Youth hockey roller and/or ice (Levittown, Bethpage: section 8, house, public schools)

[coachingmachine]

I am interested in signing my 9 yr old son up for an ice or roller league. He has done some camps and clinics for both. He is on the small side but can skate and play. I am hoping for any info from parents with kids in Skatesafe, Nassau County, Twin Rinks or other house leagues (mites/squirts) and what they think. Roller is Friday nights which is very convenient (and less expensive) along with some weeknight ice clinics he can do. Ice is a tougher commitment with Saturday AND Sunday games every week (how do people do it?!). I don't care about travel or hardcore advancement. He has a lot of other interests but likes hockey. Just want him to get to compete and enjoy the game. I played roller many years and transitioned to ice easily. I also see that the schools do not have individual teams but town teams and the HS (or HS's) has both an ice and roller hockey JV and Varsity. Weird. Probably just talking to myself out loud but any info/opinions are appreciated. Thanks.

[ovi8]

I transitioned from roller (skatesafe) to ice (Hockey LI) a few years ago myself (should've done it from the beginning, honestly) and have my kids in ice programs at Bethpage. They're not on teams yet at age 6 but I do know The Rinx program out of Bethpage does leagues. I am p/t coaching the Future Rangers program there now too, but it's more skill development & drills rather than league games. The town of oyster bay is also getting serious about their hockey program as it just switched from the parks department over to its own program with teams and everything. My kids are doing that plus Future Rangers for 3 times a week.

Twin Rinks is the most expensive ice on the island, but their facilities are top notch and programs are undoubtedly well run. If you want to spend the money, that's probably your best bet. Also, I don't know much about them, but these guys are out of Cantiague Park: http://www.nassaucountyhockey.com/ My advice though is to spectate and talk to the parents at various places.

HS - definitely teams for each school. The catholic/prep schools are pretty serious about it. When I was in school, I believe it was just 1 team rather than jv/varsity. Not enough participants I suppose, but the sport has grown tremendously.

All I'm looking to do for my kids is to at least play at a rec level and one day play alongside me. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to commit to travel and tournaments or 530am practices either. 730a is tough enough right now, for age 6. Saturday and Sunday games aren't that bad - kids have soccer and other things on weekends all the time. It only gets tough when you pop out more kids and end up with more commitments. I'm REALLY glad I have same-age kids.

[agw123]

Originally Posted by ovi8

I transitioned from roller (skatesafe) to ice (Hockey LI) a few years ago myself (should've done it from the beginning, honestly) and have my kids in ice programs at Bethpage. They're not on teams yet at age 6 but I do know The Rinx program out of Bethpage does leagues. I am p/t coaching the Future Rangers program there now too, but it's more skill development & drills rather than league games. The town of oyster bay is also getting serious about their hockey program as it just switched from the parks department over to its own program with teams and everything. My kids are doing that plus Future Rangers for 3 times a week.

Twin Rinks is the most expensive ice on the island, but their facilities are top notch and programs are undoubtedly well run. If you want to spend the money, that's probably your best bet. Also, I don't know much about them, but these guys are out of Cantiague Park: Nassau County Hockey My advice though is to spectate and talk to the parents at various places.

HS - definitely teams for each school. The catholic/prep schools are pretty serious about it. When I was in school, I believe it was just 1 team rather than jv/varsity. Not enough participants I suppose, but the sport has grown tremendously.

All I'm looking to do for my kids is to at least play at a rec level and one day play alongside me. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to commit to travel and tournaments or 530am practices either. 730a is tough enough right now, for age 6. Saturday and Sunday games aren't that bad - kids have soccer and other things on weekends all the time. It only gets tough when you pop out more kids and end up with more commitments. I'm REALLY glad I have same-age kids.

Public Schools on LI dont have JV/Varsity teams because Section 8 (nassau) and Section 11 (suffolk) which governs HS sports for public schools do not sanction ice hockey as a sport. Upstate sections do sanction ice hockey, just not section 8 and 11. What you see here are "club" teams managed either as a true school club or thru independent youth sport non-profits.

[ovi8]

Originally Posted by agw123

Public Schools on LI dont have JV/Varsity teams because Section 8 (nassau) and Section 11 (suffolk) which governs HS sports for public schools do not sanction ice hockey as a sport. Upstate sections do sanction ice hockey, just not section 8 and 11. What you see here are "club" teams managed either as a true school club or thru independent youth sport non-profits.

Curious - what does this mean in terms of loss of perks/funding/sponsorship/travel?

[coachingmachine]

Originally Posted by agw123

Public Schools on LI dont have JV/Varsity teams because Section 8 (nassau) and Section 11 (suffolk) which governs HS sports for public schools do not sanction ice hockey as a sport. Upstate sections do sanction ice hockey, just not section 8 and 11. What you see here are "club" teams managed either as a true school club or thru independent youth sport non-profits.

I wasn't aware of the back story but that is very interesting. Thanks for the info. Wondered why for example there was a Levittown team but not a MacArthur or a Division team.

Originally Posted by ovi8

I transitioned from roller (skatesafe) to ice (Hockey LI) a few years ago myself (should've done it from the beginning, honestly) and have my kids in ice programs at Bethpage. They're not on teams yet at age 6 but I do know The Rinx program out of Bethpage does leagues. I am p/t coaching the Future Rangers program there now too, but it's more skill development & drills rather than league games. The town of oyster bay is also getting serious about their hockey program as it just switched from the parks department over to its own program with teams and everything. My kids are doing that plus Future Rangers for 3 times a week.

All I'm looking to do for my kids is to at least play at a rec level and one day play alongside me. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to commit to travel and tournaments or 530am practices either. 730a is tough enough right now, for age 6. Saturday and Sunday games aren't that bad - kids have soccer and other things on weekends all the time. It only gets tough when you pop out more kids and end up with more commitments. I'm REALLY glad I have same-age kids.

My son did a few weeks of summer camp and Future Rangers at Bethpage but despite posting it every season they never have a youth league, just clinics. Ed has told me they just don't get enough to make teams. I wish they would. Bethpage is a great facility. What Oyster bay league did you find?

Nassau is Sat and Suns and plays at Cantiague and Twin Rinks ($480 per season). Twin Rinks also Sat (morns) and Suns (eves) but just at Twin Rinks. $565 for a season!! Ouch! I know realistically the minute I pay that much every weekend will be busy with other obligations. I'm thinking keep him in skills clinics on ice and let him do roller for competition. Seems the most flexible and least expensive and roller is actually a little bit better workout. He's not going to keep up with the travel kids anyway. Like you said, it's just for fun and rec. If he falls in love with it and wants to get more serious, I guess we can. Good luck. See you at the Rinx.

[agw123]

Originally Posted by ovi8

Curious - what does this mean in terms of loss of perks/funding/sponsorship/travel?

Well honestly college recruiters will look at private youth leagues and club sports generally if they are sanctioned from a major governing body.

For example. Varsity Swimming is 8 weeks long. No one is getting scholarships on that.
Most swimmers participate in club swimming run by non-profit clubs running all year long, but these clubs are sanctioned and approved by USA Swimming, the national governing body for the Olympics.

Ice hockey club and non-profit teams are generally sanctioned and approved by USA Hockey, the national governing body for the Olympics.

NCAA has working relationships with all the national governing bodies so recruiters will look at these kids.

As far as funding/travel, the parents are paying out of pocket

[CoachChic]

Originally Posted by agw123

Well honestly college recruiters will look at private youth leagues and club sports generally if they are sanctioned from a major governing body.

Although things change with time, "recruiters" nowadays mainly get their talent from Junior hockey. (Actually, it's gone back and forth between high schools/prep schools and Juniors a few times during my 40-years in the game.)

When I head coached in college (about 15-years ago), we scoured high schools and preps. My friends still coaching at that level tell me today, though, that they won't even look at a high school kid -- preferring the more mature, more developed 20-ish year old out of Juniors instead.

[coachingmachine]

Hi again. Decided to bump this thread with a more pressing question. Does anyone know any natural spots people skate or play pick up in E. Nassau/W. Suffolk? Pond? Lake? Reservoir? Flooded lot?! Anything. I know some are out there. If you don't want to share publically, please DM me. Helllp!! Thank you!

[agw123]

Originally Posted by CoachChic

Although things change with time, "recruiters" nowadays mainly get their talent from Junior hockey. (Actually, it's gone back and forth between high schools/prep schools and Juniors a few times during my 40-years in the game.)

When I head coached in college (about 15-years ago), we scoured high schools and preps. My friends still coaching at that level tell me today, though, that they won't even look at a high school kid -- preferring the more mature, more developed 20-ish year old out of Juniors instead.

Why would college coaches be looking for people who are above college age and 1/2 way or more thru their elegiblity?

[NJ Brazen_3133]

Originally Posted by agw123

Why would college coaches be looking for people who are above college age and 1/2 way or more thru their elegiblity?

There is no above college age just so long as they have not played pro or another college.