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For all the Dunedinites, information about the upcoming DIHL (mid-September) is available here: http://dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi/dihl/%5B/url:1qg6fxok%5D (forms at the bottom of the page).
The League will be run with two grades – a B grade for more social/beginner sorts, and an A grade, which is going to be ramped up a little and run for intensity.
Kyle, is there a chance of, or any talk of, running the A-Grade as a checking league? If not, would you be able to pass me the details of the organiser? (Not sure who it is this year).
It’s been discussed. We’re aware that there needs to be a progression in the club to push both juniors and seniors to higher levels in checking hockey, and at present that’s very weak. In the planning for next year we’ll be looking at trying to set up a prem league in Dunedin – most likely three teams, probably running March – May – similar to what Canterbury has but it’ll be pre-NZIHL.
DIHL isn’t the vehicle for that though. It’s a social league with people of different ages, genders etc. What has been discussed is that while it’s non-checking, players and officials will be reminded that it’s not a non-contact league, and we’ll be expecting the A grade to be high speed, high intensity games and there will be physical contact as allowed by the rules.
DIHL is being organised by Pete Lamb, dihl@dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi.
Cool. You’re absolutely right about the lack of progression – if you start with age group hockey it’s not so bad, but starting hockey as an adult (as I did) pretty much boxes you in to SNC.
I appreciate that the DIHL is a social league, but I would have thought the A/B split might allow the A grade to be run as a checking competition. I am mindful of the fact that SNC ladies and those who simply don’t wish to play checking hockey might then be left without a place to go.
The Prem grade sounds like an excellent idea. It’s a shame we can’t get the numbers to run some more hockey over the summer.
Yeah. I think they both need to happen – social A hockey, and prem level contact hockey. There’s contact hockey running at the moment already, and people who don’t/can’t play contact need games too, otherwise they won’t have played since June.
It may be that A dihl is sometimes non-checking, and sometimes is checking, or it may be that the prem grade is run separately.
Worth noting is that there’s been quite good interest and attendance at the checking games, beyond what I’ve seen from most DIHL teams, although admittedly there are only two teams in this present series.
Checking hockey is definitely a different style of game, one which I really enjoy, and it has definitely been a good learning experience.
I also have a strong suspicion that many of those who are perhaps wary of playing contact hockey would actually enjoy it a lot more than they think they would. Certainly there hasn’t been a single hard hit, overt aggression or fight so far in the intermediate checking series. There was one slightly dangerous moment when Jack got hit from behind close to the boards, but to be honest that sort of situation occurs often enough in SNC anyway.
I think you’ll also see a lot more desire for prem-level hockey once the NZIHL season is over, for obvious reasons.
Sounds like great ideas! I think that the checking league going on now is not only great for the developing players but for developing referee’s as well to get their feet wet in contact hockey.
"Kyle":1dny3v46 wrote:It may be that A dihl is sometimes non-checking, and sometimes is checking, or it may be that the prem grade is run separately.[/quote:1dny3v46]Just don’t go using the same name. Otherwise you end up with more branding issues and people not knowing what is what.
More information about the Dunedin Ice Hockey League Spring 2009
” title=”Smiley” />http://dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi/dihl/
http://dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi/spring-dihl-2009/
http://dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi/documents … mation.pdf
http://dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi/documents … Signup.pdfThey’re saying there will be both A and B-grades this time around with a minimum of four teams. Anyone intending to compete? I am super looking forward to it
” title=”Cheesy” />Does anyone know if there is a backup plan if insufficient players sign up for each grade? I think there were only four teams in the Autumn season, so if the number of players don’t double then there would be no competition if there isn’t a backup plan.
"Ryan":2gynrhy9 wrote:Does anyone know if there is a backup plan if insufficient players sign up for each grade? I think there were only four teams in the Autumn season, so if the number of players don’t double then there would be no competition if there isn’t a backup plan.
[/quote:2gynrhy9]The structure will hold to have 2 or three teams in a grade. Two teams is easy, obviously. Three teams – because the DIHL is run on two different nights it would be a shorter competition, but two games a week, so some weeks you’d play two games.
[quote:2c326jy0]The structure will hold to have 2 or three teams in a grade. Two teams is easy, obviously. Three teams – because the DIHL is run on two different nights it would be a shorter competition, but two games a week, so some weeks you’d play two games.[/quote:2c326jy0]
Cool, that makes more sense. Although in that case some of the documentation is wrong as it says there will be four teams in each grade.
As an additional incentive for anyone who hasn’t signed up yet (first games start next Tuesday), the club last night agreed to reduce membership for the rest of the season to $20.
So people who aren’t club members can sign up for the 7 games, plus membership, for $104. I think Pete is putting the teams together this Friday, so get forms etc to him asap.
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