WRAHL or Other Winter Hockey Leagues around Calgary

[Beefcake]

I haven't found the NCHL refs to be any better or worse than those in any of the other leagues in town (we've played in 5 or 6 different ones).

The penalty shot rule after x number of penalites is kind of stupid, but if you don't have a bunch of dirty players on your team, it won't affect you (we've only seen it once in 2 seasons).

Their summer league ice times aren't too bad, but they get do get bottom of the barrel ice slots in the winter due to their being a relatively young league (i.e. the other leagues that have been around longer have secured relationships that get them first dibs on good ice).

My only complaint is that they're perhaps trying to grow too fast. Too many teams means they need to pick up 11:00pm and later games to cover all the games that need to be played.

The league organizers are good at getting back to team reps with any comments/concerns/questions.

Your other choices aren't going to be all that great though. The better run leagues with less teams and earlier ice times (e.g. Heritage League, SASM) have long waiting lists. AllCal has a lot of teams, but the organizer is in a little over his head, and it often feels very disorganized (we've had 4 teams show up to the same ice slot, 2 teams show up to a game that was never booked with the arena, we played half a season with no scorekeeper, etc). We had similar "disorganized problems" in the ARCHL as well.

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

+1 for HNA over NCHL.

HNA is by far and away a better and more effeciently run league. The guy who runs actually helps ref, you can go and BS with him, and it isnt quite so freaking obvious that he's in it for the money. The best thing is the preseason evaluation skate where the captains of all the teams get to watch all the new/proposed players for teams in your division to make sure no ringers get in. AFter that your roster is set before the season starts.

NCHL is a joke, the refs are brutal, the ice times are brutal, there is no regulations on who can play in what division, and from what I've heard from my other team (new C div team, currently play E div summer) the fees are ~$1500 more expensive per team than HNA (which didnt increase this year).

And dont get me started on the penalty shot rule for too many penalties in NCHL.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Khel

What team are you guys on?

Team I play for (Pirates) has a few ringers on it, but they are friends who have played with us for years in the WRAHL or NCHL, they just want to play with their buddies.

.

...and this the worst thing about nchl. There are too many teams that have "buddies" that just want to play, but their friends all play in div E, while they are a div A player.

Think about how you described it. You guys are div E south, and you said you have a "few ringers" on your team. Well then why the hell are you playing div E? Each team only has between 10 and 13 players in the summer, that means that about a third of your team is ringers.

I'm all for teams bringing out their buddies. But hey if you want to play with your little ex AAA friends, by all means, go for it, but while your at it go play in div A/B.

This is THE number 1 reason why we are leaving the NCHL for the HNA, and they don't seem to be willing to do anything about it. Especially in the lower division, like div E, where even one ringer can completely ruin a good game, because of the lack of skill down there,

/rant.

[Rhettzky]

^^ What are the winter ice times like in the HNA?

[jayswin]

Aren't you guys that team with the Flames jerseys, and you have that one guy that continuelly skates through the entire opposing team without breaking a sweat? ...and then a game that would have been very even turns into an easy win for you guys evertime?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

^^ What are the winter ice times like in the HNA?

Half your ice times start before 9:30 and the other half start after 10pm but before 10:30.

[Rhettzky]

Nice, need any more players?

PM me details if you do.

[IgiTang]

WOW !!! Thanks guys, love the feedback. It seems like there are some decent leagues out there. As for the refing. There will always be those who dislike the refing and Vice Versa...

CP has a team? Do what league and Div. are you guys playing in? Any spots open?

But never the less, I appreciate the great feedback!

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Beefcake

The penalty shot rule after x number of penalites is kind of stupid, but if you don't have a bunch of dirty players on your team, it won't affect you (we've only seen it once in 2 seasons).

that's just it... you can be the cleanest team playing the dirtiest team, and you still somehow end up with all the penalties. Like noted above, I'll usually take three good whacks or hits before I'll retaliate, and I EXPECT that if they're going to let three on me go, they better let one go for me... or take us both... I'd be quite happy with that.

But that's the problem. A lot of refs have buddies that play on one of the teams... then they're hesitant to call a penalty because they don't want to 'be that guy'. Next thing you know, they're calling these weird penalties all willy nilly and none for the other team.

There are some great refs in the NCHL, no doubt. But they're usually paired with some half-wit who has no idea how to properly call a game at that level. On the rare occasion, you get some great refs that call a good game.

[Khel]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Think about how you described it. You guys are div E south, and you said you have a "few ringers" on your team. Well then why the hell are you playing div E? Each team only has between 10 and 13 players in the summer, that means that about a third of your team is ringers.

.

We did ask to be put up in D, but judging from our record of 5-4-1, we seem to be in the right place despite our one player who skates through everyone. Pretty much the rest of our team is bang on for that level.

We did have some easy wins to start but those were teams that got moved down, now the division seems pretty good, and we've lost our last 3.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Khel

We did ask to be put up in D, but judging from our record of 5-4-1, we seem to be in the right place despite our one player who skates through everyone.

You gotta wonder why that guy likes to play on that team. Normally you'd want to play in a division that provides some competition. It's like the older guy who shows up at outdoor shinny and does the Fleury slide after stealing the puck from an 8 year old, deking out a couple of ten year olds and scoring on a 14 year old in net with no pads. Superstar.

[StoneCole]

Originally Posted by Beefcake

- Hockey North America (HNA): http://www.calgaryhna.homestead.com/
- Non Contact Hockey League (NCHL): http://www.nchl-calgary.com/
- Alberta Rockies Centennial Hockey League: http://www.archl.com/
- Calgary Mens Hockey Association (CMHA): http://www.cmhahockey.com/
- AllCal Hockey League: http://www.allcalhockey.com/
- Southern Alberta Senior Men's Hockey League (SASM): http://www.sasmhockey.com/
- Western Recreational Adult Hockey League (WRAHL): http://www.wrahl.com/
- Calgary Adult Hockey League: http://www.cahl.ca/
- Heritage Hockey League: http://www.heritagehockeyleague.com/
- South Calgary Hockey League: http://www.scrhl.ca/

There's also a league at the U of C you could look in to.

...also in the summer there's Alberta Summer Hockey League:

http://www.albertasummerhockey.com

...but the season is almost done, just posting this as a reference for next summer.

HNA can be a real bitch I find.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by StoneCole

...also in the summer there's Alberta Summer Hockey League:

http://www.albertasummerhockey.com

...but the season is almost done, just posting this as a reference for next summer.

HNA can be a real bitch I find.

Thanks for the reference for the summer league. will keep it in mind for next year.

As for HNA, im gonna go to their Eval Skate on Sept. 3.... but is anyone doing any p/u games in late Aug. to get the wheels greased ?

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Khel

What team are you guys on?

Team I play for (Pirates) has a few ringers on it, but they are friends who have played with us for years in the WRAHL or NCHL, they just want to play with their buddies.

Well, I'm on the team you are playing on Sunday night.

I'll be the enormous guy getting in the way of everyone on your team.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by StoneCole

...also in the summer there's Alberta Summer Hockey League:

http://www.albertasummerhockey.com

Holy cow, have they ever heard of spell check or proofreading what they intend on putting on their website? There were moments when I had no idea what they were talking about.

[Mayer]

Thought I ought to bump this thread rather than making a new one.

I run a team in the WRAHL, and I'm looking for one or two more guys to round out the team. We had a full slate of really good guys but have had a few of them drop out for various reasons (marriage, kids etc). We're currently in Division 2 (of 4).

I'd say the skill level of the team and the rest of the division is pretty decent.

I know some have bad mouthed the WRAHL for various reasons, but from my experience it's been a very well run league. If anyone wants more info about joining my team, PM me or respond to this message. That is, if you can stomach being on a team with a Canucks fan ....

[Mayer]

Bump ... anyone else?

[Mayer]

One more bump....last chance. I have one spot remaining.

PM me.

[radz55]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Does anyone have any advice on where to look for a Men's limited contact league for moderately/experienced players? Myself and a couple of buddies are looking for some contingency leagues seeing there is a waiting list for WRAHL.

Igi Tang,
We run the Knights of Columbus hockey league that play in Airdrie & Crossfield once/week. It's a small league that is less than $4000/team including refs with a 25-28 game season. All teams are around the 30+ age bracket and it's a fun, low key league. If you're interested call me @ (403)461-2893 as we are looking for 1-3 teams depending on demand. We've kept it small for a reason, call me if you're interested.

[Engine09]

All teams are around the 30+ age bracket

I just turned 34 and have never been that great of a hockey player, I should start looking around for a +30 league.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Incompetent refs, or refs/score keepers not showing up. Stats system is totally farked...

Teams just bring in ringers... so you're trying to play a team in C or D and they bring out 4 guys who played AAA and just own you. It's not fun at all.

my team is going thru this right now. one of our players got in a fight, tripped over his own stick, the guy jumped on top of him and continued punching him right on the face, meanwhile the refs were just standing, arms crossed watching the 'fight'.....arghhhhh!