Your Ice Hockey Journey
You’ve Seen the Dragons Play. Now You Want to Get on the Ice.
Watching the Dragons can make anyone want to lace up a pair of skates, pick up a stick and discover ice hockey for themselves. Whether it is for you or your child, the most important first step is joining the right development pathway.
Where to Begin
The Right Starting Point
The senior Deeside Dragons team is the destination, not the beginner programme. Learning the game starts within the junior development structure.
How the Deeside Dragons Recruit Players
The senior club does not currently operate learn-to-play, novice or rookie-level sessions. Players who represent the Deeside Dragons are selected through the established junior pathway and by the club’s scouting network in the UK and the USA.
This means the senior roster is built from players who have already developed the skating, hockey knowledge, fitness and game experience needed to compete at National Ice Hockey League level.
Everyone Has to Start Somewhere
Being new to hockey is not a barrier. It simply means your first stop should be a programme designed to teach the fundamentals safely and progressively.
For children and young players in Deeside, the best place to begin is the Deeside Dragons Junior setup, run by James Parsons and Gwella.
Player Pathway
From First Skate to Game Night
Development takes time, but every player’s journey begins with the same foundations.
Learn to Skate
Build confidence, balance and control on the ice before progressing into hockey-specific skills.
Learn to Play
Develop safe skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting and an understanding of the game.
Junior Development
Train regularly, compete at the appropriate age level and continue developing under qualified coaches.
Senior Opportunities
Players who reach the required standard may progress through the pathway or be identified by senior-team scouts.
Deeside Dragons Juniors
The Best Place to Start Playing
The junior setup provides the structured route into ice hockey for young players in Deeside. It is where players learn the game, build confidence and begin developing the skills needed to progress.
Choose Your Route
Ready to Get Involved?
Select the pathway that best matches the player. Each button opens the relevant registration form in a new tab.
Junior Pathway
Junior Dragons
The main starting point for children and young players who want to learn, develop and begin their ice hockey journey in Deeside.
Open Junior Dragons FormSenior Development
Dragons NIHL 2
Register interest in the Dragons NIHL 2 pathway for players looking for senior development, competitive opportunities and progression.
Open NIHL 2 FormWomen’s Programme
Dragons Women’s
Register interest in the Dragons Women’s programme and receive the right information about joining, development and playing opportunities.
Open Women’s FormThese registration links open secure Google Forms managed by the relevant Dragons programme.
Do Not Just Watch Ice Hockey. Start Your Journey Into the Game.
Choose the pathway that best matches the player and complete the relevant registration form. For general junior information, you can also visit the Junior Dragons website.
Please note: the senior Deeside Dragons team does not directly deliver beginner, novice or rookie sessions. Enquiries about learning to play should be directed to the junior development setup.