Junior Seahawks Hockey
Vision
The Wilmington Seahawks Hockey Association (WSHA) is a non-profit, Tier 2 youth hockey program built to serve the Cape Fear region of North Carolina and beyond. Through our program, we strive to develop skilled and knowledgeable players who not only excel on the ice but also demonstrate strong leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship both on and off the ice and will have a lifelong love of the sport of hockey.
Competitive Focus
All 14U through 18U teams will have an opporunity to be National Bound to compete in the North Carolina State Championship for the right to advance to the USA Hockey Tier 2 National Championships.
Each team will be challenged through competing in either the Atlantic Coast Hockey Conference (ACHC), the Carolinas Hockey League (CHL), or other leagues deemed appropriate for individual teams. In addition, our teams will compete in professionally operated tournaments and exhibition games versus top-level competition.
Program Objectives
1. Create an environment whereby players can achieve their individual goals of improving, allowing them to go to the next level of hockey within the framework of team success through a commitment to excellence.
2. Players to represent WSHA and the community with professionalism and respect.
3. Create positive experiences, memories, & friendships that last a lifetime for the players.
4. Provide a pathway to Junior or College hockey when a player's youth hockey career is over.
Ages
Currently the Junior Seahawks field teams at the following age levels:
10U - 2016 and 2017
12U - 2014 and 2015
14U - 2012 and 2013
16U - 20010 and 2011
18U - 2008 and 2009
Affiliations
USA Hockey under the local affiliate Carolina Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA)
Atlantic Coast Hockey Conference (ACHC)
Carolina Hockey League (CHL)
When
Subject to change - the season starts approximately August 20th and the season runs through approximately March 1st.
Where
Practices and home games are held at Polar Ice Wilmington. Away games will be played throughout the east coast.
On-Ice
The goal for each team is to reach 70 total ice sessions. These sessions will be made up of a preseason camp, weekly practices as well as skill and player development sessions.
Anticipated Ice Sessions:
- 52 practices
- 13 skill sessions
Off-Ice
To be determined
Games
The goal every year is for each team to play 40+ games that mainly take place on the weekends.
Travel Locations
Anticipated locations:
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Florida
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Maryland
Tournaments
Each tournament will be selected for its prestige and value to our teams and players.
Desired characteristics:
- Quality competition
- Professionally operated
- Desirable locations
Season Costs
Season costs are on a per-team basis. As a non-profit, we only pass on to each participant the hard costs associated with each team.
Additional Costs
- Personalized, professional quality home and away jerseys
- Custom game socks
- Tournaments
- Playoffs
- Team specific warmups
- Team spirit wear
Equipment Color
All of your equipment should be the color navy. Each of the major equipment manufacturers has the color navy in their offerings.
- Pants/Shell
- Helmet
- Gloves
Frequently Asked Questions
Will each team play in A or AA?
There is an overarching issue in youth hockey with self-labeling team levels. It would be great if there was a set criterion for A or AA but unfortunately, there is not. This has led to an overemphasis on the letters as opposed to player development and competitive success. Our focus will be a customized approach so that each of our teams will play the appropriate level of competition to foster growth and development.
How many teams will be in each age group?
There is not a set amount of teams that the Junior Seahawks will fill. The number of teams will be determined by the number of athletes that are available to field a full team.
As a parent, how do I get involved?
As a non-profit organization, our biggest need is fundraising for scholarships and team support. You can reach out to your coach or the hockey director on how to get involved in fundraising.
Junior Seahawks 2026-27
Welcome to the 2026-27 travel season!
The tryout schedule is as follows: