FACE-OFF FEVER: HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

Many school districts have ice hockey teams. This gives students the ability to play for their school, have the support of their family, friends and community. Game are usually relatively close to home, and are held on week nights (including Fridays). Practice times may vary, but expect two days a week, one hour each time.

As previously stated, local leagues fall under the governance of USA Hockey. Registration with USA Hockey is required for amateur and school ice hockey. This registration gives you insurance coverage, subscription to USA Hockey Magazine, and more. Registration is currently $40.00 (2012-2013), with another $5.00 to cover state affiliate fees. Complete benefits are viewable at USAHocky.com at: https://www.usahockeyregistration.com/images/Benefits.pdf

School programs are further governed by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League, PIHL. This league sets the rules and regulations of school ice hockey teams. View the PIHL 2011-2012 Playing Rules, or browse all PIHL official files.

Schools treat their sport teams differently. School teams are either classified as a school sport, or a school club. What's the difference? As far as actual hockey played, there is obsolutely no difference. Either way, the team represents the school and are bound by all school rules and regulations. They get to wear some really cool uniforms, showing their school pride, and typically can "letter" in ice hockey!

The real difference is how much financial support the school provides to the team. Unfortunately, school districts in Western Pennsylvania do not hold ice hockey in the same regard as football. Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins are three time Stanley Cup winners, and currently roster some of the best players in the NHL, the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers provides school football with a prominence that far overshadows the real potential and following for hockey. Thus, many schools will invest many tax dollars in extensive stadiums, and fund far more of the costs associated with football - thus making football a school sport.

School clubs, while recognized as school activities, have to bear neary all the cost from their players and families. Sure, there may be fundraisers, but these only offset the costs from being even higher. Granted, ice time is expensive, but after a family funding the cost of skates, all protective gear, sticks, jerseys & socks (home and away) - there is still roughly $2,000 needed for the player's "privilege" of playing on a school team!

We have seen hit and miss with whether or not anyone "remembers" to put school clubs in the year book. Even when they remember, often times not all players are able to be in the picture together - at least at the middle school level.

Grades: Elementary up to and including 6th grade. I am not certain the PIHL has any governance over developmental teams. This may be up to the school and coaches. The PIHL may offer advice and information material/training to help these players toward an eventual spot on the freshmen team.

Grades: 6th through 8th (effective 2013-2014 season) - contrary to popular thinking, the Freshmen team has absolutely nothing to do with being a Freshmen in high school. The name simply implies the entry level school team.
Games: 3 - 12 minute periods, 2 minutes between periods, no ice cut between periods, 70 minute curfew clock starts when playesr hit the ice to warm up, no overtime period. Games can end in a tie. Body checking has been removed from game play at this level - tag up off-sides is now standard, as is no-touch icing.
Season: 16 games spaced 8 home and 8 away. Since many school districts may call the same ice rink as their home ice, you may be on your home ice a lot more than half the games.
Play Offs: Through out the season, teams accumulate 2 points for a win, 1 for a tie, and 0 for a loss. At the end of the season, tournament brackets are determined by taking the teams with the top 8 point totals - this is Division 1 for playoffs. The same continues for the next 8 down the list for Division 2, 3.......It is very possible to see teams in your playoff division that you did not play through out the season - you may need to travel to the other team's home ice....Rounds are typically single elimination.

Grades: 9th through 12th - but it is not common for 11th or 12th graders to be on the JV team, unless it is their first year of play.
Games: 3 - 12 minute periods, 2 minutes between periods, no ice cut between periods, 70 minute curfew clock starts when players hit the ice to warm up, no overtime period. Games can end in a tie. Body checking remains in game play at this level - tag up off-sides is now standard, as is no-touch icing.
Season: 16 games spaced 8 home and 8 away. Since many school districts may call the same ice rink as their home ice, you may be on your home ice a lot more than half the games.
Play Offs: Through out the season, teams accumulate 2 points for a win, 1 for a tie, and 0 for a loss. At the end of the season, tournament brackets are determined by taking the teams with the top 8 point totals - this is Division 1 for playoffs. The same continues for the next 8 down the list for Division 2, 3.......It is very possible to see teams in your playoff division that you did not play through out the season - you may need to travel to the other team's home ice....

Grades: 9th through 12th - it is not common for 9th graders to be on the varsity team, but it is not unheard of.
Games: 3 - 15 minute periods, 2 minutes between 1st and 2nd periods, ice cut between 2nd and 3rd periods, 110 minute curfew clock statrs when players hit the ice to warm up, one 5 minute overtime period. Games can end in a tie. Body checking remains in game play at this level - tag up off-sides is now standard, as is no-touch icing.
Season: 20 games spaced 10 home and 10away. Since varsity plays against teams from schools of similar size, there is more of a chance this team will need to travel in the region for some of the away games.

At the varsity level, school districts are rated a A, AA or AAA - based on the male enrollment in their school. The larger the number, the more likely your school will be in a higher bracket (AA or AAA). The reasoning is that larger schools have the ability to evaluate a larger number of potential players. In theory, choosing the best from a larger pool of potential players should lead to a better skilled team.

Play Offs: Varsity teams play with similarly skilled teams through out the season. Playoffs are based on the top teams in your division. Through out the season, teams accumulate 2 points for a win, 1 for a tie, and 0 for a loss.

Western Pennsylvania teams compete for the Penguins Cup in the play offs. The Penguins Cup winners, in each bracket A, AA, AAA play against the Flyers Cup winners from the eastern part of Pennsylvania for the State Finals.

Next Stop: Amateur/Competitive Hockey...