About the Anchorage Womens Hockey League

The mission of the Anchorage Women's Hockey League is to bring women of all skill levels together to play hockey in a fun, organized and supportive atmosphere. This season we will have a record 14 teams on the ice skating in two Tiers. The AWHL has been around since 1982 and is a non-profit organization run by a 9-member volunteer board.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TIERS?

TIER I players are generally more advanced skaters who have a good understanding of the game and want to play a more competitive style of hockey. TIER I players register as a TEAM and can roster up to 20 people, including the goalie. The board sets a team fee which the Team Reps are responsible for collecting.

If you'd like to play on this level but don't have a team, email us and we'll pass your name on to Team Reps who may have openings. If there aren’t any openings, you may want to join TIER II for your ice fix.

TIER II is for beginners as well as those who have played for awhile and want a more recreational style of hockey. Every year we welcome new players who have never even had on hockey skates. The board assigns players to teams with the primary goal of providing overall balance between the teams and learning opportunities. While the board does consider players' preferences for skating on a particular team with specific friends, there is no guarantee that will happen. Openings are filled first-come, first-serve. Teams are considered FULL at 13 players plus a goalie. TIER I players may also join TIER II and, just like the other skilled players, they're expected to practice EXCEPTIONAL sportsmanship and help mentor those with less experience.


HOW OFTEN DO YOU PLAY?

Our season runs from mid-September through mid-March. We play once or twice a week, generally on Sunday, Wednesday or Thursday nights at ‘adult’ hockey times. We may have some occasional Friday or Saturday ice if it becomes available. Start times range from 7:15 pm to 10:15 pm. Each team is scheduled for 28 games for the season including the final tournament.


WHERE DO YOU PLAY?

In Anchorage, both Tiers play at Dempsey Anderson, Ben Boeke, UAA, and out at the MAC (MacDonald Arena) in Eagle River. Tier I also plays occasionally in Wasilla and Tier II now also plays occasionally in Palmer.


HOW OLD ARE THE PLAYERS?

Ages range from 18 on up to women who are card-carrying AARP members. We can’t remember who said it, but…. ‘If you still want to play, you're not too old!’


HOW ROUGH DOES IT GET ON THE ICE?

AWHL is a NO-CHECK league which basically means you’re not allowed to use your body to take another player off the puck. You CAN, however, expect some acceptable forms of physical contact in the course of a game. That’s the nature of hockey. And, sometimes accidents happen. You fall, bump into someone or get tripped. That’s why we wear protective gear. AND that’s why we always have one, if not two Official Referees to monitor all aspects of play.

Player safety is the top priority, followed closely by having fun! Most of us play to get the stress out of our lives – not add to it. Everyone is expected to be a good sport. If someone is not, the REFs deal with it on the ice and the board can take disciplinary action off the ice.


WHAT GEAR IS REQUIRED?

Every player MUST wear a COMPLETE set of protective gear or they are not allowed on the ice. See what's required by clicking on our RULES. THIS IS ENFORCED WITHOUT EXCEPTION!

We are sanctioned by USA HOCKEY and each year, when you pay your USAH membership fee, among other things, it provides secondary insurance for injuries that happen during sanctioned league games. However, if you were to get hurt and were not geared up properly, insurance coverage can - and most likely- will be denied!


HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PLAY TIER II?

Before each season begins, the board looks at ice costs and other expenses and puts together a budget. The 2009-10 season fee for TIER II players is $328. Tier II Goalies pay $140.


CAN I STILL JOIN AFTER THE SEASON STARTS?

Sure…IF there are open spots in TIER II. Once we're full, we start a waiting list and if openings happen, we draw from that. However, we cannot offer a fee reduction until mid-December when the season is about half-way over.

TIER I Reps can add players until they either hit their roster limit or the roster freeze deadline for the season.


I'VE NEVER PLAYED HOCKEY....BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO TRY!

For the past 7 years, we've put on a special clinic in August for women who want to get on the ice and see whether hockey is a good fit for them. Check back in at the end of July to see if we'll be scheduling a DISCOVER HOCKEY Clinic.