Hockey starts right here.
For boys and girls birth year 2013 & younger — no experience needed!

(Commonly called “D League” — our Developmental League is the perfect starting point for brand-new hockey families!)

Brand new to hockey?
Review our New to Hockey page here.

Program Overview

Who: Boys & Girls, Birth Year 2013 and younger
When: August–February

• Skill Sessions: Mondays 5:15-6:00 PM & Wednesdays 5:00–5:45 PM

• Scrimmages: Saturday mornings 6:30 AM

Where: Steel Ice Center
Our Home – Learn more about Steel Ice Center here.
320 East 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Requirements: Full hockey equipment is required.

• Included: 2 Practice-style jerseys & socks (no additional uniform fees).

• Equipment not included. We recommend Play It Again Sports Allentown for gently used equipment at affordable prices.

No prior experience required!
While we recommend Learn to Skate classes at Steel Ice Center, they are not required to begin participation in Developmental League.

Program Director: Coach Keith Krem

• Coach of our 2014 AAA Team

• 20 years of coaching experience

What You Get

The first step in player development!
Players are evaluated and placed on teams by skill level, with ongoing review throughout the season.

Season Includes:

• 2 skill sessions and 1 scrimmage per week

• 18 total games

• 45+ skill sessions

• 50+ hours of on-ice development

No travel required!
All skill sessions and games take place at our home rink — Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem.

Optional:
At the end of the season, families have the opportunity to participate in an optional travel tournament (extra fee applies). This allows players and families who are interested in experiencing a travel hockey environment to do so in a fun and supportive setting.

Special Experiences:

• Visits from Melvin (mascot of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms)

• Mites on Ice game-day experience

• Phantoms player visits

Core Focus:

• Effort & Competitiveness

• Commitment & Accountability

• Respect & Sportsmanship

Scoring & Stats at the 8U Level

At the 8U level — including both Developmental League and 8U Travel — no official scores or individual statistics are recorded.

The focus at this age is on fun, confidence, and skill development — not standings or stat sheets.

This approach follows USA Hockey’s national guidelines for player development and helps create a supportive, pressure-free environment where young players can learn, take risks, and grow their love of the game.

Why Choose Developmental League?

• No experience needed — a fun, welcoming entry point into hockey

• No travel required — perfect for busy families or those new to the sport

• Be part of our growing Phamily — nearly 450 Phantoms Youth athletes!

• Highly structured, skill-focused program designed for first-time players

• Exceptional leadership from an experienced coaching staff

• A great community, with strong ties to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL

Hockey starts right here — and your family is welcome to join us!

Program Cost

• $850 for the season

• Payment options available

• Registration open through January 15, 2026

• Pro-rated rate available after November 1 for mid-season joins

Ready to Get Started?

Register Now
Contact Us

Proud Partners of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Home of Phantoms Youth — where hockey begins.