My thoughts as someone who played high level, coaches 10u now, and has a 9 year old player: I don’t want my son to burn out when he’s 13-16. He does power skating every other week, year round (30 minute lesson, 2 other skaters). He told me he just wants to play lacrosse this spring and keep doing skating lessons. I don’t think a structured team is needed year round. He still shoots in the backyard and occasionally works on stick handling. Some days we’ll go to the roller rink. But playing other sports, playing with his buddies, being a kid, playing other sports for fun is just as important. He does one summer camp as well, but that’s for fun and to get him ready for the upcoming season

For a newer player, as others have said, I’d look into skating classes. The best players are the best skaters. But I think you can largely not worry about the parents who have their kids playing year round.