» What purpose does NEH serve?
Northeast Elite Hockey is a well-established developmental youth league for players ranging from mites to high school. For more than 10 years NEH has remained true to it’s philosophy--to focus on developing players through practices and skills sessions overseen by experienced, professional coaches. The NEH model of two practices, one skills session, and one weekly game provides the optimal balance of learning and playing opportunities. Though many youth organizations have expanded the number of games played per season, typically at the expense of practice opportunities, it is NEH’s belief that the 3:1 ratio of practices to games allows young players to acquire and assimilate the skills needed to succeed in increasingly higher levels of the sport.

» What level teams will the NEH offer in 2012-13?

• High School Preseason Division
• Midget U16 Full Season
• Bantam (99-00)
• Pee Wee (01-02)
• Squirt (03-04)
• Mite (05-06)

Each level will have 6 teams. There will be teams located in Walpole, MA at the Iorio Arena and at the Cranston Veteran's Memorial Rink in Cranston, RI.

» What is included in my tuition?
50 practices, 25 skill sessions, and 25 games as well as a Game Shirt, Practice Shirt, Socks, Bag, Hat & TShirt

While other leagues have 30 practices a year we have 60. We believe that players need a 3 to 1 practice to game ratio to really develop (click here to learn more). Our program includes an experienced coaching staff and a weekly schedule including two practice hours, a high intense skill session, and a competitive game. NEH is committed to player development!

» My player skates for their high school team. Do you have a division for them?
Yes the NEH has a high school division consists of 6 very competitive teams. The level of this division is very high to prepare the NEH player for a varsity high school hockey season. The season will consist of 18 games to be held on Saturdays and Sundays with 9 skills sessions each being held on Monday’s after school. The games will have two (2) twenty three-minute periods. All coaches will be high school coaches.

» Can you tell me about the NEH coaches?
All NEH coaches are paid professional coaches who are trained accordingly. Each coach must complete 15 hours of training with directors Rob Barletta and Rob Reilly prior to coaching in the NEH. There are also guidelines that each coach must follow through out the season to fully develop each player on their team. Coaches are monitored through out the season on a weekly basis. To see coach bios, click here.

» Do all players play an equal amount of time?
Yes, the NEH is player development for ALL players. Each coach plays all players equal and gives them ALL confidence and knowledge in each game. There is no power play or penalty killing units. Each player needs to be able to compete in all situations on the ice.

» Who runs the Skills Sessions for the NEH?
Rob Barletta's hockey school will be running the skill sessions for all NEH players. Each week our coaches will work to sharpen the individual's talents and skills. All drills are done at full speed with the coaches pushing each player to their full potential. Areas to be covered are forward and backward skating, shooting, pivoting, crossovers, stops, starts and fundamentals. You can check out RB Hockey’s Web site at www.rbhockey.com.

» What do you do for goalies?
We believe that the goalies are the most important part of any team. NEH goalies get a weekly skill session with our goaltending coaches. You can check out the website at www.rbgoalie.com.

» Are all NEH teams balanced out?
In Tryouts there will be a draft among coaches to pick the teams. In June we have a draft day where players come and play games so that the coaches can evaluate them. Then once the season starts, after ten weeks of watching and evaluating teams, players may be traded to balance off the teams so that each team is evenly matched and the competition is always as best as possible.

» Can you tell me about the competition level in the NEH?
The talent NEH produces speaks for itself. If you are interested in watching a game look at the schedule on the web site and see for yourself. Please visit our alumni page and see how successful many of the current and former NEH players are at the high school level.

» Do you allow players to play for their town teams?
Yes. NEH understands that players have friends who live in the same town and play with. However, NEH does require players to have a 100% commitment to our league if a scheduling conflict does arise.

» Do the NEH teams play in tournaments during the season?
Individual NEH teams are welcome and encouraged to participate in outside tournaments. In years past, our NEH teams have played tournaments in Waterville Valley, Canada, New York, Lake Placid, Rhode Island, Marlboro and Quebec.