FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…

Who are the Bakersfield Dragons & what is their purpose?

Do the Dragons play in a league?

Why play travel hockey?

What are the misconceptions about travel hockey?

How do I participate?

What is the travel commitment? 

How much does it cost and is there financial assistance?

 

Who are the Bakersfield Dragons & what is their purpose?

The Kern County Hockey Club was founded as a Nonprofit Corporation in the summer of 1997 in Bakersfield California. In its first year of existence the club had one Bantam team known as the Bakersfield Jr. Fog. After the first season the club added a team at the Squirt, Peewee and Midget level and changed the team names to the Bakersfield Dragons. The Purposes of the club are:

a) to provide recreational, athletic and educational opportunities for youth under 18 years of age and learn the skills and to play the game of ice hockey, consistent with the principles established by USA Hockey, California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association (SCAHA);

b) to encourage and foster participation in the sport of ice hockey at all levels of age and ability;

c) to develop character and sportsmanship among all players for the betterment of their physical and social well-being;

d) to operate the Club consistent with the purposes of a public benefit, nonprofit;

e) and to remain nonprofit, nonsectarian and nonpartisan.

 

Do the Dragons play in a league?

Yes, the Dragons are a member organization of the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association (SCAHA) and governed by the rules and guidelines of SCAHA, California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), and by USA Hockey, the national governing body for amateur hockey. The SCAHA league has member teams throughout Southern California.

 

Why play travel hockey?

There are a variety of reasons to play travel hockey. The DRAGONS are committed to offering an environment with the following goals in mind:

Seek Better Competition – play a variety of teams throughout southern California at a competitive level. This is done through membership in SCAHA at skill levels defined as B, A, or AA, and the nationally designated age levels that allow organized teams to compete with players of similar age and skill.

Improve Your Skills – being on the ice more frequently in a focused training environment promotes more rapid skill development. Most SCAHA teams practice twice per week and play one game per week.  Practices begin in August of each year, games begin in September and end in March of the following year (post season extends into April).

USA Hockey Certified Coaching – USA Hockey requires that all head and assistant coaches are certified annually at both the age and skill level they are coaching.

High School and College Opportunities – Travel hockey players have the background needed to pursue a higher level of play, including Junior and collegiate hockey. The Dragons organization has had players go on to both Junior and collegiate hockey, including international play.

 

What are the misconceptions about travel hockey?

There are many myths regarding travel hockey, including significant travel and expense. The organization is committed to the development of players and the value of the team travel experience. We are fortunate to be part of a league with a wealth of strong youth hockey clubs that provide our teams with great regional competition.

Travel Too Far – Away games are within a 2-4 hour travel radius for the most part. Home games are at the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center in Bakersfield, CA, and the furthest games will be played in San Diego.

Too Many Trips – The league strives to provide each club with a home game schedule of approximately 50% home games per club, per season. Generally teams either travel to one away game or play one home game on a weekend, although exceptions can occur when the schedule requires it.

My son/daughter is not good enough – SCAHA youth hockey offers three levels of competitive play, with the goal that each and every player will improve throughout each season. Every year, new players are added to the travel program. Players should not assume they are not qualified to play travel hockey.

Ice hockey conflicts with other sports – Many sport seasons overlap, and ice hockey is a long season.  However, many Dragons also play soccer, football or baseball throughout the hockey season.  While it is sometimes difficult to juggle more than one youth sport, participation in other activities is strongly encouraged for player development.

There are many other questions about travel hockey that can be answered in the Tryout FAQ that is available in May of each season, prior to tryouts. Check back in May for next season’s information.

 

How do I Participate?

When & How: SCAHA travel hockey follows a strict tryout schedule and program that follows the USA Hockey annual calendar (June to June).  Tryouts are held the fourth weekend in June of each year.  The tryout schedules will be posted in the first part of June both on the website and at the home rink.  For more information and questions regarding tryouts, please contact registrar@dragonhockey.com.

Signing: Players who are offered a Letter of Intent to sign with the club for the coming season must make that commitment prior to leaving the rink when they letter is offered.  A deposit is required, as well as other fees for uniform orders.  Parents or guardians of minor age players must be prepared to provide insurance information, a birth certificate for new players, and proof of country of birth if outside of the U.S., when signing the contract.  If a player leaves the rink without signing a contract the offer is void.  Only completion of the paperwork and the deposit will guarantee a roster spot for a player.

 

What is the travel commitment?

SCAHA member teams are located from Bakersfield, CA. to San Diego,CA. Most away games are scheduled to accommodate a trip down and back in the same day. A typical weekend will include either a home or one away game. Rare occasions will require 2 games in a weekend. The league schedule tries to provide approximately 50% home game slots for each club, each season.

 

How much does it cost and is there financial assistance?

Travel hockey is not a cheap sport. Not only does it require normal costs for fuel, food and hotels for travel when required, it also involves costs associated with coaching fees, officiating and scorekeeping fees, and ice time rentals.

There are financial assistance opportunities available:

•  SCAHA Scholarships - SCAHA makes a limited number of scholarships available based on need.  Please visit www.scaha.com for more information.

•  Brannstrom Memorial Scholarship - A scholarship named and funded in memory of Marcus Brannstrom, an original Dragon club member.  This scholarship is made available based on need, written essay & potential interview of the applicant.  This scholarship is awarded SOLELY upon review and determination by the Brannstrom family; not by the Dragon Board of Directors. Karl Marcus Brannstrom Scholarship Application.

•  Fundraising: The KCHC has many fundraising opportunities throughout the year.  These fundraisers allow families an opportunity to reduce the costs of playing travel hockey.

•  Multi-player Discounts:  Families with more than one Dragon receive a 10% discount per player for each additional player.

For other questions, please email info@dragonhockey.com, or feel free to contact any Board Member listed on the web site.