By Ryan Ernst
The Cincinnati Enquirer

With more than 75 teams and 1,000 participants, youth hockey is an increasingly popular recreation option in the Tristate, with two organizations at the forefront.

Over the past 10 years, the Northern Kentucky Youth Hockey Association and the Cincinnati Amateur Hockey Association have seen participation multiply six times through the use of instructional programs.

The two organizations also consistently field some of the top teams in the Buckeye Travel League, a competitive youth league of teams from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

For most players, however, house leagues come before traveling. Both the NKYHA and CAHA have house programs, a kind of intramural league for less-experienced players.

"We have what we call a 'Learn to Play Hockey' program where we supply the equipment except for the skates and a stick," NKYHA commissioner Hugh Miller said. "We recommend that for kids just starting out, because it teaches them the game and tells us whether or not a child wants to play, with the least amount of cost."

CAHA has a similar program.

Both programs have coaches certified by USA Hockey, the body that establishes the divisions of play from 3-6 years old (Tikes) to 15-17 years old (Midget).

As players get older and the level of commitment goes up, so does the cost. Fees alone can reach close to $800 a year at AA, the most competitive level.

"When the commitment goes up, they might be on the ice four or five times a week, and ice time costs money," Miller said. "But as far as equipment, we see a lot of kids getting a new stick, new skates for their birthdays, which cuts down on the cost a little."