Now in its seventh year, Gateway Youth Hockey is more popular than ever. The organization began with two teams and has grown to accommodate eight, with children of all ages participating.

“It gets stronger every year,” GYH President and coach Ben Hathaway said of the organization. More than 120 children from Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester comprise the organization's two Mite teams, two Squirt teams, two Pee-wee teams, a Midget team, and a Middle School team.

Players as young as four years old pass around a puck every Sunday morning at Tabor Academy in Marion, during the organization's Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs.

“We start out with the fundamentals of skating then introduce stick and puck,” coach Shawn Lapworth explained. Kids, who oftentimes start the program with little or no experience skating, are usually able to hold their own on the ice after four weeks, at which point the games begin.

On January 30, GYH started up its three-on-three Cross Ice games, a continuance of Learn to Skate/Learn to Play. The five-week session is slightly more advanced and gives participants the chance to get experience playing on a team before moving on to compete on other teams in the Cape and Islands League, in which GYH participates.

The Gateway staff members agree that the programs provide players with more than just hockey skills.

“All sports teach life lessons and hockey is the best for that," Lapworth said.

Teamwork, dedication, and family are at the heart of the organization. Hathaway touted the family nature of the business and gave kudos to Vice President Rick Paling and his wife, who helps organize the games.

Hathaway’s own children are among the players. He said that's common with lots of families once one child gets involved.

“My hope is the kids get as much enjoyment out of hockey as I do,” Hathaway said.

Hathaway credits “fun” as the reason why players return every season. Some who started their hockey careers with GYH when the organization launched seven years ago now continue to play for Hathaway as Vikings on the Wareham High School varsity hockey team.

Hathaway, who has been a hockey coach for more than 30 years, says coaching is about building relationships.

“My coach always told us to give back,” said Hathaway. “I’ve always kept that in mind.”