EDGE General Information
Another year done, another year ahead !
The 2025-26 season provided all with great memories and experiences. Our younger players learned what it is like to be a member of a team, and our older players learned that it takes commitment and hard work to be successful. We had great success on the ice with our older teams competing in playoffs for both the LIAHL and EJEPL. Younger teams improved their skills and had fun and success at Tournaments they attended.
"When an organization focuses on players having fun and developing into confident men and women, that goes a long way with having families staying loyal."
The EDGE is a hockey family that builds relationships likely to remain intact for many, many years. Some original (from the ’80’s) EDGE players are now here with their children …another generation ! . We know they will have fun, enhance their hockey skills, and develop good character just as their dads did..
We always look to keep our “family” together, and enjoy watching our players develop. We also have room for new families who are added and readily accepted as teammates. Competition ramps up as players get older and each player becomes more responsible for how they practice and play. The on ice success and caharter development of our “older” teams validates the path we take. EDGE teams frequently finish at or near the top of the LIAHL standings, and have represented the zone on at the NY State Championships on a frequent basis, while still giving all players fair treatment.
Some Basic Information
First... Congratulations to the EDGE teams on their performance this season...
EDGE teams have done well on the ice this season, as their hard work has paid off. Besides competing well in Tournaments and league play …
Our 10U Major, 12U Major and Minor, and 14U Major made EJEPL playoffs.
We do this whie we maintain our focus on developing skills. We want ALL the kids to play and have a good time, especially at the younger levels . Our players enjoy the camaraderie of teammates and fun of playing a sport they love.
Our priorities remain the same – continue skill development, emphasize teamwork, develop player confidence, and create positive self-images for our players. We will do it while families have fun because the kids –especially the young ones — all get to play. and share the responsibility of being ready to compete.
A little history
The EDGE started in 1986 as a new group with just two teams and about 30 players. We now have about 175 players on 11 travel teams collectively playing over 500 games a season.
As we have grown, the goals for our organization have remained the same. We enjoy great success on the ice, but we also know that winning is not all-consuming. There are other values that define our view of how successful a season may be – especially at the entry and younger levels. As players age, they must assume responsibility for their preparation and performance and face the reality of competitive tryouts.
We approach tryouts each year, hoping to balance the stability from the returning families — many of whom have been here for years — with the opportunity to include new skaters (whether from our house league or outside organizations). We expect all players to show a level of involvement and commitment to training, practicing, and playing that matches the commitment they receive from the organization and their teammates.
The EDGE coaches oten look for personal traits that may factor in player selection along with playing skills. These include team oyalty, self-improvement, personal dedication, and self-control.
About the 2026-27 Season
Practice Locations and Schedule
Home Practice ice is at Port Washington and Iceworks ONLY. Home Games for 12U, 14u, 16u, and 18U are played at Iceworks, Ice Hutch and Aviator. Home Games for 8U Mites and 10U Squirts are at Port Washington. Teams will have either two practice sessions each week, or one practice along with Top Line power skating and shooting (Mite through Bantam Minor teams). Goalies will have special bi-weekly sessions scheduled as well. Practice schedules will be finalized in Early August, but based on what we have done over past seasons here’s what you can expect . Young teams start practice at about 5 PM with older teams following later in the evening. The latest practices are for our 18U teams starting at 9:30 or 9:45 PM. All tentative days and times are subject to change based on coaches’ availability. Off Ice training at the Annex will be held before on ice practice once weekly for teams 10U – 18U and include use of RapidShot, RapidHands and training by certified physical trainers.
Tentative Practice days – subject to change based on coach availability
- 8u : Wednesday and Friday. Top Line Power skating every other Thursday – may be in addition to or in place of a practice day
- 10U Tuesday and Thursday Top Line Power skating every other Thursday – may be in place of a practice day. Some Fridays may also be scheduled.
- 12U Wednesday and Friday Top Line Power skating every other Thursday – may be in addition to or in place of a practice day
- 14U III Tuesday and Thursday – Tentative
- 14U II Monday and Wednesday – Tentative
- 16U II Monday and Wed or Thurs – Tentative
- 16U II Tues and Wed or Thurs – Tentative
- 18U II – No Team
- Friday slots at Iceworks will rotate among older teams.
- Please remember that these days are subject to change based on coaches “real-life” work schedules, possible high school conflicts, and ice availability ‘.
EDGE Coaches
The listings below are our anticipated 2025-26 coaches. Remember – change is always a possibility as families may move, jobs may change.
- 8U II/III Andy LoCascio, Derek Whelan, Jason Goldfard, AJ Weinum, Dana Seims, Nick Shailas
- 10U III Stephen Buccellato, Mike Prince
- 10U II Kristian Nielsen, Rich Peck, Jason Goldfarb
- 12U III Enrico DiCocco, Derek Caruso
- 12U II Mike Enright, Dan Gelb
- 14U III Mike Kavanaugh, Scott Ashkenazy
- 14U II Sanny Galati, Dean Giamundo, Bob Bedford, Ned Stavrinides
- 16U III Ed Healey, Bryan Giancarlo
- 16U II Robert Weston, JT Hall, Sean Maloney
- 18U II
ANNEX off-ice training throughout the Season
Most developing players have two noticeable flaws…They don’t shoot well, and have not developed their body strength. We attack these issues at our hockey-centric training facility -THE ANNEX – for off ice training. Every team – 10U through 18U will participate in scheduled training sessions during the season, and during Spring practices.
8U and 10U teams will have access to the Annex for warmups or chalk talk before all home games.
Game Locations
Home games for 12u,14u,16u, and 18u are played at Iceworks, Ice Hutch, and Aviator. Our 8U Mites and 10U Squirt teams play at Port Washington. We typically provide 20 game slots for each team to book their schedules. This results in approximately 40 games being played. Additional games are usually scheduled at tournaments or secondary leagues, raising the total to 50 or more. Each team can find its “comfort zone” concerning how many games they will play and how far they want to travel. Some teams may elect to play a more or less aggressive schedule, depending on team composition. Teams may also deicde to participate in a second league such as the EJEPL, for more diverse competition and more interesting scheduling.
Team Fees
Years ago, it was easy to establish one fee for all teams. Things have become more complicated with different leagues, tournaments, arrangements, ice fees and coaching costs affecting the budgets at different levels. Fees therefore will vary somewhat from team to team. Fees will include Spring practices for all teams and Annex training for teams 10U through 18U. Normal season fees include practice ice (40 slots), game ice (20 home slots) , referee fees, fees for league membership, Annex training sessions, team management expenses, reimbursement for out of town hotels at Showcases or Tournaments, Nates training, and practice jerseys if needed. 10U II and III teams will be allowed to book 2 tournaments at EDGE expense (or EJ Membership). . Mites may book two Jamborees or one Tournament at Edge expense. Tournaments booked by 12u, 14u, 16u. or 18u teams that play in the EJEPL must be paid by the team. Admission to EJEPL Showcases is paid for those teams that will be members of that league. Jerseys and EDGE branded items are not included in any team tuition.
Estimated costs for : 10U III – $5100. 10U II – $5100. 12U III $6300 . 12U II – $6300. 14U III – $6800. 14U II $6800. 16U III $7100. 16U II $7100. 18U II N/A. The cost for 8U teams will be $3500. There may be slight changes to these numbers based on any changes in ice costs when contracts are signed
We have no other “Fundraising” or “Journal” requirements, although most teams often collect a small party fund to be used for special team eve
The Annex - Even More Good Stuff -
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED
To give our players the best opportunity to improve performance – especially shooting – we established the Family Skating Annex training facility directly across the street from the rink
Outfitted with specialized hockey training systems and the highest quality equipment for strength development , the Annex offers a unique combination of assets to help the hockey player become faster, stronger, and a better shooter.
Beginning with the conclusion of tryouts, all EDGE families with players 10U and older will have Annual FAMILY Annex Membership included in their season fees. Membership for players will also include use of RAPIDSHOT and RAPIDHANDS at no cost.
A Quick Note from the EDGE President
We focus on –
Growing and maintaining friendships among players and families – typically stretching from grade school to college and beyond.
Helping players grow from children to responsible men (and women).
Striving to develop character and discipline that will empower players to become successful and healthy adults.
Teaching players to compete and finding what it takes to excel at sports and more.
I hope you have a chance to skate with us and experience what EDGE Hockey has meant to the hundreds of families that have played with the EDGE over the years.
Fred Nielsen
President, LI EDGE