paveleck@ihldt.UUCP (Bob Paveleck) (10/01/84)
I'd like some information from any net.sport.hockey readers on the National Novice Hockey League (NNHL). I recently spotted an ad for this organization in the Chicago Tribune sports section, called the number mentioned in the ad, and received a brochure. The reason for my interest in NNHL was that it claims to be a league in which adults who have played little or no hockey (and have little or no skating experience) can learn basic skills and participate in games with competition of similar ability. I have been playing hockey occasionally with some friends (most of whom have some hockey experience) for a couple of years now, and since I'm both a poor player and skater (but enjoy the game anyway), I thought the NNHL might be a good deal. The brochure says that you get 16-20 sessions as a beginner, with the first 8 being very basic skating-playing instruction and the remainder consisting of actual game play. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with this organization (is it worthwhile, are instructors good, etc.). The Chicago-area branches are just opening (NNHL apparently has branches in the California Bay area, Colorado and St. Louis, among other places), so I can't ask any local hockey aficionados about it. Thanks in advance, Bob Paveleck ihldt!paveleck
citrin@ucbvax.ARPA (Wayne Citrin) (10/06/84)
I would respond directly, but I think that other people might be interested in this. I've skated in the NNHL in the SF Bay area since the league openned here. This will be my third season. I'm almost completely satisfied with the league. I'd been a fan for years and could skate reasonably well, but I had never played and had no hope of ever learning. I responded to the ad, joined the league, and went through 8 weekly sessions of hockey school before playing 8 games. I would guess that about half of the players at the school could not skate, but most have become fairly proficient. The coaching at the school was quite good, but it depends on who's available in the area to teach. The coaching of the teams themselves is uneven, depending on the ability and personality of the coach your team is assigned. We were lucky to start with a good coach. As for the team, we didn't know each other a few years ago, but we've become good friends and the team has improved each year. Last year we were second in our division and this year we're looking for the championship. I love playing in the NNHL and my experience has enabled me to join the university ice hockey club, which is a much higher level of play than the NNHL, as well as other pick-up games of varying levels, including checking and slap shot games (unlike the league games). I would say that the NNHL has at least tripled the size of the ice hockey community in the Bay Area. I just have a few complaints about the league. The league administration in LA is a bit inefficient, although the local league administration (made up of local members) is just fine. The price of $238/season ( > $10/game over a 21 game season) is more expensive than the equivalent number of pickup games would be. Ice time in the Bay Area is at a premium (only 5 hockey rinks in the area as opposed to over 35 around Chicago) and most of the games have to be played after 10PM. Some people think that the league emphasizes the competitive aspect over the recreational and educational aspects, but I don't think so. I like the competition and I enjoy winning. There are times, however, when I'd just like to deliver a good body check. If you want to learn to play hockey, definitely join the league. Wayne Citrin Captain - Berkeley Griffins (ucbvax!citrin)