Hockey for Every Skill Level

NYCPHA Rec League

Our Rec League is a great way to get some exercise, help novice players learn the game, and intermediate players to fine tune their skills. Novices will feel comfortable playing in this league because of its low pressure atmosphere and the added benefit of playing with and learning from more experienced players.

Games are played at Chelsea Piers Sky Rink every Sunday at 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM with the exception of scheduled bye weeks. We operate two seasons per year: Spring/Summer (March – August) and Fall/Winter (September – February). Registration for each season typically starts 6-8 weeks before the start of the season.

The NYCPHA Rec League differs from the Sky Rink Adult Hockey League in two key ways:

• All players are members of the NYCPHA, and must adhere to our Code of Conduct. Members must support a friendly, welcoming environment for all players. We are an LGBTQ+ Community driven organization, and our league is centered around this community and mission.
• All teams are evenly assigned novice and intermediate players in order to keep games fun and competitive. Novices will feel comfortable playing in this league because of its low pressure atmosphere and the added benefit of playing with and learning from more experienced players.

If you are interested, please fill out a Self Evaluation Form. Depending on your hockey experience, we may suggest other leagues or a higher level NYCPHA team that might be a better fit for your skill level. The NYCPHA board has the right to remove a player from Rec League if they are considered to not meet our eligibility criteria and/or do not comply with the policies of the league.

Game Format

Each game will have a 5-minute warm-up period followed by three 15-minute stop-time periods. There will be a 1-minute intermission between periods. In the event of a tie game at the end of regulation, a 5-minute sudden death running time 4-on-4 overtime will IMMEDIATELY start. The first team to score in overtime wins. If neither team scores, a shootout will decide the game. The shootout will start with a best of three. If still tied after the best of three, then the shootout goes to sudden death. In the event there is only one goal tender, the game will go straight to a shoot out. In a shootout, the captain must pre-select their first three shooters who will wait on the ice for their turn to shoot. All other players including the captain must remain on the bench. No player may shoot twice until all players have shot at least once.

Game Rules

Games will be played under standard USA Hockey rules with the following exceptions:

• Icing will be called when a player shoots the puck across both blue lines and the opposing team’s goal line, and the puck remains untouched (“Blue-line Icing”). Any pucks shot from outside a team’s own defensive zone will not be considered icing. No changes are allowed on icing.
• Faceoffs may only occur on the nine faceoff dots.
• When stop-time is in effect, an eight goal differential will result in running time.
• Faceoffs stay in the zone if the puck goes out of play directly off the net.
• No single player can score more than three goals in any single game, including overtime and shootout, a.k.a., “The Hattrick Rule”.  Any goal scored violating this rule shall be disallowed, and a faceoff shall occur at center ice.
• Slapshots are allowed.

Alternate Skaters

Alternates are members of the organization who can’t commit to a full season and play on a per-game basis. We use them to keep the teams balanced when there is missing attendance each week. Full-time skaters may also be picked to alt in a game. It’s also a great opportunity to join the league mid-season.

Competitive Hockey

The NYCPHA offers competitive teams across multiple divisions at Chelsea Piers. We have two teams in D8b, and one team each in D8a, D7, D5. The lower the number, the more competitive the teams are (D1 being the most competitive). These games are usually on Saturday nights, starting as early as 5:30 PM or as late as 11:30 PM. For the winter we have two teams at two outdoor leagues, one at Prospect Park and the other at Central Park. Those games are on various nights during the week. Currently, all teams are full, but you may be able to join as an alternate skater with the approval of the team captain. There may be spots open for next season too and you’ll still need approval from those captains to see if you can join them.