EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FUTURE STARS!

Detroit Skating Club - House Hockey Program. Program Feeder to USA Hockey Club (USA Eagles).

Welcome to Future Stars Hockey Program!

Teams are limited to a maximum of 24 total players.

Team For 2026-2027 Season:

• (2) 6U Teams - 2X or 3X per week.

• (1) 8U Team - 3X per week.

We are a House Program.
This is NOT travel hockey.

A Development POWERHOUSE.

• Our players SUCCESSFULLY transition into both elite and entry level travel hockey.

Player Development Pyramid:

• 1. Learn to Skate at Detroit Skating Club.

• 2. Learn to Play Hockey

• 3. 6U In-House Team.

• 4. 8U In-House Team.

• 5. Travel Hockey

Please note: players develop at different paces. A majority of our players that advanced to travel hockey early, participated in weekly Motor City Hockey training in addition to the Future Stars Program. This program is called the 6U / 8U Accelerated Program.

Program Policy:

• We follow the ALL IN policy listed throughout the website.

• Online registration is a full commitment to the program. There are no refunds due to injuries, illness or other reasons.

• The ice you are paying for is your registered team's ice. Example: I play on 6U and I am unable to attend practice at the selected time. Can I attend 8U practice instead? No, you are not registered for that hour. There are no exceptions to be fair to all players.

• We want families that are 100% committed to our program prior to registration.

• If you are deciding if you are going to play for another team, DON'T SIGN UP for Future Stars until you are 100% sure.

• Our program is in extremely high demand, we don't want to turn families away that want a spot in our program if you are not fully committed.

Our Season:

• Regular Season: September - Mid March. Games start October.

• Spring Season: Mid March - May 31st.

Jamboree / Tournament Expectations: 

• Optional jamborees and tournaments available, providing extra opportunities for skill development. These events are optional and incur an additional cost. Total cost for these events will be divided by the number of players plus a credit card processing fee. Secure your spot by registering promptly via the provided link when the event is available. 

Practice Format:

• Lead coaches will interchange every week. Coach Nick or Coach Rich.

• 50-55 minutes of practice time.

• Station format.

• Focus: Mastering the fundamentals of hockey.

Game Format:

• Half-ice 4 X 4 games.

• 1:30 second buzzer line changes.

• Half of the games are home / away.

• There is an (A) side and a (B) side. Sides are split by age/skill. Coaches will roundtable and create these sides. It is common for players to be moved around as the season progresses. There is NO negative to being on either side. This is to ensure a fair game for both teams. MCH will not tolerate complaints about A and B side splits.

• Games are instructed by our volunteer coaching staff.

• Missing a game? No big deal! Simply update TeamSnap so our coaches know.

Game Days:

• Fall / Winter: Games are on Sunday mornings.

6U Future Stars Team Schedule:

• Practice schedules are dependent on each family’s registration choice.

• Saturday 9:25AM Rink A

• Sunday Rotating Schedule: 9:10AM and 10:10AM Rink C

• Monday 6:10PM Rink C

8U Future Stars Team Schedule:

• Saturday 10:15AM Rink A

• Sunday 11:10AM Rink C

• Monday 7:05PM Rink C

Jerseys:

• Fall / Winter - Reversible jerseys with names on the back and selected numbers.

• Spring - STARZY jerseys, identical to fall/winter season jerseys. Must be returned at the end of the spring season.

League Participation:

• I275 House League

• Away games are relatively local: Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Orchard Lake, Birmingham etc.

Program Popularity:

• Our program is in HIGH DEMAND and sells out fast.

• We are looking for great families that will bring value to our culture.

Zero Drama Environment.

• Zero Tolerance.

• Our mission is to protect our players love for the game of hockey.

Cultural Values:

• Kid First Mentality.

• We are a hockey family, if a player needs help, we all step in.

• "I coach the kids as if they are my own son or daughter.” - Coach Rich

Communication Method:

• Questions are addressed via email only. Time at the rink is exclusively focused on the kids.

Stay Informed:

• Read your email.

• Update TeamSnap.

• Sign up for the "1st to Know" Email List.

USA Hockey Registration

All players are required to register with USA Hockey. Click here to register.

Interested In Coaching?

We are looking for volunteer coaches! Send an email to team@motorcityhockey.com with your coaching number.

GAME DAY OPERATIONS

Coach Nick will set up assignments for goaltending, snack and scoreboard duties.

Goalie Policy

• NO EXPECTATIONS on performance. Simply HAVE FUN!

• If you are assigned goalie and you don't want to play it. . . It's your responsibility to find someone to play goalie in your spot.

Goalie Equipment

• Home Event - No Action Required. Grab the gear prior to the game.

• Away Event - You are responsible to take the goalie equipment to the away game and bring it back after.

• Where is the goalie equipment? Rink (A) Far right rink if looking at DSC head on. Walk into the rink, it's in the top left corner if you are looking at the rink head on. Right next to the double exit doors. Goalie equipment is in a bag. Goalie sticks are on the wall.

• Goalie Checklist: Blocker, Glove, Leg Pads, Stick.

Snack Allergy Awareness

Tree Nuts.

Snack List Examples

Please provide snack and drink for 24 players. An example of a snack would be (Snack) Pirates Booty Bags (Drink) mini-Gatorades. 

Food and snack will be handed out by the designated family post game.

Due to the amount of games, not all families were given the opportunity to participate. If you would like to bring something special in for the kids for a practice day etc. It is highly encouraged and appreciated. 

Travel Teams Are Formed by Volunteers

Travel teams within our affiliated organizations are formed by volunteer coaches and volunteer team managers.

Family sponsorship opportunities are available for families interested in funding professional coaching.
For information, contact Team@MotorCityHockey.com.

Players Will NEVER Outgrow Motor City Hockey

Our Future Stars house program currently goes through 8U, but Motor City Hockey offers advanced training programs for players well beyond house hockey.

Our current training programs serve players through approximately 19 years old, including travel, advanced and high-level players.

Travel Hockey Transparency

• Travel hockey is not for everyone, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

• Players develop and become ready for travel hockey at different ages and at different speeds.

• A player moving to travel hockey one year earlier than another player does not mean that player will ultimately become the better hockey player.

• Development is not a race. Every player progresses differently.

• There is nothing wrong with aging out of 8U house hockey before moving into travel hockey.

For example, Coach Rich's nephew Isaac played with the Future Stars and aged out of 8U before moving into travel hockey. Isaac now plays at the Howe 1 travel level and is progressing toward the Yzerman level, which sits directly below AAA hockey.

USA Hockey Club Affiliation

Future Stars is the house affiliate of USA Hockey Club.

How USA Eagles Travel Teams Are Formed

To begin forming a USA Eagles travel team, we need:

1. A Volunteer Head Coach

2. A Volunteer Team Manager

If a family is interested in sponsoring or funding a professional head coach, please contact Team@MotorCityHockey.com.

When Should the Team-Formation Process Begin?

Planning should begin during the season before the intended travel season.

For example, if we are currently in the 2025–2026 hockey season, the process for forming a team for Spring 2026 and the following season should begin during that time.

Once a Head Coach and Team Manager have committed, the Future Stars Manager will help bridge communication with USA Hockey Club so the process can begin.

Steps to Form a Travel Team

1. Confirm a Volunteer Head Coach and Team Manager.

2. Contact the Future Stars Team Manager.

3. Meet with the President of USA Hockey Club to discuss and confirm the team/franchise for the selected birth year.

After the Team Is Approved

Once the team/franchise is approved by USA Hockey Club:

1. The Travel Head Coach and Team Manager take responsibility for operating the team. Future Stars will help distribute information to our families, but travel-team duties are handled by the team's coaching and management staff.

2. Establish and schedule team interest skates.

3. The Future Stars Team Manager can distribute information through TeamSnap so interested Future Stars players are aware of the opportunity.

4. Hold travel hockey tryouts.

Travel hockey is competitive. A roster position is not guaranteed. Players must try out and earn a spot on the team.

Motor City Hockey Professional Coaching Support

Motor City Hockey can provide professional coaching and training support for travel-team practices and games.

If a team chooses this option, a budget must be established for professional instruction. The cost may be:

• Divided among participating families, or

• Covered through a private family/team sponsorship.

Motor City Hockey trainers do not travel to away events unless arrangements are made and agreed upon in advance.

For coaching availability, pricing and additional information, contact Team@MotorCityHockey.com.