About Us
DEDICATED TO GROWING GIRLS HOCKEY
Started in 2000, Shoreline Sharks Youth Hockey is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering developmental and competitive hockey programs for girls ages 3-19. It is the largest girls’ hockey program in Southern Connecticut with 270+ girls registered for the past season. We’ve built a reputation for our focus on development for all levels of play from girls new to the sport to nationally competitive players.
TRAVEL TEAMS
The Sharks field 11 - 13 travel teams each season ranging from U08 to U19, with varying levels of competitiveness from developmental to national tournament bound. Our affiliation with three leagues, including the Connecticut Girl's Hockey League (CGHL), the Connecticut Hockey Conference (CHC), and the New England Girl’s Hockey League (NEGHL) allows us to tailor the competition to the team. We are proud of our 2016-2017 U14 Black and 2017 - 2018 U16 Black teams who won USA Hockey Tier II National Championships back-to-back! In the forty years of having a girl's national championship tournament, our teams are only the 15th and 16th to win at any level.
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
Aside from team play, the Sharks offer multi-session Learn to Skate and Play Hockey Clinics that start in October and end in February. Girls from ages 4 – 19 are grouped by age and ability into the Junior Sharks (12 - 19) and Sand Sharks (4 – 11). A variety of drills, games, and scrimmages are used to build individual hockey skills and boost confidence in a fun, yet challenging environment. We’ve been recognized as a model organization by USA Hockey for our commitment to growing the sport.
GEOGRAPHY
We have expanded beyond the Shoreline with girls coming from Cheshire and Hamden to the North; Fairfield and Stratford to the West; New London to the East and most of the towns in between. Our primary practice rinks are Hamden, East Haven, and Northford.
SHARKS DIFFERENCE
Over the years, the Sharks have built a reputation built upon inclusion, community, a focus on the fundamentals, hard work, commitment, and fun. Our player-centric approach puts the skater first, delivering the appropriate level of development to take each to the next level of play. The USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) guides our structured skill and age-based instruction with an emphasis on development over winning games. Success for the Sharks is player growth – on and off the ice – and a positive experience for players and families that results in lasting memories.
OUR START
We wouldn’t exist today if it weren’t for the foresight of Co-Founders Bill Greim and Gary LaChance. In the process of launching the Guilford High School girl's hockey program, they started the Guilford Youth Hockey Association, which evolved into the Shoreline Sharks. Their shared vision and values continue to anchor our organization today. Bill and Gary have shaped girls' hockey in Connecticut; we thank them for their drive, commitment, and passion.
Bill was presented with the Gary LaChance Award by the CGHL in 2018. Look at the article highlighting Bill's achievements as an advocate for girls' hockey.
