Imagine a society in which 93 percent of children grow up playing organized sports. Where costs are low, the economic barriers to entry few, travel teams aren’t formed until the teenage years — and where adults don’t start sorting the weak from the strong until children have grown into their bodies and interests. Where the most promising talents become the most competitive elite athletes in the world, on a per-capita basis.

Sound impossible? It isn't.

That's what Norway does.

That's what we strive to do.

We are committed to doing everything we can to create a civic youth sport environment that promotes the overall welfare and holistic development of our athletes.

An excellent series by the Boston Globe recently asked if Massachusetts hockey has "lost it's way?"

It stated that "private money has taken over the game" and that "indoor rinks have become inaccessible to a

growing number of families."

We are dedicated to showing that civic hockey DOES exist and can THRIVE in Massachusetts. That it can be affordable for EVERYONE. There is a way.

How do we do it?

• We take a non-profit approach; the "adults in the room" aren't looking to make a buck off of the kids.
• We don't pay any league or tournament fees - we make our OWN leagues.
• We invest our money wisely; we obsess over ice utilization and player experience.
• We are volunteer run, and use volunteer coaches - often in the form of older players who learn leadership skills serving as "player mentors".
• We don't hold tryouts. We blend players of all abilities together.
• We follow the Nordic model where municipal rinks & pond hockey flourish. Where puck & stick and informal games are the primary way that players learn the sport.
• We view hockey as a lifelong sport; playing days don't have to end once a high school career is over.
• We constantly ask "how can we make this cheaper? More accessible? Better? More fun?"

And it is working.

In less than two years, we've gone from 20 to 300+ participants. We've offered hundreds of sheets of ice to our players. And we've delivered thousands of on-ice player-hours to players of all ages for FREE.

We are committed to bringing civic hockey back to Massachusetts.

Below are the 3 articles in the Boston Globe series.

Topher Scott of the Hockey Think Tank coaching Firehawk players in the Chase Cup at Agganis Arena.

It's the most fun civic-based hockey imaginable. Parents playing on the same team as their kids. Varsity players suiting up with Squirts, Pee Wees, and Bantams. Siblings who are 8 years apart playing alongside each other. It's one of many aspects of our summer Rooster program that puts player experience at the forefront.

We wouldn't call ourselves the DRYLAND Development Project without a huge emphasis on dryland sessions that build team chemistry, invasion sport concepts, and gross motor development. We do that each week during July and August at "Camp Rooster", and it features fun things like "The Rock Paper Scissors Challenge". Here's a link to a few other "Camp Rooster" highlights from MetroWest Daily News.

Topher Scott and Derek Whitmore (NHL Alum) coaching and playing in a Chase Cup game at Agganis Arena.