WHO WE ARE: From first-class coaching and a commitment to excellence, the Junior Pirates are a successful Youth and Junior hockey organization. We are committed to be the best player development program in New England. From the first year of our existence (2003) it has been our philosophy to create and deliver a program that develops the WHOLE player, both on and off the ice. The Portland Junior Pirates is the ideal hockey organization for talented and committed players on the rise.
The 2008/2009 season will be the 4th year of existence for the Portland Junior Pirates youth hockey program and sixth overall for the entire organization. Over the past six years, the organization continues to change to better serve our players and their families’ expectations. With the opening of our NEW arena, we can now provide the organization with a “home” base. In addition to providing a “home arena”, this facility will also introduce a training platform that is second to none in New England. We have continued to review the hockey landscape in both Maine and Southern New Hampshire and we have come to the following conclusions;
1) Not enough hockey programs are able to emphasize the basic fundamentals and individual skill or character development and;
2) Practice schedules are subject to ice availability, which translates into inconsistent days and times and in most cases more games than practices.
3) The ratio of practices to games is well below the recommended levels established by USA Hockey and other hockey development programs.
Many programs play 2-3 games for every practice. The Portland Junior Pirates, and USA Hockey, believe that a ratio of 2 practices for every 1 game is necessary for player development. How can the Portland Jr. Pirates provide this yet other organizations can’t? It’s simple, our new arena allows us to provide consistent practice days and times for all our players. We believe that the development your child will show over the course of a season as a result of being in our program, and their commitment, will be second to none.
WHAT WE DO: The Junior Pirates do more than just build hockey players…we build character. The life lessons that we teach to our players will stay with them long after they hang up the skates. The Junior Pirates organization places a strong emphasis on skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and professionalism. Through our program we will instill a thorough understanding of and appreciation for, the sport of hockey.
WHAT WE BELIEVE: Our professional coaching staff believes in high-tempo practices that integrate every aspect of skill development for today’s hockey player. Our players are moving the entire practice at an elite level. All of our players bring with them, their “hard working” attitude into game situations. We teach our players to hold themselves accountable each and everyday, allowing them to compete at the “next level”. Our professional coaches understand the importance of improving player weaknesses and developing player strengths. With our knowledge and experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, we train our coaches to extract every individual player’s highest potential. The Junior Pirates have placed 9 players into NCAA Division I schools and 27 players into Division II and III since 2003. All of our alumni are enjoying great success.
