wraps, modified face masks, gloves under hockey gloves, and medium-weight jackets under the hockey jerseys. You know your child. Protect exposed skin.

Some donated equipment is available, including skates, helmets, and shin guards. Required equipment: shin guards, helmet, mouthguard. Players must purchase individual mouthguards and personal protective gear (athletic cup) if desired. At the beginning of the registration timeframe, registered participants may go through the boxes of donated equipment at the Community Center during Lynnhurst Community Center hours. Please sign out equipment and return equipment at season end. To keep costs down, we encourage participants to order new jerseys only when necessary: new participant, body-size change. LARC-owned goalie equipment and sticks will be issued to every team.

Fundamental Hockey is a play-to-learn and, practically, a learn-to-skate league for children grades one through three. Prior skating experience is recommended but not required. Fundamental hockey introduces skills through simple drills and games. Participants will play all positions. As in most Fundamental programs, about one third of the scheduled game time will focus on skating and skill drills. Games are loosely officiated for safety by on-ice coaches. Offsides is generally not introduced until late in the season, and only reminders are given, no penalties.

City League/MPRB Hockey plays almost half of the season games indoors at Parade and North East (Edison) arenas. Most players will wear more than the miminal equipment. Skating experience is strongly recommended, but previous hockey experience is not required. Coaches emphasize skating and game-specific skills. While all players play at least one period, positional rotation is not required. Player skill varies widely in this league. All MPRB games are officiated by paid referees.


Can you coach? Lynnhurst traditionally fields one team in every age group. However, we often struggle to find coaches. Would you share your skills? Some instruction available. Do you know of other qualified adults or high school students who could assist with a team? Please contact Mary Pekala, 926-5214. Possibly older students need volunteer hours?

Hockey players who are 16 and older should contact xlhockeyleague.com. League signup begins in September. Preseason ice held October through December. One game /week league plays at Ridder arena on Sunday afternoon and evenings. Cost is about $300 for all-indoor season and preseason ice. Minimum age is 14. In past years xcel has been a boys-only league.

Fundamental Hockey Guidelines

1)  Fundamental league is for participants aged First through Third grade.  The league focuses on playing to learn through drills and games.  

2)  Most teams will practice indoors at either Parade Stadium or Edison Ice Arena several time before first game.  Practices will include limited skating instruction, simple games and drills, and scrimmages.

3)  Season lasts about six weeks, starting first week in January through the middle of February.  Two games will generally be played every week.  Some coaches will call an additional weekly practice.  Once outdoor ice is available, practices will be outdoors at the Lynnhurst Rink or on other local outdoor ice. 

4)  Participants must wear helmet, shin guards, skates, and  attached mouthguard. 

5)  Goalie equipment is provided by LARC.

6)  All participants play all positions.  All participants play approximately equal time every game.

7)  Offsides will be introduced but not "called."  Safety related fouls will be discussed among coaches and violators, and "called" if frequent and flagrant.  Safety related fouls include but are not limited to: high sticking, pushing from behind, intentionally throwing stick toward others' skates, sticking others' skates, cross-checking.  Note that beginning skaters and players may commit these fouls unintentionally.  Coaches will encourage skill development and good sportsmanship according to Code of Conduct in Policies section of this website.

City/MPRB Hockey Guidelines

Available on Minneapolis Parks Web Site.  Go to minneapolisparks.org, pull down Popular Pages, go to Youth Sports, go to Hockey Leagues.