With the new hockey season commenced, the Connecticut Clippers Youth Hockey program is already making their mark at their new home, the Milford Ice Arena. 

The Clippers are a new Milford hockey franchise that offers youth hockey from ages eight to 18, and they compete in the American Hockey Federation (AHF) and Connecticut Hockey Conference (CHC).

The decision was made after the disbandment of the Southern Stars, a former Milford youth hockey program, which lasted from 1979-2024 at the Milford Ice Arena. 

Foran High School history teacher, Sarah DiGiacomo, is a manager for the organization’s PeeWee A1 Team and was a previous manager for the Southern Stars. 

DiGiacomo mentioned that JP Shimko and Brian Kim, also coaches of the Milford Mariners, have done exceptionally well when running the new program. They are also head and assistant coaches of our hockey team, the Milford Mariners. 

“The CT Clippers differ from the Southern Stars in the fact that the rink management now also operates the hockey organization. There is more communication and I feel like JP Shimko, Milford Ice Arena manager, and Brian Kim, CT Clippers Hockey Director, have a vested interest in making sure the season runs smoothly.”

Many players of the Milford Mariners compete with the Clipper teams during the fall season to prepare for the high school season. The fall-midget season lasts from early-mid September through mid November. 

Senior Nolan Fortier states, “Playing for the Clippers 18U National Team has definitely helped me improve as a player because I am playing with and against very skilled players at a high compete level and practicing two times a week for an hour and a half, which is only beneficial for my game.”

Along with two practices a week, there is a skills practice led by Dave Canfarotta, one of the main directors of the CT Clippers. Canfarotta has been involved with youth hockey programs in Milford for many years and created the DC Skills Hockey program when one enrolls with the program.

The main goal of bringing this new organization to the Milford Ice Arena is to provide youth hockey players and their families the environment and opportunities to develop as a player on and off the ice and to teach kids discipline.