"MoDo" After-School Sessions

Swedish-inspired sessions that take place Sept-Nov. @ Chase Arena

These are designed to get Middle and HS players some extra on-ice sessions during the fall. MoDo sessions are INCLUDED with all Firehawk sign-ups, and are also available as a $100 a la carte option for players who are not on the Firehawks.

MoDo is open to ALL youth players in Grades 5-12.

We try to get the kids at least one practice per week all fall. We focus on the afternoon and early evening, since we want kids to be able to have plenty of time for homework and sleep.

Sessions usually consist of some unstructured time to play puck and stick, and then a full-ice scrimmage with line shifts based on age/ability.

Schedule is below.

Fall 2025 Schedule:

Monday 9/1 @ 5:40PM (No School in Natick)

Tuesday 9/2 @ 5:40PM

Thursday 9/11 @ 2:40PM

Thursday 9/18 @ 2:40PM

Tuesday 9/23 @ 2:40PM (No School in Natick)

Thursday 10/2 @ 2:40PM

Thursday 10/9 @ 2:40PM

Monday 10/13 @ 2:40PM (No School in Natick)

Monday 10/20 @ 2:40PM (No School in Natick)

Thursday 10/30 @ 2:40PM

Thursday 11/6 @ 2:40PM

Thursday 11/13 @ 2:40PM

Thursday 11/20 @ 2:40PM

Why "MoDo"?

It's based on how Sweden cultivates elite players at a consistently higher rate than the United States.

It starts with Sweden's hockey culture. Curious about what Victor Hedman has to say about his experience growing up in O-Vik and playing for MoDo? (which was the only team he played for prior to playing in the NHL) Or want to read about Linus Ullmark playing for MoDo for six years prior to become an NHL superstar? Here's a sneak peak:

Ullmark:

“It is insane how much pressure there is on kids these days,” he said, reflecting particularly on what he has witnessed since coming to the United States in 2015. “I mean, you are 8 years old and you have to make the team? What? You are playing hockey because it’s fun. You are not playing hockey to make a living.

“Your kid is not going to become an NHL player because he’s the best in his class at 8 years old.”

Hedman:

Until I was 14, there were no “tryouts.” If you’re born in O-vik, you play for MoDo or one of the other local teams. There are different levels, but you are never cut. When people talk about Swedish hockey, they often mention the “chemistry” of the players. But really, it’s a total philosophy of community that starts when you’re young.

I don’t ever remember any pressure to make it to the NHL, or even the Swedish Elite League. Certainly not from my parents. They just wanted me to have fun. 

So when I think about the magic of Swedish hockey, I think of one word: fun.

I just remember hockey being so much fun.

We can't promise NHL success like Ullmark and Hedman have...but we can promise an environment that will be:

• fun
• competitive
• amongst friends
• 5 minutes from your house; and
• what civic-based hockey is all about.

Victor Hedman and Linus Ullmark during their MoDo days.