OK, I just spent the last 5 minutes typing stuff up and hit the wrong couple buttons and lost it all.
SO, what OP said and this:
I have had one person here acting as my hockey parent mentor since she has been through it. You know who you are and I thank you thank you thank you for it.
you have a couple options to consider. Inhouse or travel. I just got the in house e-mail from the VIC and it's $390.00 for 10 weeks. not a bad price for 20 hours of ice time, a jersey and coaching.
option 2: classes. I would start here. Beginning classes and more ice time then move to a hockey 101 class weekly along with just going to public sessions. ice time ice time ice time. Stickhandeling is something he should start OFF ICE. it will come to him better on ice if he practices off ice.
option 3: if he gets good and really enjoys it then it's travel hockey time. only do this is you love being at the rink and love spending money. j/k Last year for mites it was $2,300.00 for the team and they had a developemental group they are preparing to play on the team next year. They payed $1,700.00 and did everything the team did except for played in the games. This is a very expensive sport and can get into the 10s of thousands as he gets older.
travel hockey=drama
Key to starting in this sport is ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time ice time.
If he decides he wants to be a goalie like my son then look to spend a hell of a lot more on equipment BUT a lot of places let goalies skate for free or discount rates due to not being as many goaltenders out there.
Good luck.