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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ucbvax!citrin
From: citrin@ucbvax.ARPA (Wayne Citrin)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Need Info on NNHL
Message-ID: <2384@ucbvax.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 5-Oct-84 23:22:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.2384
Posted: Fri Oct  5 23:22:47 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 6-Oct-84 07:13:53 EDT
References: <2529@ihldt.UUCP>
Organization: University of California at Berkeley
Lines: 42

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)