Vancouver Youth Hockey Association — Hockey

We enrolled our 6-year-old son in the Vancouver Youth Hockey Association program in Portland. The weekly sessions have been a great way for him to develop his skills while having fun. Coach Mike is fantastic—he really engages the kids and makes sure everyone feels included. My son built solid friendships with fellow players, which has been wonderful to see. However, the pickup process tends to have long lines, making it a bit chaotic at times. I also wish there were more updates communicated to us parents throughout the week. Overall, we appreciate the focus on teamwork and sportsmanship, and he’s excited to go back each week. I'd recommend this program with a few caveats about the logistics.

My son recently attended the Vancouver Youth Hockey Association program in Portland, and he had a great time. The coaches, especially Coach Jake, were genuinely engaged and made the kids feel welcomed. My son, who is usually a bit shy, really opened up and made a friend on the first day. They focused on skill development while emphasizing teamwork, which I appreciated. However, the sessions were a bit crowded, and sometimes it felt like there wasn’t enough personal attention for each child. Pickup was smooth, which is a relief when managing kids’ schedules. Overall, I think it’s a solid program, especially for active kids, but just be prepared for the hustle and bustle on weekends.