Training is part of every ice hockey player’s routine. Players learn how, and progress in their ability, to execute skills at higher speeds and in smaller areas, with more resistance. At the end of August, the NGHL College Exposure Camp hoped to amp up that training, if just for one day, and brought together competitive female hockey players and college coaches to train and talk hockey.

The athletes ranged from 13 – 18-year-olds, all striving towards the goal of playing hockey in college. The Exposure Camp provided personalized instruction and attention from some of the best coaches in the country, from all divisions and levels of the game, including

During the day, athletes were given the opportunity to sample various coaching styles while on the ice and got to know the coaches on a personal level. Lunchbreak took advantage of the perfect late summer weather and included an outdoor discussion on “What it takes to be a college hockey player.”

Based on the resounding success of this event, the NGHL will present another camp this season. Stay tuned to our social platforms at @nghlhockey for that update.

This Labor Day weekend, in partnership with the MidFairfield Connecticut Stars and Ironbound Elite, the NGHL hosted the 2019 Labor Day Challenge. Fifty-two teams across 5 divisions – 12U – 19U – played across three days. Most games were played at the Northford Pavilion Rink but some teams had the special opportunity to play on Wesleyan’s beautiful Spurrier-Snyder Rink. 

It was gratifying to see such passionate and talented players.  Feedback from the college scouts that were there was very positive. We were fortunate to have a section of coaches from D1, D3 and NESCAC schools: 

Alvernia • New England College • Nazareth • Trinity Kings • Quinnipiac • UMass Boston •  Wesleyan • Manhattanville • Yale • Amherst • Maryville Buffalo • St. Lawrence • UConn • Bowdoin • WNE • SUNY Oswego • Post • Merrimack • Colby • Becker • Chatham • Sacred Heart • Aurora • CT College • Nichols • Elmira • Brown • Wilkes

We’d like to congratulate all the division winners:

We truly appreciate all the teams that came out to skate and those who posted pictures and #GameDay creative on social media (@nghl_hockey), raising the level of awareness of our new league. 

It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention.  As we started to plan for next season we could not find a league that served the unique needs of girls ice hockey programs.  

We saw a glaring need, and not wanting to shy away from the size of the task, the National Girls Hockey League (NGHL) was born. To support other programs in the same situation, the NGHL is dedicated to the promotion and growth of girls ice hockey programs across the nation. Our mission is to enhance the overall hockey experience for athletes by partnering with like-minded programs in order to build a competitive schedule that geographically benefits all league members.

The league was inspired by the NHL and the NWHL with the thought of eventually bringing that level of success to girls hockey. Because many of our programs wear jersey’s that represent NHL teams, we will hold the League to high standards. Each team member in the NGHL is expected to provide an environment that enables the players, volunteers, and staff a chance to acquire the skills needed to be successful.  Members of the NGHL are expected to instill the following core values:

The goal of the league is to:

THE SEASON

The NGHL has planned a well-rounded showcase schedule for the 2019-2020 season. These weekends serve many different purposes – exposure, competition, NCAA experience, and last but not least, fun.

The League’s members will compete in five-weekend showcases against other league members and guest teams, culminating with championships in February 2020.  The showcases will be held at top venues and desirable locations for maximum exposure to college scouts.

2019-2020 Showcase Dates & Locations:

League members only will play in Championships,  held at the new St. Louis Community Ice Center, practice home of the St. Louis Blues, the 2018/19 NHL champs.

The Granato Cup is the championship trophy of the National Girl’s Hockey League, honoring Cammi Granato, a founding member of the USA Women’s National Team.