Benefits of playing in the NA3EHL
August 24, 2015
The NA3EHL is ramping up for its second season and there is a lot of excitement building. The NA3EHL official came into existence less than a year ago when the North American Hockey League (NAHL) took over operations of the Northern States Hockey League (NSHL). The NSHL was a 10-team league operating on the East Coast independently outside of USA Hockey.
Fast forward to today where the NA3EHL is now up to 13 teams for the 2015-16 season, which will include a 44-game regular season schedule and two NA3EHL Showcase events. The first NA3EHL Showcase will be held from October 8-11, 2015 at the Skate 3 Ice Arena in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. The second NA3EHL Showcase will be held from January 28-31, 2016 at Cornerstone Ice Arena in Lockport, New York.
In addition, two NA3EHL Top Prospect teams will also take part in the NA3HL Showcase in December in Blaine, MN.
Beyond the addition of three new teams, the NA3EHL also took another big step over the summer as the league was approved to operate as one of eight Tier III junior hockey leagues under the USA Hockey umbrella.
The next couple of weeks will be important ones for players and parents alike in determining where to play junior hockey and determining the right path. So, why may the NA3EHL be the right path for you?
First, is your league USA Hockey certified like the NA3EHL?
There is ONLY ONE official governing body of hockey in the United States, which is USA Hockey. USA Hockey provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America; helps young people become leaders, even Olympic heroes; and connects the game at every level, including juniors, while promoting a lifelong love of the sport.
FACT: USA Hockey are the caretakers of the game in the United States. This leadership role carries great responsibility of creating the best and safest place for players to play. They have invested countless time and money to insure that the game is protected along with staying ahead of the game with the safety of the players, adaption of the rules and the advancement in technology in mind.
USA Hockey and its’ junior hockey leagues are seeking solutions to ensure that the game of hockey is played at a high level of competition and serves as a development path to future opportunities in the game at both the collegiate and professional levels. To that end, USA Hockey has joined forces with junior hockey leagues like the NAHL, NA3HL and NA3EHL, who are all members of USA Hockey, to establish guidelines for player safety, with an emphasis on the development phase which junior hockey represents.
Second, the NA3EHL provides a structured environment for its players with a focus on exposure, advancement, education, player safety and marketing its players and teams.
Benefits
• Exposure. In addition to a 44 game regular season schedule, the NA3EHL features three, high-profile and quality exposure events with a PROVEN scouting presence, which includes the NAHL’s exclusive Central Scouting.
• Advancement. Last season, dozens of NA3EHL players made college commitments.
• On-Ice Success. The NA3EHL’s Jersey Shore Wildcats lost just one game on their way to the NA3EHL regular season and playoff titles. Also, the NA3EHL Top Prospects team defeated the eventual USA Hockey Tier III National Champion North Iowa Bulls at the NA3HL Showcase.
• Equipment. NA3EHL teams and players have the exclusive benefit of the equipment partnership relationships that the NAHL enjoys like Easton, Vaughn and OT Sports.
• Education. With the primary goal being advancement of players to college hockey, the NA3EHL have gone above and beyond to educate their players and ensure they are informed about the educational process when it comes to advancement, which includes every player attending a mandatory NCAA Compliance and Education seminars.
• Player Safety. The NA3EHL has an exclusive Department of Player Safety, which was developed to create a safer environment for players, while also educating all team personnel about a safer on-ice environment and the implementation of greater respect for the well being of all players.
• Marketing. The NA3EHL enjoys its own exclusive website and social media accounts. That includes daily news along with weekly, monthly and yearly player recognition for on-ice excellence, along with special interest and player advancement stories.
You many only get one chance to make the right decision in regards to junior hockey. When all is said and done the last thing you want is to be a victim and end up blaming someone of not living up to their promises. We encourage you to do your homework and ask questions.
