Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Ashburn Inline Hockey?
A: We are an
official
USA Hockey Inline sanctioned league,
with the largest membership in the northern Virginia area. This is a fun league
for children to learn and play organized hockey.
The Ashburn Inline Hockey Inc. (AIHI) was created to provide
the youth in Ashburn, Sterling, and surrounding areas of Northern Virginia a place to
learn the fundamentals of inline hockey in a fun and safe environment. AIHI
is a nonprofit 501(c)(03) public
charity, developed to promote amateur sports
competition. You will find us listed in the national database for nonprofit organizations,
http://www.guidestar.org.
League officials stress having fun and learning the game of hockey. Winning is
not the only thing at AIHI!
AIHI provides league play in five (5) divisions for ages 4 to 18.
Players have a safe place to play and compete on a well regulated rink.
With the aid of accredited, and certified, USA Hockey
referees, the League has developed
fair game play in all age groups.
Q: Who is
USA Hockey Inline?
A:
USA Hockey Inline (USAHI) is a program of USA Hockey, Inc. The mission of USA Hockey
Inline is to promote the growth of inline hockey in America and to provide the
best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing,
advancing, and administering the sport.
Q: What do
players get for membership with USA Hockey Inline?
A:
There are a number of participant benefits
associated with a USA Hockey Inline membership. Players receive an individual
membership card, excess medical, catastrophic, and liability coverage, a
subscription to American Hockey Magazine, a copy of the USAHI official
playing rules book (on request), opportunities to participate in USAHI events,
clinics, and an e-mail newsletter.
Q: How many
seasons are there and how long do they last?
A: There
are two playing seasons during the year, Fall, and Spring. The Fall season
registration starts mid summer and the season begins early September. We play 10
games and playoffs finish early December. The Spring season registration starts
mid January, and the season
begins in March. We play 10 games and playoffs finish
before the end of the school year (June).
Q: When and where are the games played?
A:
Most of the games are played on Sundays. There are times when games are
scheduled on a Saturday and on a weekday evening. All games
will be played at the Dulles Sportsplex rink
for 10U and older. Mites will play outside on the rink at
Trailside
park on Saturdays.
Q: How long are the games played?
A:
The games take 1 hour to play. There will be three 15 minute periods, running
time. If the score is within two goals, or tied, stop time will be played during
the last two minutes of the third period. Regular season games that end in a tie will
be declared a tie. Playoff games, where it is necessary to determine a winner,
will have a five minute overtime period followed by a shoot-out in accordance
with
USA Hockey Inline rules.
Q: When are practices?
A: Practices are up to the individual coaches. They are usually held
one evening a week (weather permitting) in Ashburn Farms at
Trailside
park. Several members play roller hockey along with other
sports. Attending practice is not a requirement to play in the games, but
is highly recommended.
Q: What are the age groups?
A: House
League Divisions:
Fall 2008 - Spring 2009
Mites - 8 and under (8U) born 2000 & younger
Squirts - 10 and under
(10U) born 1998 & 1999
Pee Wee - 12 and under
(12U) born 1996 & 1997
Bantam - 14 and under (14U) born 1994 & 1995
Ages divisions for the 2008-2009 seasons
(Sept. 1, 2008 - Aug. 31, 2009) are
determined by the player's age as of December 31, 2008.
Upper Division:
High School
Varsity 18U: born
1991, 1992 & 1993 (grade 10 - 12)
All
players must be current High School Students and must be experienced hockey
players. (tryouts may be required)
Q: Do you have to try out for a team?
A:
For the House League a short evaluation is
held where all players perform simple time and skill drills. Teams are drafted
based upon the evaluations. League officials try to maintain evenly skilled teams.
Q: What if I can't make the evaluation?
A: You will be randomly placed on a
team, or if you have played with us before the coaches will use your previous
evaluations and player stats.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: AIHI Registration fees
are $230 per player for Squirts and older, and $130 for Mites.
USA Hockey Inline membership
(required) annually is $30
and is included in the price. There is a $10
discount for siblings and $20 discount for a third child. Full time Goalies receive a $25 discount. Current members of USA Hockey
Inline (not ice) will receive an e-mail with a $30 discount code.
Q: The price seems high, what do the registration fees pay for?
A: Registration fees pay for
rink time, referees,
player's jersey, season-ending awards, goaltending
equipment, pucks, and upkeep of the rinks. There are no fundraisers, all we
ever ask is for parents to volunteer to help make the league a success.
Q: What
equipment is
required?
A: Skates designed for inline hockey, stick, helmet designed for hockey with helmet strap properly fastened, full face mask designed for hockey with a chin cup, internal mouth guard, elbow pads, gloves designed for hockey, knee and shin protection.
Q: What
about all the fighting and checking I see during NHL games?
A: Ashburn Inline Hockey
is a non-fighting, non-checking, youth rec league. The games focus on hockey skills
and having fun. Any player called for checking or fighting will receive a penalty
and/or game suspension. The Sportsplex is also obligated to permanently ban any player from entering their
premises for a serious fighting infraction.
Q:
Our teams are tied in the standings on sPortabilty, how does the league
determine who is ahead?
A: Final divisional standings and seedings for the playoffs are
determined as follows:
1. Total number of points for the season, if tied then
2. Total number of wins for the season, if tied then
3. Head to head competition during the season, if tied then
4. Lowest number of total goals against during the season (all games), if
tied then
5. Highest number of total goals for during the season (all games), if
tied then
6. Coin Toss
Q: How can I help?
A:
Parent volunteers are always needed at every game as time/score keepers, and we can
always use sponsors, coaches, and officials (officiating
provides for great exercise, and is a paid opportunity). If interested
please send us an e-mail to aihi @ verizon . net.
If you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions, please send us an e-mail.
