Raleigh beerleaguers

[Guyute]

Who is playing, where, and at what level?
I'm doing some pick-ups and trying to get back into it. Figure I'll join a league soon, C for sure. Prob Int, but will give pick-up a few weeks and see.

One of the assistants I coached with for my son's team plays at the Iceplex, wants me to join. I'm doing pick-up there. Damn Olympic ice about killed me last night though when we only had 10 ppl for a game, no line changes, for 90 mins. That sheet is way too big. lol

[Kat]

The hockey director at the IP is notoriously awful, especially at keeping games in-level.

That Thurs night C league skills/pickup can definitely kick your a$$.

I would recommend trying either the Factory or the Garner/Cary leagues. I hear both are run substantially better than the IP.

[StormChaserBH]

I've run a team at the RecZone on Sunday (C) for about 6 yrs. 15 teams there now in 3 C divisions. Our current season runs Jan-June; I don't need any regulars -at the moment-, but I am always collecting contacts, for subs or when spots open up. (oh, and sometimes we're in puck_it's division, sometimes not :) )

BTW, I've heard numerous people over the years joining the RZ echo Kat's first phrase.

[Guyute]

Most of the dads I did assistant coaching with this past RYHA season are on WF teams. The downside to playing out there is it's a 20 or so minute ride, whereas the IP is less than 10, and RZ is 12-15. I guess it's not a huge difference.
I'm not looking to be on a team that wins all the time, I'm really looking for playing with good people that I get along with.

That's the one reason I was considering IP, one of my co-assistant coaches is on a team there that is all similar/friendly guys. Then again, they're getting beat down every game this season, so maybe I want a happy medium. lol

I'm on the "call for sub" list from a couple of the guys, so I may get to try out some league play at some point before I join one, which would be nice.

Thanks for the info :)

[StormChaserBH]

20 minutes! :) I played on both teams in my club for about 3 years; the other team's at WF, a 45 minute drive for me... got tired though of getting home nearly 2am on a work night, so i had to drop back to 1 team.


I'm not looking to be on a team that wins all the time, I'm really looking for playing with good people that I get along with.


That's what it's all about for me/us. We've got a good group and we play hard but it's all about the fun, celebrating our mad weekend-warrior skillz :D, oh and the post-game brew :beer: of course. Sometimes we finish a season like 12-4 -ish, sometimes 4-12 -ish, but as long as everyone's giving their best (whatever that is) for the team and having fun, it's all good.


I'm on the "call for sub" list from a couple of the guys, so I may get to try out some league play at some point before I join one, which would be nice.

Thanks for the info :)

That's a good way to put a toe in the water and make sure the skill levels and personalities match what you're looking for. Send me info in PM if you want to be on another sub list; either way good luck and good skating.

[Guyute]

You playing on a set night? One of the things I least like about the team that wants me at IP, is that their games can be any one of 4 different days/nights. Scheduling with a family like that is brutal at best.
There's a lot to be said for games on the same day each week :)

[Kat]

I definitely agree with you J. When I consider going co-ed again, I wind up shying away from the IP for that reason. My house league (women) is always at 6:30 on Sundays which is perfect.

I would love to join the Cary/Garner league as I hear it's the most balanced/monitored, but the drive to Garner deters me.

[StormChaserBH]

Ya, we're always on Sunday. With so many teams (15 now) the start times can vary.. anywhere from 2:00p (if RYHA isn't using the ice) or 3:30p to 10:45p, but that also means you only have the late one (and the early one) a couple times a season.

[puck_it]

(oh, and sometimes we're in puck_it's division, sometimes not :) )

yer mom! yeah, we never know what the divisional alignment is going to be. it's a pain in the ass. do we play you guys this season? i dont even know.

to follow up on Kat's statement.... **** the ice plex's adult league. it's dirty, penalties are seldomly called, and leads to chippy, hacky, dangerous play. I've been checked from behind there so many freaking times its not even ****ing funny. I've been fortunate enough to catch myself each time, but i dreaded my games there. And the league director 'refs' just about every game, which does jack ****.

i'm pretty happy with the officiating at the factory; reczone is generally ok; cary/garner it's been years, but it's usually the same pool as the factory's.

the way the league is run... reczone is all over the place, schedules released in segments, bye weeks, etc. factory im pretty happy with, i have disagreements at times, but usually find some resolution. ice plex, **** them. cary/garner, it's been too long to comment.


guy, you know how to find me--i play at the Factory and the RZ. we like winning, but it's really all about cold beer.

[Guyute]

we like winning, but it's really all about cold beer.
Well that damn sure sums me up. lol.

Thanks for all the info. Certainly seems like IcePlex is widely regarded as crap.
I've really grown fond of the Factory. I know tons of people there since it was our home base for Cole's fall season, and they've all been great.

They seem to have set nights too, which is great. Though C1 (couple of coaching guys I worked with in that league) is Wednesdays which, is Shell's standard night out. That's a big drag.

puck_it, Ken was the coach of Cole's team this year. I see he is on your team. Judging by his PIMs, I know where his kid gets it. lol

[Kat]

to follow up on Kat's statement.... **** the ice plex's adult league. it's dirty, penalties are seldomly called, and leads to chippy, hacky, dangerous play. I've been checked from behind there so many freaking times its not even ****ing funny. I've been fortunate enough to catch myself each time, but i dreaded my games there. And the league director 'refs' just about every game, which does jack ****.


Yes, that. I echo every sentiment expressed, including a guy that went out of his way to check-from-behind each of the 3 girls on the team with no penalty called (except on the guy on our team that lined him up a few times).

I saw more than one outright fight, bench clearing brawls, etc. Geez, people, we have to go to WORK in the morning.

[Guyute]

Think y'all have talked me out of IP league play. Sounds like I owe you one, for doing so.

[puck_it]

yeah dude. their adult league is a ****ing gong show.

[Kat]

yeah dude. their adult league is a ****ing gong show.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Guyute]

Anybody do regular pickup nights at RZ or WF?
I'm still on Thursdays @ IP for now, but one night really isn't enough. I'm trying not to play around the kid's bedtime, as that makes them a bit more of a hassle for Shell. But I know there's some 9 and 9:30 pickup starts around town, which would probably work.

IP pickup this past week I got a feel for what type of player y'all were talking about. Dude slashed me in the head twice, threw an elbow, etc. He must have been pissed I came away with the puck every damn time. lol. But yeah, total jerk, and if that's the standard player around there, I'm not up for that.

[Darkwing]

the icehouses are full of 17 year olds who only pass when they're about to jump off the ice - at least in on pickup nights. friday @ noon in cary at the icehouse seems to be the best for pickup if you can make it. I'm still trying to decide which league I want to join in the summer. Halp :(

[Guyute]

Yeah, couple of kids who never pass are standards on pickups for me at IP. Thurs p-u there is after the LTP class, so it's kind of a developmental night. Yet you have B-league type players puck-hogging so they can take breakaways. Insanely annoying.

My current session runs til 4/21, then I have to decide what I want to do. I think a Wake league starts up right around then, so maybe I'll try the Monday night league. I don't know of anyone currently playing on that night/league though, so I guess I'll just have to try my luck with a random team.

If anyone else has other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Wed nights are out for me, but others are good.

[caniac_80]

Hey Kat...do you play on the TB's? I have watched them a few times before doing the class that meets afterwards in Cary. Started LTP Hockey about a year ago and started skating about 2 years ago. Going to be doing a clinic this summer at the RZ in hopes to get on a team. Right now I am doing the Women's LTP Hockey at the RZ on Tuesday and also the Cary class on Sunday nights. In regards to the Thursday night at IP, I have heard very similar stories from people I Skate with that have gone out there.

[Kat]

Hey Kat...do you play on the TB's? I have watched them a few times before doing the class that meets afterwards in Cary. Started LTP Hockey about a year ago and started skating about 2 years ago. Going to be doing a clinic this summer at the RZ in hopes to get on a team. Right now I am doing the Women's LTP Hockey at the RZ on Tuesday and also the Cary class on Sunday nights. In regards to the Thursday night at IP, I have heard very similar stories from people I Skate with that have gone out there.


I do play with the TB, yes. Our house league, that plays before the LTP, starts its summer season the week after Easter, and it's a mixed skill level group that is balanced and very beginner-friendly.

If you are interested, PM me. I manage one of the teams. :)

[Darkwing]

i want to get on a team willing to spend decent money on cool jerseys :( halp.

[Guyute]

RecZone is starting a Friday night D/Lower C pick-up, with plans of turning it into a league. I still don't know where I fall... maybe Lower C, I dunno. I'm going to go to the pick-up and see what kind of folks show up. If you're interested and haven't seen that email, PM me your addy and I'll get you on the info list.

I'm still heavily leaning towards the Monday at Wake league. Haven't found anyone who plays on it that I know, but oh well.

PS- IP pick-up last night showed me even more what you guys were talking about. Got boarded (square in the back) twice. Saw someone take a 2-handed swing at someone too. This is a developmental no-hit p-u. Hate to see what league play is like there.

[StormChaserBH]

RecZone is starting a Friday night D/Lower C pick-up, with plans of turning it into a league. I still don't know where I fall... maybe Lower C, I dunno. I'm going to go to the pick-up and see what kind of folks show up. If you're interested and haven't seen that email, PM me your addy and I'll get you on the info list.


I know Chris said they're starting a Summer Developmental program at the Zone on Sunday (after our regular Spring league schedule ends), with a plan/goal of building a team ready to enter the lower C for Fall season. I see it on their master schedule starting Sunday 6/19, 5-6:30pm. I haven't heard anything about Fridays!

[Guyute]

Tammie is sending out most of the messages/info. P-U supposed to start 4/29, Friday @ 9:30-10:45.

[puck_it]

yeah dude, keep your head on a swivel.