About CKHA

Welcome to the Central Kentucky Hockey Association. We are a community-driven youth ice hockey organization dedicated to making hockey accessible, fun, and developmental for kids of all ages and skill levels in Central Kentucky.

To promote and grow the game of hockey in Central Kentucky while fostering a lifelong love of the sport, building character in young athletes, and creating a welcoming community where every child can thrive—regardless of background or experience.

At CKHA, we follow USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM) — a philosophy centered on:

- Age-appropriate instruction - Kids learn the right skills at the right time

- Positive coaching culture - Fun, encouragement, and development come before wins

- Long-term player development - We build skaters for life, not just this season

- Inclusivity & accessibility - Everyone belongs in hockey, and we try to make it affordable

- Character building - Hockey teaches teamwork, resilience, respect, and responsibility

The Central Kentucky Hockey Association (CKHA) is the parent organization of the Lexington Thoroughbreds youth ice hockey teams. We operate from our home rink, the Lexington Ice Center, located at 560 Eureka Springs Drive in Lexington, Kentucky.

Our reach:

- Over 220 youth players in the 2023-2024 season

- Programs for ages 8U through High School

- Four competitive programs: 8U Mite House, House League, Travel Hockey, and High School

- Plus our Try Hockey for Free and Learn to Play programs introducing new players to the sport

Our community:

- 1,500+ followers across social media

- Strong collaborations with the University of Kentucky Hockey Club, Nightfall Hockey Club, and the Lexington Amateur Hockey Association

- Active parent volunteers and coaches dedicated to player development

We offer hockey programs for children from ages 8 through high school, including:

- 8U Mite House Hockey - Introduction to the game for beginners

- House League (ages 9-15) - Recreational play with multiple divisions

- Travel Hockey (competitive teams at multiple age levels with regional and national tournaments)

- High School Hockey - Competitive play through high school championships

See Getting Started for detailed program information.

- Try Hockey for Free - Annual event introducing new players to hockey at no cost

- Learn to Play - Multiple sessions a year introducing new players to the sport

- Chris Faro Memorial Fund - Financial assistance for families in need

- Goalie Clinics - Free in-season training for goalies

- Girls' Hockey Initiatives - Programs encouraging girls' participation and development

CKHA is proud to call the Lexington Ice Center (LIC) home. Located at 560 Eureka Springs Drive, LIC features two full-size ice rinks and serves as the training and competition facility for all CKHA programs.

Learn more at Lexington Ice Center

Founded on a passion for youth hockey development, CKHA has grown into one of Central Kentucky's leading youth sports organizations. Our success is built on:

- Dedicated volunteers - Parents, coaches, and community members who give their time and talents

- Strong leadership - A Board of Directors committed to sustainable growth and accessibility

- Community support - Local businesses and sponsors who believe in our mission

- Young athletes - Kids who embody the spirit of teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship

Ready to join us?

- Explore programs: See Getting Started

- Get involved: Check out Get Involvedto volunteer

- Contact us: Email our Director of Hockey at lipsett@centralkentuckyhockey.com or visit our Board of Directors page

Want to support CKHA?

- Become a sponsor: Learn about sponsorship opportunities on our [Support CKHA](link) page

- Make a donation: We gratefully accept donations to fund programs and financial assistance

Contact us at admin@centralkentuckyhockey.com or reach out to the Board at ckhaboard@centralkentuckyhockey.com