Overview
Welcome to the Nighthawks Girls and Women's Ice Hockey Web site. Our
program has been established to promote a fun and competitive hockey
program for Girl's and Women of all ages. Depending on enrollment we
field one or more teams in each age bracket from U10 through Adult. For
2009/2010 we had 5 girls teams, U12, U14B, U14W, U17B, U17W and 4 woman's
teams.
Where do the Nighthawks Skate?
The Nighthawks home ice is the New England Sports Center (NESC) in
Marlborough Ma. Typically all home games as well as most practices are
held here. We also practice at the Navin rink in Marlborough. Away
games are almost exclusively located within central Massachusetts for the
U14 and lower age groups. For example, the furthest the U14 teams have
traveled has been Charlestown Ma which has occured 3 times this season.
The U17 teams may travel a bit further ( Burrillville RI or Exceter NH)
What does the schedule look like?
Our season typically begins the last week of August with games and
practices wrapping up in March. For the U14 and lower age groups there
are typically 2 practices and 2 games a week plus a bi-weekly skills
session open to all age groups. Games tend to be Saturdays and Sundays
while practices tend to be at night during the week. Practice and Games
times vary but for the most part practices started anywhere from 7:00 pm
to 8:30 pm with the younger girls always having the earlier times. Our
U12 girls never had a practice start later then 7:30pm. In the past our
U10 team has also had this schedule. Game times may fall any time during
the weekend and there may be an occasional early game (6:00 am) but this
happens very infrequently.
What Leagues do they play in?
This year our girls' teams participated in the Middlesex Yankee
Conference Girl's Hockey League (
http://www.mycgl.com/). The U14 and
younger teams also played in the National Youth Hockey League
(
http://www.nyhl.net) which is a boys league at the New England Sport
Center. When the girls play in a boy's league USA hockey rules dictate
that the game is played "no check". Additionally, the girls play down
one age group.
What does "Competitive but not Crazy" mean?
The goal of the Nighthawks program is to create life long hockey players.
Because hockey is a team sport with significant locker room interaction
we feel it is an excellent activity for promoting camaraderie, team
building, and friendships. We want each girl to improve their
individual skills, team skills as well as their fundamental understanding
of the game. A great many of our girls are currently playing at the
Varsity High School level. One of our former players was a member of the
first women's national team. We want to develop competitive hockey
players but we also want them to have fun. As an example, all our
players get equal ice time. We do not run special power play or penalty
killing lines. We try to have reasonable game and practice time and
locations.
Do you take new players?
The Nighthawks program takes pride in developing first time players. We
have a learn to skate program which runs at least 2 session per year. As
a "no cut" program we look to place all our girls. First time players
may join as alternates, practicing with the team and playing in games when
players are ready to play and there are players missing from the team.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the season can range from 1300.00 to 1800.00 depending on the
number of leagues (one or two) that the team skates in. This ends up
being 14/15 dollars per hour of ice. There is a 50 dollar placement fee
required at registration. Payments for the year start in July and end in
December with 4 equal installments due. We discount for goalies.
How do I sign my daughter up?
Learn to Skate (LTS) is open for sign up at any time during the season.
Registration will be open soon for the 2010-2011 season.
To be placed on a team your daughter must attend placements which are held in late April and early May. Placements are 2 one hour skating sessions where your daughter will be evaluated by outside coaches. We use neutral outside resources to handle the evaluations in case we need to
make two teams for a particular age level. After placements are held we make up teams depending on the enrollment. We typically have the teams configured by the end of June. Please contact Joe Fahey
for more information.
