8U - 18U

Scarsdale Youth Hockey Association (‘SYHA’) and Southern Westchester Blackhawks ('SWB') are volunteer-run non-profit organizations both founded in 1996 with the primary goal to provide opportunities for co-ed children aged 6 - 18 in the greater Westchester County area to learn and play ice hockey in a safe, fun, and competitive environment.

Our co-ed travel programs play in the Hudson Valley Hockey League, with our higher skill-level teams playing in Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League (EJEPL) and / or at the TB ( Tournament Bound) Level.

Actual full 2025 - 2026 season fees will be communicated no later than the time of an offer being extended for a place on a team.

The South Westchester Blackhawks (‘SWB’) and the Scarsdale Raiders (‘SYHA’) are excited to announce a strategic partnership between our associations for the upcoming 2025 – 2026 season, as well as the intent to form a new, combined organization serving youth ice hockey players in lower Westchester. In 2026, both the South Westchester Blackhawks and the Scarsdale Raiders will celebrate their 30th Anniversaries as volunteer-run non-profits; from the start, both organizations have been committed to growing the sport of ice hockey while allowing young athletes to learn and play the game in a safe, fun, and competitive environment. We are excited about the start of a new partnership committed to these same values.

Going forward, our vision is to build on our combined history and foundation to offer the most accessible and comprehensive youth ice hockey program in lower Westchester. We will seek to provide opportunities for youth hockey players to learn the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth that is achieved through fair but tough competition. We will strive to promote fun and enjoyment, physical health and fitness, efficient skills development, high-level competitive opportunities and community engagement. More details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to SWB President Greg Zerafa (info@bronxvillehockey.com) or SYHA President Zack Kaplan (zach.kaplan@scarsdalehockey.com) with any questions. Thank you.

Where

Practice and home games locations will vary between Westchester Skating Academy and EJ Murray Memorial Skating Center. The locations of games and practices for teams will be determined once the number of teams and players are known.

Our Rinks And Locations

When

Our program runs from late-August to late-March.

We typically break for holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving, Winter Holidays, February School Break) although we offer "stick times" and other skills clinics over these holidays periods for program members.

Practices

Teams can expect to practice twice per week.

Full Season - 50 practices per season

Split Season (available at 16U and 18U levels) - 30 practices per season

Games

Teams can expect, on average, two games per weekend (one home and one away game).

Full Season - Approximately 20 home and 20 away games (including tournaments)

Split Season (available at 16U and 18U levels) - Approximately 12 home and 12 away games (including tournaments)

Jerseys

Please wear any jersey to tryouts, though plain white or dark jerseys are preferred.

Once team selections are made, more information regarding game and practice jerseys (as well as assigned numbers) will be provided.

Skill Levels (League Placement)

Team levels will determined following tryout and team selections. SYHA and SWB has teams playing at AA and TB (National Tournament Bound) all the way through HVHL B1.

Tournaments

Teams will typically play in 2 tournaments per season with travel distance typically between 2 and 5 hours from our home area. The specific tournament(s) will be proposed by the team coaches and managers once the skill of the team and the league level has been assessed.

Extra Tournament Costs

Although the organizations subsidize the cost of tournament entry for teams (two tournaments per team per season), there are lodging, transportation and meal costs that will need to be covered by each family.

Congratulations to all of our current Blackhawk players who have been named to the Super 6 Hockey and Best of the Rest list by Lo Hud Sports for the upcoming H.S. Season. 

Will Crotty - Pelham H.S. - SWB U18 - SUPER 6 

GriffIn Evans - Pelham H.S. - SWB U18 - SUPER 6

C.J. Soropoulos- Mamaroneck H.S. - SWB U18- SUPER 6 

Henry Bagley - RYE H.S . - SWB U18- BEST OF REST 

Santino Esposito- PELHAM H.S. - SWB U18 - BEST OF REST 

Zyde Karame - PELHAM H.S. - SWB U18 - BEST OF REST 

Nicholas Sannella - Stepinac H.S. - SWB U18 - BEST OF REST 

Max Tse - Rye Town / Harrison - SWB U18 - BEST OF REST 

Congratulations to our U16 team on winning the Connecticut Labor Day Showdown with an exciting 5-4 win over the Woodbridge Wolfpack, scoring in the final seconds of regulation

Congratulations to the U16 on winning the NYSAHA Tournament and going undefeated in doing so. A great accomplishment to finish off an amazing season. Congratulations to all the players, coaches and families. 

Congratulations to the Blackhawks U14TB team clinching the #1 seed in the NYSAHA East Section Tournament. Next stop the state tournament in Buffalo in March. Congratulations to all players , coaches and parents. 

Congratulations to the Blackhawks U16TB team clinching the #1 seed in the NYSAHA East Section Tournament. Next stop the state tournament in Buffalo in March. Congratulations to all players , coaches and parents. 

Congratulations to both our U14TB & U16 TB Teams on winning the 2022 Hershey Columbus Day Tournament 

Our U18 TB Team fell short of their quest to win the NYSAHA Tournament going 4-1 and falling in the finals. The team on a quick turnaround headed to Lake Placid to finish off the season at the Can/Am Challenge Cup, winning the U18 Championship. Congratulations to all our players, coaches and families on a great season. A special thanks to Coach Denis Dufresne who wrapped up a 20+ year coaching career. Denis has been an integral part of the Blackhawks success for these past twenty years. Wishing you nothing but the best.

Our U16 TB team capped off a memorable season going 4-1 in the NYSAHA Tournament before falling to eventual champion Millbrook in the finals.  A great season none the less. Congratulations to all the coaches, players, and families on a very successful season.

Congratulations to the South Westchester Blackhawks U16 & U18 teams as they both qualified to represent the Eastern District at this years NYSAHA Tournament in Buffalo .

2020-2021  U14 NYSAHA CHAMPIONS

Congratulation to our U14 Team on winning the NY State Tournament with a 4-0 win over the Rye Rangers. Great season and great committment by players, parents and coaches to achieve this goal.

2020-2021 SOUTH WESTCHESTER BLACKHAWKS U14TB

2020-2021 SOUTH WESTCHESTER BLACKHAWKS U16TB 

Congratulations to our U14TB Team as they qualified for the NYSAHAH Tournament this March in Buffalo. The team is representing the East Section as the number 1 seed going 3-0 in the section tournament outscoring their opponents 19- 4 . Congratulations to all the players , parents and coaches on this accomplishment. 

The 2019-2020 S.W. Blackhawks U16 team started the season right where they left off last season, winning the 2019 Doritos Midget Classic in Bridgeport . Great start to the season. 

Congratulations to both our U14 & U18 Tournament Bound Teams today on winning the HVHL Championship in their Divisions . The U14 team beat White Plains 5-1 and the U18 also beat White Plains 3-2 in OT. Both teams will represent the east section as the #1 seed in the months N.Y. State Tournament in Buffalo. 

Congratulations to players and coaches on the South Westchester Blackhawks U14 team  on  winning the 2018 Haunted Shootout in Marlborough , MA.  

The South Westchester Blackhawks won the 2018 Philadelphia Pre-Season Challenge  the weekend of October 5-7, 2018 . Congratulations to all  players and coaches. 

Thank you to all who attended the N.Y. Rangers Assist event at Playland . The event was a great success and could not have happened without the help of our membership, players , fundraisers and volunteers. Special thanks to the N.Y Rangers and their Alumni group .