Our cross ice program is designed for young players from four to 10 years old who need a program more focused on instruction and training or are looking for an alternative to a “learn to play hockey” program. It is based on a model of practicing and playing ice hockey across the ice surface rather than lengthwise along the full ice surface.

Berks Bear Cubs Cross Ice offers eight and 10-week training programs throughout the year. One-hour sessions are comprised of 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of game play. The program is designed and directed by Matt Herneisen, former Reading Royals captain. Proof of USA Hockey Membership required for all players. For helpful information on equipment and supplies for your young player, click here for a Beginner’s Guide to Outfitting your Hockey Player.   

Berks Bear Cubs Cross Ice Program has many practice and game time advantages that create an exciting and successful learning environment:

• Skating cross ice (85 feet), rather than full length of ice, gives children more energy to improve skills
• Small group sizes provides more one-on-one teaching, and more repetition and frequency in drills
• Small rink format creates feeling of being an important part of the action
• Game time format creates more puck contact and shooting opportunities
• Goalkeepers see more repetition
• Players experience increased speed in playing situations prompting quicker mental and physical reaction
• No unnecessary breaks in games for off-sides or icing means more playing time

2012 Programs

Summer Session
Days	Dates	Time	Cost	Ages
Wednesdays	June 6-27, 7/11-8/1	6:30-7:30 PM	$80	4-10
	*No Cross Ice on July 4th

*Must pre-register. No walk-ins accepted. Space is limited.

Matt Herneisen, Director of Ice Hockey
mherneisen@bodyzonesports.com | 610-376-2100 x 233

Matt Herneisen is currently Body Zone’s Director of Ice Hockey.  He oversees the facility's hockey operations which also includes serving as head coach for the Berks Bruins, running the Adult Instructional League, tournaments, camps, Cross Ice and clinics.

The Bruins field teams at the mite, squirt, peewee, bantam and midget levels. Under Herneisen’s leadership Bruins teams have won major tournaments at famous arenas such as, Pennsylvanis’s Cambria County War Memorial Arena where Slapshot was filmed, and the Olympic Arena Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. where the United States captured the 1980 gold medal. They also captured the prestigious Sea Coast Cup at the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore Center.

He played professionally as a center from 1998 through 2009. A Gilbertsville, Pa. native, Herneisen’s final two seasons were with his hometown Reading Royals where he served as captain. Prior to joining Body Zone, Herneisen was the Royals assistant coach for one season.

Herneisen went to Atlanta Thrashers rookie camp in 2002 as a free agent and followed it up with one of his best seasons. While playing with the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds of the Onatrio Hockey League, where his coach was former Flyer John Vanbiesbrouck, Herneisen finished second on the club in points (61) to former Flyer and current Los Angeles King Jeff Carter (71).

Off the ice, Matt was honored as an Outstanding Young Professional in the Community by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2012.

Contact
Matt Herneisen
Director of Ice Hockey
610-376-2100 x 233