EDGE General Information
A great year !
When we started the 2022-23 season, we all wanted to get through it with none of the disruptions that characterized the past two years. With the end of the season in sight, we can happily say that everything worked out well, almost perfectly. We are confident that the 2023-24 season will be hockey as usual – and allow everyone to play and enjoy the fun of competition. We hope you will be a part of that experience!
"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 truly a hockey family. Many have had all their children play here – building relationships that spanned 15 years or more! Sons of some of our original (from the ’80’s) EDGE players are now involved with their children playing … another generation! At the EDGE we look to have fun, enhance hockey skills, and develop player’s character and personal growth .
At the same time, while we look to keep our “family” together, we also have room for new families. New players 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 performance of our “older” teams validates the path we take as EDGE teams frequently finish at or near the top of the LIAHL stand
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. Several will be playing in the EJEPL Playoffs. Teams are also likely to play in the LIAHL playoffs, and possibly will qualify for the States. The focus at the younger levels was on developing skills and letting ALL the kids play and have a good time. We all benefited from the camaraderie and fun of spending time with teammates and friends, enjoying a sport loved by all.
For 2023-24 we will focus on enhancing skill development, teamwork, and confidence, creating positive self-images for our players. We will do it while both the players (and families) have fun and the kids –especially the young ones — get to play.
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. Some other values and considerations determine the make-up of our club and 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, managers, administrators, and parents support values and goals beyond hockey. These values include loyalty, self-improvement, teamwork, dedication, and self-control. These traits often factor in player selection along with playing skills.
About the Season
Practice Locations and Schedule
Practices: Practice ice is at Port Washington and Iceworks ONLY. Games are played at Iceworks, Ice Hutch and Aviator, with Mites and Squirts playing at Port Washington. Teams will generally have two practice sessions each week. Eric Nates and his staff will provide additional power skating and shooting training sessions for our 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 from 10U II up once weekly.
- 8u : Wednesday and Friday. Nates Power skating every other Thursday – may be in addition to or in place of a practice day
- 10U Tuesday and Thursday Nates Power skating every other Thursday – may be in addition to or in place of a practice day
- 12U Wednesday and Friday Nates Power skating every other Thursday – may be in addition to or in place of a practice da
- 14U III Tuesday and Thursday – Tentative
- 14U II Monday and Wednesday – Tentative
- 16U III Monday and Wed or Thurs – Tentative
- 16U II Tues and Wed or Thurs – Tentative
- 18U II Monday and Thursday – Tentative
- 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 likely 2023-24 coaches. We also expect to add some new coaches to our teams. Remember -change is always a possibility as families may move, jobs may change.. As soon as coaches fully commit to their teams, assignments will be announced for the 2023-24 season
- 8U III Kris Nielsen,
- 8U II Sean Mcguire
- 10U III Mike Enright, Dan Gelb
- 10U II TBA , Jim hefelfinger, Kevin Prestia
- 12U III Bob Bedford, Brian Lieberman, Josh Levy
- 12U II Bryan Giancarlo, Dave Giancarlo, Dan Kim
- 14U III Robert Weston, Sean Maloney, Jon Rowe
- 14U II Mike Kavanaugh, Ben Kramer
- 16U III Phil DeGaetano, Scott Askenazy
- 16U II ED Shinnick Sr, Rich Peck
- 18U II Ed Healey, Mike Carrazzo
Continued off-ice training for the 2023-24 Season
Most developing players have two noticeable flaws…They don’t shoot well, and have not developed their strength. We attack these issues at our hockey-centric training facility -THE ANNEX – for off ice training. Each team from Squirt Major through Midget will participate in scheduled training sessions during the season, coordinated with practice dates. Hockey specific equipment and added coaching provide players added opportunity to improve and help their teams. Measured training results with the RapidShot shooting system will enable players to track progress as the season progresses. We also plan to establish baseline attributes for physical performance that will also allow players to gauge their improvement over time.
Game Locations
Home games for 12u,14u,16u, and 18u are played at Iceworks, Ice Hutch, and Aviator. Our 8U Mites and 10U 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 wish to play a more or less aggressive schedule than others. Many teams elect 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 are likely to vary somewhat from team to team. Fees will include Spring practices for all teams and Annex training for teams 10U II through 18U II. Normal season fees include practice ice (40 slots), game ice (20 home slots) , referee fees, fees for league membership, Annex training sessions, coaching, scheduling, and team management expenses, reimbursement for out of town hotels at Showcases or Tournaments, Nates training, practice jerseys if needed. 10U II and III teams will be allowed to book 2 tournaments at EDGE expense. Mites may book one Jamboree and one Tournament at Edge expense. Any tournaments booked by 12u, 14u, 16u. or 18u teams will be at their own discretion and 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 – $4100. 10U II – $4475 . 12U III $5100 . 12U II – $5100. 14U III – 5100. 14U II $5250. 16U III 5800. 16U II 5400. 18U II 5400. The cost for 8U teams will be 2750.
We have no other “Fundraising” or “Journal” requirements, although most teams often collect a small party fund to be used for special team events.
The Annex - Even More Good Stuff
To give our players an even better 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. All Edge teams 10U II and older will have off ice training at the Annex as part of their regular season activity.
Discounted Annex membership for Edge players and family along with the use of RapidShot is also available.
A Quick Note from the EDGE President
WE all love hockey at the EDGE !
Here’s what is most important to us :
Growing and keeping friendships among players and families – often 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.
Learning to compete and finding what it takes to excel at sports or anything else.
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
EDGE General Information
Hockey is Back…
Some Basic Information…
“I think that 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.” EDGE Parent
That sums up what we strive to do at the EDGE….develop character and personal growth as well as hockey skills. The EDGE is a hockey family. Many have had all their children play here – building relationships that spanned 15 years or more. Sons of original EDGE players are now involved, While we look to keep our “family” together, we also have room for new families… new players are added and readily accepted as teammates..
First… Congratulations to the EDGE teams for getting through the Covid crisis.
The challenges faced this season were monumental. Finally, after proving how hockey can be played safely, the door was opened again and games scheduled. It’s a tribute to the coaches, parents, and players that the hung together and benefitted from the camaraderie, physical and mental comfort in being together with their teammates, playing a sport they loved.
The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the players, coaches, and families was key to getting through this year – The success of our teams serves as a model for all teams to emulate – keep learning, keep developing, continue to overcome adversity and never stop working towards a common goal.
Special congratulations for our 14U team heading to the New York State Tournament (and maybe beyond) and to our 16U Team for winning the EJEPL Championship at the Diamond II Level. Regrettably a late Covid positive test caused us to remove a very talented 18U team from their qualifying opportunity.
As a group we focus on enhancing skill development, team work, confidence, and positive self image of our players, while both the players (and families) have fun. Competition ramps up as players get older and become more responsible for how they practice and play.
About the EDGE …from an acorn ….
The EDGE started in 1986 as a new group with just 2 teams and about 30 players. We now have about 175 players participating on 11 different travel teams that collectively play 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 are aware that winning is not all consuming. There are other values and considerations that determine the make-up of our club and our view how successful a season may be.
We approach tryouts each year hoping to balance the stability from the returning families- many of whom have been here for years – with opportunity for inclusion of new skaters, (whether from our house league or outside organizations) as well. We expect all players to show the 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, managers, administrators and parents support values and goals that go beyond hockey. These values include loyalty, self improvement, teamwork, dedication and self control. These traits often factor in player selection along with playing skills.
SCHEDULES :
Practices: Practice ice is at Port Washington, and Iceworks ONLY . Games are played at Iceworks, Ice Hutch, and Aviator, with mites and squirts playing at Port Washington. Teams will generally have 2 practice sessions each week, Eric Nates and his staff will provide additional power skating and shooting training sessions for our mite thru Bantam Minor teams.
NEW FOR 2021-22 SEASON : We will be using our hockey-centric training facility across the street from the rink for added training this season.. Each team from Squirt major through Midget will participate with scheduled training sessions during the season, coordinated with practice dates. Fees for these sessions will be included in the season tuition.
Games: We typically provide 20 game slots for teams to book their league schedules, resulting in approximately 40 games being played. Additional games are usually scheduled at Tournaments or in secondary leagues. We realize that some teams may wish to play a more aggressive schedule than others, and we provide opportunity for each team to find its “comfort zone” with respect to how many games they will play, and how far they would like to travel.
TEAM FEES : Years ago it was easy to establish one fee for all teams. Things have become more complicated, with different leagues, tournament arrangements, ice fees, and coaching costs affecting the budgets of teams at different levels. To be fair with players on each team, we set a basic fee for each – which covers approx. 40 practices Nates power skating, 20 game slots, LIAHL fees (including referees) and staffing. We have always acted in a financially responsible manner and have established a climate of trust based on over 30 years of operation in the community. Based on a “normal” season base fees are expected to be in the $3750-$4000. area. Costs for ice at other facilities have not yet been established and fees may rise somewhat if facilities have to recoup losses due to the corona shutdown. In any case our goal is to keep the cost of playing as low as possible. Additional fees for second league membership, off ice training, Tournament participation, and similar expenses will be added to each team based on their choices. Mite fees will be substantially lower, around $2500 for the season.
There are no other “Fundraising” or “Journal” requirements, although most teams often collect a small party fund to be used for special team events.
If you have any questions or comments regarding tryouts or the forthcoming season, please feel free to email zamtwo@aol.com or text 516-445-7907.
Good luck at tryouts!!
A quick note from the EDGE PRESIDENT:
It’s great to see the light ahead, and to get back to what we do best – teach kids to play hockey and develop as players and people.
Our overall philosophy and focus remains solidly in place.
What’s important to us is :
The long lasting friendships and memories formed and the camaraderie among players and families. often stretching from grade school to college and beyond.
Having players grow from children to responsible men (and women).
Helping to develop character and discipline that will empower players to become successful and healthy adults
Learning to compete and what it takes to excel at sports or anything else.
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