What is the Valencia Express?
The Valencia Express is a travel hockey program. The mission of the Valencia Travel hockey program is to provide an environment that emphasizes player development, sportsmanship, citizenship, integrity, and fun. Along with these endeavors is the pursuit of the highest-level teams as possible in all divisions. The Express hockey program further emphasizes discipline and teamwork in a competitive atmosphere. It is the goal of the Valencia Express hockey program to provide each player a positive, memorable hockey experience to carry with them throughout their life.
Does the Express play in a league?
Yes, the Express is a member organization of the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association (SCAHA) and governed by the rules and guidelines of SCAHA, California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) as set by USA Hockey, the national governing body for amateur hockey. SCAHA has member teams throughout Southern California.
What is my travel commitment?
SCAHA member teams are, for the most part, within 2 hours of our home rink. The schedule is set with home and away travel in mind. A typical weekend will include either a home or one away game. Rare occasions dictate 2 away games or 2 home games on a weekend. The schedule is set to have member teams home for 50% of games. Most games will be scheduled on Sundays. There are 4 preseason games and about 16 regular season games. The season runs from September to February. Teams that make the play-offs will play through March.
Why play travel hockey?
There are a variety of reasons for playing travel hockey. Among them are:
Seek Better Competition - play a variety of teams at a competitive level comparable to our member teams. This is done thru membership in the SCAHA at skill level grades (AA, A, B) and age levels that allow organization teams to compete with kids of similar age and skill.
Improve Your Skills - being on the ice more frequently helps develop skills. For example, all current teams practice twice per week and play 1-2 games per week. Practices are scheduled to be as consistent with the same practice day and time from September through February. There is usually one practice during the week and one on the weekend.
USA Hockey Certified Coaching - USA Hockey certifies all our coaches at required coaching classes. Head coaches hold advanced coaching certification.
What other commitments will I have to make?
Tournaments occur at various times throughout the season, usually on holidays such as, but not limited to: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King weekend, and President's Day. Travel decisions are made on a team basis and Club’s players are expected to participate.