Viroqua Area Community Arena

🏒 DID YOU KNOW? 🏒

One of the biggest questions for new hockey families is:
“What does my player actually need to wear?” 🤔

For Mites, players typically need:
• Helmet (“bucket”) with cage
• Neck guard (required by USA Hockey)
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Hockey gloves
• Hockey pants (“breezers”)
• Shin guards
• Hockey socks (worn over shin guards)
• Skates
• Stick
• Athletic cup/pelvic protector (“jock” or “jill”)
• Base layer/clothes worn under gear (typically dry-fit, long-underwear)

💡 Neck guards are required for ALL practices and games under USA Hockey rules.

💡 Mouth guards are strongly recommended and may become required at older levels depending on age group and league requirements.

VAHA also provides:
• Practice jersey
• Game jersey

VAHA also offers equipment rental for a small seasonal fee (typically around $25, though pricing is subject to change). Rental gear generally includes:
• Helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Gloves
• Breezers
• Shin guards

Skates and sticks are typically purchased separately.

Many families also choose to purchase:
• Hockey bag
• Water bottle
• Extra base layers
• Tape for sticks/socks
• Skate guards (“soakers”)

We know the gear list can feel overwhelming at first, but hockey families are some of the most helpful people around and are always willing to help newer families figure out what’s actually needed and where to find it affordably. 💙🏒

🏒 The Annual VAHA Golf Outing is back! 🏒

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 15th at Westby Snowflake Golf Course for a fun day of golf, raffles, food, and supporting youth hockey in our community! 💙

💲 $50/player includes:
• Golf
• Cart rental
• Luncheon after golf

We’ll also have:
🏆 Prizes
🎟️ Bucket raffles
💵 50/50 raffle
👥 Great company & community support

This fundraiser helps support affordable and accessible youth hockey opportunities for local families while continuing improvements at our rink and facilities. 🥅

🔗 View the event page here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1E2LKC3KKD/

More details and registration information coming soon, but we wanted everyone to SAVE THE DATE now! ⛳🏒

Send a message to learn more

🏒 DID YOU KNOW? 🏒

Getting started in hockey is often easier and more affordable than many families expect.

Below were VAHA’s approximate 2025-26 season costs per player. Please note that pricing may change year to year. 💙

🧊 Learn to Skate
Typical Cost: ~$17–$117

🏒 Thunder Mites (Non-Competitive)
Typical Cost: ~$125–$325

🏒 Sq**rts / U10 Girls (Competitive)
Typical Cost: ~$150–$525

🏒 PeeWee / U12 Girls (Competitive)
Typical Cost: ~$200–$600

🏒 Bantam / U14 Girls (Competitive)
Typical Cost: ~$225–$650

A few additional things families should know:
• All players must complete USA Hockey registration
• Equipment rental is available for $25
• Game and practice jerseys are provided by VAHA
• Hockey socks, skates, and sticks are purchased separately
• Early Bird discounts are available through August 15

Beginning at the Mite level, additional team-related costs may also come up throughout the season, including:
• Tournament entry fees
• Travel expenses
• Coach or team gifts
• Fun Night team basket contributions

💙 VAHA works hard to keep hockey affordable through fundraising, volunteers, sponsorships, and community support.

Per VAHA policy, no child will be refused participation due to financial hardship.

Additional pricing and program details can be found on our website under the Programs tab.

Questions? Drop them below ⬇️

🏒 DID YOU KNOW? 🏒

Getting started in youth hockey comes with a lot of new terms and age groups, so here’s a quick breakdown of how VAHA hockey is structured.💙

🧊 LEARN TO SKATE
Our beginner program for brand new skaters. No hockey experience needed!
• Focuses on skating basics, confidence, and fun
• Free for 1st year skaters
• $50 for 2nd year skaters
• $100 for 3rd year skaters

🏒 THUNDER MITES (Co-Ed)
• Birth Years: 2018–2020
• Our youngest hockey level focuses on skating, puck skills, teamwork, confidence-building, and lots of fun on the ice.

Mites are grouped by color/skill level as players develop:
• Blue = Typically first year players
• Yellow
• White
• Black
• Red = Most advance

• Mite hockey is considered a developmental/non-competitive level and typically plays in jamboree-style events rather than full competitive games.

What’s a hockey jamboree?
A jamboree is a fun event where multiple teams come together and play several shorter games in one day. The focus is on development, learning, puck touches, teamwork, and fun rather than standings or season records.

🏒 SQUIRTS / U10
Birth Years: 2016–2017
• Sq**rt A & B = Boys teams
• U10 = Girls team

🏒 PEEWEE / U12
Birth Years: 2014–2015
• PeeWee = Boys team
• U12 = Girls team

🏒 BANTAM / U14
Birth Years: 2012–2013
• Bantam = Boys team
• U14 = Girls team

💡 Girls hockey at VAHA begins at the U10 level and is available for girls ages 9+.

We know hockey can feel overwhelming when you’re new, but we’re always happy to help families figure out where their player fits best.

Questions? Drop them below ⬇️

🏒 LAST CALL FOR DONATIONS! 💙

We’re in the final stretch of collecting donations for the VAHA Summer Fundraising Rummage Sale, and we could still use your help!

We’re accepting gently used:
🏡 Household items
🖼️ Home décor
🔧 Tools
🪑 Small furniture

(Please limit clothing donations unless items are like new 👕)

Every donation directly supports local youth hockey and helps keep our community arena running strong right here in Viroqua. Unlike many arenas in Wisconsin, ours is not city funded. Programs, maintenance, and improvements are made possible through volunteers, fundraising, and community support. 💙

📅 Donations accepted through May 20
📍 Drop-offs are Monday–Wednesday by appointment only

📞 608-637-8661
📧 [email protected]

Thank you for continuing to support the Viroqua Thunder and local youth hockey! 🏒⚡

Additional event details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BiyeNvsD6/

🥅 Calling all goalies! 🥅

A fun “All Goalie Game” is being organized in Sparta, and anyone can participate as long as you dress as a goalie!

Please help spread the word to players, families, and fellow hockey friends who might want to join in on the fun.

Registration/info:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJV9JMVShQqmhhL_pz8KZqRjYWaPZImwew_mlmGefu4iO14A/viewform?pli=1

🥅First ever Goalie Gauntlet. 🥅The date will be determined based on interest.

Register at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJV9JMVShQqmhhL_pz8KZqRjYWaPZImwew_mlmGefu4iO14A/viewform?usp=header