Yuma Blaze is the competitive travel team club of Yuma Youth Hockey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to play for Yuma Blaze?
There is no registration fee, and team budgets are funded through fundraising proceeds. Each player is required to purchase a $35 sports insurance card through RHA. Uniform costs, which include home and away jerseys and pants, vary but were $135 this season (2024-2025). Families are responsible for their own travel expenses, such as fuel and lodging if needed. Additionally, if teams participate in tournaments beyond the team budget, players must cover their share of the entry fees.
How much fundraising is involved?
Each travel team player is required to participate in three financial fundraisers: Poinsettia Sales in November/December and BBQ Ticket & Raffle Ticket Sales for the tournament in March. In addition, each player is required to volunteer at the Yuma IHAAZ tournament and each team is required to volunteer at Midnight At The Oasis (MATO).
How much travel is involved?
The second IHAAZ tournament of the year, in March, is held here in Yuma. Teams can decide how many tournaments they play and where they are located. Typically, tournaments are in Southern California and Arizona and teams play 5-10 tournaments per season.
What are the age divisions?
6U*, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U* & 18U. Division is determined by age as of January 1st. Girls may play one-year down (for example, a nine-year-old girl would be eligible to play on the 8U team). A player must play the primary division to be eligible to play up. *6U and 16U teams may be offered if we can field competitive teams in these divisions.
How often are practices? Are they required?
Each team has mandatory practice 2 weekdays/week. Additional practices and/or scrimmages may be held on Saturdays.
Do I need my own equipment?
Each player should have inline skates and a hockey stick. Additionally, each participant is personally responsible to wear protective equipment for all games and warm-ups. Recommended equipment for all players is: internal mouth guard, hip pads, padded long hockey pants, chest protection, and throat protection. Mandatory equipment for players under 18 years of age is: HECC or CSA approved helmet with chin strap properly fastened, HECC or CSA approved full face mask fastened properly to the helmet, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey shin pads, protective cup or pelvic protector. Mandatory equipment for players 18 years of age and older is: Helmet designed for ice hockey with helmet strap properly fastened, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey shin pads, protective cup or pelvic protector.
Goaltenders require inline skates, a goalie stick, a blocker glove, catching glove and leg pads. It is mandatory for all goaltenders to wear a HECC or CSA approved helmet designed for hockey goaltenders with helmet strap properly fastened and a HECC or CSA approved full-face mask designed for hockey goaltenders. All goaltenders must wear chest protection. Throat protection is highly recommended.