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Here at the Ice House we have a place to play for players of all ages and abilities.
The easiest way to get involved in team play is to enroll in our house league,
which is known in the area as the Greater Bergen County Youth Ice Hockey League
(GBCYIHL). A "house league" is referred to as such because all games are played
at the Ice House. There is no travel involved with house league hockey. The Ice
House offers two seasons of the GBCYIHL. The Fall/Winter Season runs from the
middle of September through the middle of March with games being played on the
weekend and mid-week practices. The Spring Season runs from the middle of April
through the end of June with games played both on weekends and weekday evenings.
Both leagues have playoffs in order to determine a champion at all levels.
The Atom League is our "grass roots" program for ages 4-6. The Atom League consists
of half ice games and half ice practices with an emphasis on fun and skill development.
Half ice games enable players to handle the puck much more often than if games were
on full ice. This format also results in more shots on goal, which makes the Atom
League some of the most exciting hockey in the building. Practices are for one hour
and take place on weekday evenings. Game slots on the weekends are 45 minutes in
length. The first 15 minutes are dedicated to skating instruction, thus the games
are for thirty minutes. Line shifts last for three minutes to ensure equity in
playing time.
After the Atom level, play turns to full ice competition. Mites, ages 7 & 8, Squirts,
ages 9 & 10, Peewees, ages 11 & 12, Bantams, ages 13 & 14, and Midgets, ages 15-17
(Spring only) all compete in a two tier system in the GBCYIHL. Tier I is designed
for highly competitive team entries from town or other youth organizations. Tier II
is designed for individual applicants seeking to improve their skills and gain
valuable game experience in an environment conducive to a young player's development.
Tier II is a perfect setting for a young player's first foray into organized hockey.
Tier II is also an excellent platform for inexperienced team entries from town or
youth organizations. These players can learn necessary game concepts and skills
without being in over their heads.
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