Whether you like it or not, fall is right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to start thinking about hockey. Once again the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles (NJPE), WNY premier AA hockey organization, is offering their Instructional program for area youth who want to learn to skate, learn hockey, make friends, and have fun.
Our one of a kind Instructional program is the best in the area, we offer one of the lowest fees in the region and all coaches are certified by USA Hockey. Led by Head Coach Marge Sertick, with more than 40 years of experience coaching hockey and skating, the program will teach your child how to skate with no prior lessons required! Players are invited to try an initial 4 weeks for FREE, which is actually 8 ice sessions! The NJPE philosophy is to develop the skills of proper skating, competitiveness, sportsmanship & teamwork! The season concludes with SUPER SATURDAY, where your child will participate in the excitement of their first game. Followed up by a banquet.
If you’re worried about equipment, NJPE once again will be offering our one-of-a-kind equipment rental of new and slightly used hockey equipment to our Instructional players. With a rental fee of $25 for the whole season, how could you go wrong?
NJPE has implemented the American Development Model (ADM) by USA Hockey. This nationwide model is responsible for successfully developing American hockey players. It allows for age-appropriate training, more puck time, smaller games and a cost saving as multiple teams share the ice.
NJPE offers a girls division for girls aged 5-12. The program follows USA Hockey’s ADM and emphasizes fun and skill development with cross-ice games against other local teams. Girls of all skill levels are welcome. The girl 12U team play locally in Greater Lakes Girls Hockey League.
NJPE also offers competitive (AA) travel teams that regularly skate in State & National Tournaments – Winners of nineteen boys & girls NYSAHA Championships, and one USAH national championship. Last season, several of our teams qualified for the WNYAHL playoffs, and our Squirt Major and Squirt Mixed teams both won their respective divisions. We also had teams compete in states, and nationals.
As an organization, NJPE has been reimbursed $7500 through the NYSAHA grow the game grant, and in 2014 and 2015, NJPE was recognized as a “gold” level status by USAH, for our efforts to grow the game of hockey. For the last two years, we have hosted 4 try hockey for free events, including a girls try hockey for free. Additionally, we host two tournaments annually, Thanksgiving, and Presidents day weekends.
Every August, NJPE and the Gary Hill family donated scholarships to former NJPE players. These scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who exhibit dedication to Niagara Hockey, extracurricular activities, humanitarianism, and academic achievement. Current and former NJPE players have been awarded over $125,000 in scholarships. The scholarship is named in honor of Coach Gary Hill who lived his life through these qualities. As a coach and friend to many young aspiring hockey players, he served as a respected role model by the hearts he touched.
If organization is your thing, you will be happy to know that we provide an active and up to date website, offer free iOS and droid app for smartphones to keep you up-to-date, and get you all the league and organization info you need to know.
Saving the best for last, NJPE continues to build upon the unique relationship with the University of Niagara, an opportunity few organizations have. Niagara University’s Men’s D1 hockey team volunteers many hours by supporting summer camps, coaching assistance, and on-ice help for both travel and house divisions.
If you have a child that wants to try hockey, this is the place to be…like we said in the beginning… It All Starts Here!
