Alright, let’s talk about our journey with the New England Girl’s Hockey League, the NEGHL. It feels like just yesterday we dove into this whole world, but man, it’s been a ride.
It all started pretty simply. My daughter got the hockey bug, really bad. We were just doing local stuff, house leagues, you know. But she got good, really good, and wanted more. Heard whispers about travel hockey, competitiveness, and the NEGHL name kept popping up. So, we decided to investigate. Didn’t know a thing, really. Just knew she needed a bigger challenge.
First step was figuring out the tryouts. Which team? What level? It was honestly kind of confusing. Felt like you needed an inside track sometimes. We just picked a couple of club tryouts that were part of the league and went for it. Lots of driving, even just for tryouts. Sat in cold rinks, watched her skate her heart out, trying to figure out where she fit. Stressful stuff, not just for her, but for us parents too.
Getting Into the Swing of Things
She made a team. Relief! Then the real work began. The commitment, folks, is no joke. Forget lazy weekends. Our life suddenly revolved around the NEGHL schedule.
- Early Saturday mornings? Check. Driving two hours before sunrise.
- Sunday afternoons? Check. Another game, maybe three hours away this time.
- Midweek practices? Check. Rushing from school, grabbing gear, homework in the car.
We basically lived out of the car some weekends. Packed snacks, drinks, extra layers because some rinks were unbelievably cold. You learn quickly which rinks have decent coffee and which ones feel like a meat locker. Became an expert navigator of New England highways and back roads.
The hockey itself? It was intense. Good competition, mostly. You saw your kid improve leaps and bounds, playing against strong teams week after week. That part was great. Seeing her score a goal after a long road trip, seeing the team celebrate – those are good moments, the moments you remember.
The Realities of League Life
But it wasn’t all sunshine and hat tricks. Let’s be real. The scheduling could be brutal. Sometimes felt like the league just threw darts at a map. You’d have crazy travel times back-to-back. And the politics… every sport has it, right? Sometimes felt like certain clubs or teams got preferential treatment. Hard to prove, just a feeling you get standing around the rink talking to other parents.
Team dynamics were another thing. Mostly good, the girls usually bonded. But you always have some drama, some seasons more than others. Managing ice time, parent expectations – coaches had a tough job, and some handled it better than others. We learned to just focus on our kid, support the team, and keep our mouths shut most of the time. Easier said than done, sometimes.
Looking back, the NEGHL was a huge part of our lives for several years. We poured time, money, and energy into it. Drove thousands of miles. Spent countless hours in freezing rinks. Was it worth it? Yeah, I think so. My daughter learned so much – not just about hockey, but about commitment, teamwork, dealing with wins and losses. She made friends she still talks to. It prepared her for the next level, whatever that was going to be.
It’s a serious league for serious players. If you’re thinking about it, just know what you’re getting into. It’s a massive commitment, a lifestyle change, really. But seeing your kid chase their passion, playing hard in the NEGHL? Yeah, there’s something pretty special about that, despite all the logistical headaches. You just gotta embrace the craziness.
