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.
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) AA and / or at the TB (National Tournament Bound) Level.
Additional details on our travel program (including on 2025 - 2026 tryouts) are below.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR 2025 - 2026 TRYOUTS.
Note: All tryouts except the Lady Raiders will be held at Westchester Skating Academy
Lady Raider tryouts will be held at EJ Murray's
Tuesday, March 4
8U: 5:40PM - 6:40PM
10U: 6:50PM - 7:50PM
12U: 8:00pm - 9:00PM
Thursday, March 6
8U: 5:40PM - 6:40PM
10U: 6:50PM - 7:50PM
12U: 8:00pm - 9:00PM
Tuesday, April 8
16U: 5:40pm - 6:40pm (WSA)
LR: 6:15pm - 7:15pm (EJ Murray)
18U: 6:50pm - 7:50pm (WSA)
14U: 8:00pm - 9:00pm (WSA)
Wednesday, April 9
16U: 5:40pm - 6:40pm (WSA)
LR: 6:45pm - 7:45pm (EJ Murray)
18U: 6:50pm - 7:50pm (WSA)
14U: 8:00pm - 9:00pm (WSA)
Thursday, April 10 (TB / AA Callbacks)
16U: 5:40pm - 6:40pm (WSA)
18U: 6:50pm - 7:50pm (WSA)
14U: 8:00pm - 9:00pm (WSA)
For the 2025 - 2026 season, the age groups are based on the following birth years...
Travel - Co-Ed
2017 - 2020: 8U
2015 - 2016: 10U
2013 - 2014: 12U
2011 - 2012: 14U
2009 - 2010: 16U
2007 - 2008: 18U
Travel - Lady Raiders
TBD (Mixed)
Tryout Cost (for all age levels): $100
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.
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 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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our program was founded in 1996.
We are looking for players that love of the game of hockey and want to continue their skill development in a fun environment that focuses on efficient skill development .
Our program adheres to USA Hockey ADM Model which introduces young players to the game of hockey. Players will learn the basic skills needed to build a solid foundation to become a successful player on and off the ice. The ADM Model established by USA Hockey is designed specially to help kids reach their full potential.
Please click here to learn more about the ADM Model from USA Hockey.
To be eligible for our program you must :
Have an active Registration with USA Hockey for the 2025-2026 Season
Have all of protective hockey equipment as recommended by USA Hockey .
Congratulations to our U18TB Team on winning the 2023-2024 NYSAHA State Tournament. This is a great accomplishment for all players , coaches and parents . The dedication this group has showed over the years has definitely corresponded with all of their success on and off the ice . An amazing group of players and parents who will be missed .
Congratulations to all three of our Tournament Bound Teams ( 14,16,18) who have qualified to represent the Eastern District of New York in this years State Tournament . This is the first time in our28 year history that all of our teams have qualified for the state tournament in the same season. Best of luck to all the players , coaches and parents .
Our U14 TB team qualified for the 2024 NYSAHA Tournament in Buffalo this upcoming March. The team will represent the East Section as the #1 seed. The team went 3-0 in the Eastern Section tournament outscoring their opponents 19-4. Congratulations to all the players, parents and coaches on this accomplishment .
Congratulations to the U16 TB team on winning the EJEPL 16 Future 1 Division. The team is also qualified for the NYSAHA Tournament in Buffalo in March. Well done and Congratulations to all players, coaches and families on this accomplishment.
Our U18 TB team qualified for the NYSAHA Tournament this March by going undefeated in HVHL League play and securing the #1 seed in the East Section. This group is no stranger to the tournament winning the U14 , U16 State Championship each year they have represented the organization in their age group. Congratulations to all players , coaches and families on this accomplishment.
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.
The U14 Blackhawks concluded the 2022-2023 season with a Semi-Final loss at the NYSAHA Tournament . This team was a welcome surprise to the organization after not having a team at this level the previous season. The players, coaches and parents should be commended on an amazing season. Great things to come.
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 our U16 TB team on winning the Liberty Cup Classic in Philadelphia.
Next stop STATES.
SOUTH WESTCHESTER BLACKHAWKS U18 TB
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 .
SOUTH WESTCHESTER BLACKHAWKS U16 TB
Due to an open day in the schedule the U16 TB team hit the great outdoors and enjoyed a beautiful day hiking Bear Mountain. The fresh air must have agreed with the team . The team defeated a very talented Bedford team on Sunday 5-2.
The U16 and U18 teams both started the 2021 -2022 season with strong showings at local tournaments.
The U16 team played in the Doritos Midget Classic in Bridgeport , CT. The team ended up 2-1 outscoring its first two oppononets 22-1 before falling in the semi-finals 3-2 against Wonderland.
The U18 Team also had a strong showing at the ECC Labor Day Cup in Northford , CT. going 2-0-1 before falling in the semi- finals 3-2 against a strong North Carolina Golden Bear team .
All three of our teams (15AA, 16TB, 18TB ) hit the road this upcoming week to compete in the Mid- Atlantic Silver Stick tournament in Philadelphia.
ECC LABOR DAY CUP
U16 TB DORITOS MIDGET CLASSIC
ECC LABOR DAY CUP
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.
SOUTH WESTCHESTER BLACKHAWKS U14TB & U16 TB QUALIFY FOR NYSAHA TOURNAMENT
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.
Our Midget U16TB and U14TB teams both participated in the OneHockey Tournament in Hershey, PA, both in the AA divisions. After going 3-0 in the preliminary round the U16TB team fell to a determined Long Island Rebels team 5-2 in the Championship, finishing 3-1 for the weekend. The U14TB team went undefeated with a 4-0 record, clinching the win in a decisive 6-2 victory over the Long Island Gulls.
Congratulations to everyone involved in a successful weekend of hockey.
Both of our Midget teams participated in the Travel Champs Columbus Day Weekend Tournament in Hershey, PA. It was a strong showing by both teams with our U16A Team going 3-1-1 and falling in the Finals to a strong MYHA Blue Devils Team 4-2. Our U16TB Team also went 3-1-1 in a stron AA division, beating Tomorrow's Ice 2-1 in the Semi-Final in OT and beating Team Philadelphia 4-0 in the final. Congratulations to all coaches and families for working together to make this work under strict guidelines in place.
2020 TRAVEL CHAMPS U16 AA CHAMPIONS
2020 TRAVEL CHAMPS COLUMBUS DAY U16A RUNNER-UP
2019 Doritos Midget U16 Classic Champions
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.
The South Westchester Blackhawks U14 & U18 Teams finished off an amazing season by winning their respective NYSAHA State Championships. Both teams won an amazing SIX championships between them ( 3 each ) for the season. Congratulations to all of the players , coaches and families on this amazing accomplishment.
2018-19 NYSAHA U18 STATE CHAMPIONS
2018-19 NYSAHA U14 STATE CHAMPIONS
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 .