Frequently asked

Our flagship summer program: pods of 8 players grouped by age and level, three hours on-ice and three hours off-ice each week, split evenly between skating, stickhandling, and shooting. 2027 pods run June 14 to August 19.

Fill out the pod request form by November 15. We build pods from the requests, then send schedules and registration through the Member Portal shortly after the deadline.

Yes, put their names on the request form. We keep friend requests together whenever age and level line up.

BTP is Centennial Youth Hockey's primary off-ice skill development partner. Starting each October, Centennial players get BTP sessions as part of their association season. There's no separate sign-up; families just need a family account and a signed waiver.

Yes. Winter private lessons and small groups are by appointment. Email betweenthepineshockey@gmail.com with the player's age and what they want to work on.

Our sweet spot is 8U through 9th grade, boys and girls. Mites get their own program; older players are welcome in private lessons and small groups.

Create a family account in the Member Portal, add your players, sign the waiver, then pick a program in the portal store.

Open programs show their price in the portal store. If a program isn't listed yet or doesn't show a price, email us and we'll send it. Shot analysis is $75 for 30 minutes.

Yes, one per player per season, signed online in the portal. It covers on-ice and off-ice training, including BTP Strength powered by Charity. It takes about two minutes.

Contact us before the program starts and we'll work with you. Once a pod or session block has started, credits toward future programs are the usual solution.

Usually, yes. The IRS treats day camps, including sports camps and half-day camps, as child care. Overnight camps don't count. The child must be under 13, and the camp has to let you (and your spouse, if married) work or look for work. For 2026 the federal credit covers up to 50% of qualifying costs, phasing down to 20% at higher incomes, on up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more. Minnesota has its own dependent care credit on top of that, and Dependent Care FSAs can pay for camp too (the 2026 FSA limit is $7,500). We're not tax advisors, so check with your preparer.

Form 2441 asks for the provider's name, address and Tax ID (EIN), plus the amount paid. We'll send you a receipt with all of that, your player's name and the program dates, or a signed Form W-10 if your FSA or preparer needs one. Request tax documents

Winter Training with Centennial, Cougar Academy, private lessons and small groups are instruction, not child care, so they generally don't qualify. Summer Pods and Fall Boost Camp run as day camps and are the ones to ask your preparer about.

7860 Lake Dr, Lino Lakes, MN 55014, inside Twin Cities Sports Shop. Park out front, come through the shop, and you'll find us in back. Ice sessions run at Centennial Sports Arena and Super Rink.

We don't keep set hours. The facility is open whenever programming is running and by appointment for lessons, small groups, and rentals.

Yes. Email us and we'll set a time while a session is running so you can see how it works.

Shoes, gloves, and a stick. Full gear is only needed for ice sessions.

Yes, for team off-ice sessions and hockey parties. Details on rentals →