NIHF (North American Independent Hockey Federation) www.nihf.hockey is sanctioned by AAU hockey. The AAU is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. The AAU rivals USA Hockey and is growing exponentially each season. NIHF teams will have the opportunity to compete in NIHF events.
The AAU was founded in 1888 as a multi-sport organization dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. AAU focuses on providing sports programs for all participants of all age levels beginning at the local and regional levels. For more information, click on http://www.aausports.org/
The NIHF promotes:
· Development of high-level hockey players and academics
· Encourage players to achieve athletically but more importantly as a respectful person and proud member of your community
· Weekend league games only to assist with needed study time to be a success academically
· The NCAA approach to hockey training and academics with more on-ice and off-ice training
· The NCAA develops approximately 35% of all the players that reach the NHL and it is considered the number one path to the NHL or Business Career.
· All teams providing a variety of professional development along with coach managed practices as part of their program.
· Puck Handling, Power Skating, Skating Treadmill, Shooting, and Off-ice training Sessions
· A minimum 28 game league schedule
· Develop a tournament series so players can compete against other competitive teams. We will have local tournaments and Tournaments against other AAU Teams.
See our league manual at the NIHF website www.nihf.hockey
NIHF teams will prepare a development program including tournaments, games, practices, and professional development that must be given to parents in writing.
Parents it is your responsibility to understand the team’s development plan, their philosophy on team play, their coaching style, etc. before signing to play on a team. Please do not sign with a team without understanding these important criteria so your season will be fun and successful for your child.
