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History of Ice Jets Hockey

Skills for ice. Skills for life.

The Ice Jets Hockey Association (IJHA) began operation in 2002 built on a foundation of exceptional training and exceptional coaching. The association has enjoyed tremendous success winning multiple AAA and AA tournaments, State Championships, Rocky Mountain District Championships and is still the only hockey association in Texas to win both a Tier I and Tier II National Championship.

In addition to winning, we are most proud of having developed and helping advance numerous players to Junior and College hockey. Our strong history of successful training, development and player advancement has now progressed and taken another step forward in developing the Ice Jets Academy (IJA). Both the Ice Jets Hockey Association and Ice Jets Academy offer players the very best in training and development with our seamless teaching philosophy and system of training. No other program in Texas offers such a diverse training opportunity that accelerates growth both on and off the ice - we are proud to offer our program of “Skills for ice. Skills for life.”

Experience that matters
Our coaches are trained professionals who have a passion for teaching the game. From our appearances, attitudes, communication and training methods, we offer the utmost professionalism and leadership to our players and families. We have a staff that has more than 300 years of combined playing and coaching experience. Our coaches have played AAA hockey, Junior A, College and Professional and know what it takes to play at a high level. Although our playing experience gives our coaches a great advantage, we combine it with the ability to impart that playing knowledge to our players for an accelerated learning experience. We have been trained by one of the greatest physiologists and hockey minds in the game - Dr. Jack Blatherwick (Washington Capitals and USA Olympic coach) - and we continue to study the latest trends in athletic science and biomechanics to give our players the greatest training advantages.

Ice Jets program benefits

  • High-performance hockey training program (on-ice/off-ice)
  • Character development
  • Consistent practice schedule offering both on-ice and off-ice each training session
  • Participation in local hockey league (NTXHL)
  • Convenient location (Polar Ice House at Grapevine Mills Mall)
  • State-of-the-art hockey facilities
  • Professional coaches with more than 300 years combined playing and coaching experience.
  • Professional goalie coach
  • Strength and conditioning coach
  • Highly-competitive teams
  • Parent-volunteer opportunities
  • Family atmosphere.
     

Ice Jets USA Hockey 12U Tier I National Champions


Ice Jets 2010 USA Hockey 18U <br> 2A Tier II National Champions

The Ice Jets difference

Ice Jets philsophies
The Ice Jets have built a strong commitment to player development both on and off the ice from day one. When we began in 2002 we started with an off-season “Spring Program” that was built solely for the purpose of making players better. Nine years later we still hold to that mission and commitment. Our philosophy has always been based upon the premise that team success flows from individual success. Our belief is the better we develop the individual player the more success we will enjoy as a team. Having been the only program in Texas to both win a Tier 1 and Tier 2 USA Hockey National Championship, we believe our focus to individual development proves its value. Off the ice we make player development our priority also. The Ice Jets make a commitment to all players who put on our jersey to provide the leadership they deserve. Being a great hockey player is only part of the equation. We believe in life skill teaching and character development as an important part of our program and we do what it takes to make a player’s experience challenging, successful and rewarding as we understand the importance of learning life lessons, through hockey experiences.
 
Training players to be their best
Ice Jets training is unlike all others. A bold statement? Yes. But true. We have been the pioneers in training for more than eight years introducing off-season programs, professional coaching, off-ice training programs, off-ice training facilities, and now a hockey academy. Although some may misconstrue our claims as arrogance, it's truly quantifiable if you have been around the local youth hockey community for any length of time. We also make this claim because training is what we built the foundation of our program around - it's what we place the highest premium on. Some programs are built on winning, some on having fun, some on low costs; the Ice Jets live to train and make players the best they were trained to be. It is our belief that the “heartbeat” of development revolves around the training system.
 
Moving to the “next level”
The Ice Jets are proud to have developed so many players who have moved on to experience Junior and College hockey and some who are currently on the NHL draft list. We know other local programs claim they have also developed players who have experienced success at higher levels - and this is true. But what we know is different about the Ice Jets is most of the players that we have developed and advance participated in our program for a duration of five to eight years. They entrusted us with their future and careers and we delivered on what we promised them. Our promise to our graduates is the same promise we make to each and every player we train today. Train deliberately in our program using our unique system of training over an extended period without taking any shortcuts and you will give yourself a great opportunity to play at a higher level.
 
Why choose the Ice Jets?
We understand players have plenty of choices where they can lace up their skates. We want all of the families to know that we welcome you to visit our program. This is an invitation to meet with Directors Paul Taylor and Karson Kaebel so you can get the answers to the questions that are most important to you and your child. We believe if you take the time to meet with us and compare our Ice Jets hockey program to others you will be impressed with what we have to offer. Whether your child is a Mite looking to take his first steps in organized hockey or a Midget player who wants a strong finish to his youth hockey career, we would like to meet with you and explain firsthand how the Ice Jets can serve you best.