NHE is one of the largest and longest operating youth hockey programs in the State of New Hampshire. As a non-profit volunteer run organization, we have been extremely successful since inception at putting the interests of the players and families first. We are not involved with youth hockey to make a profit from parents. Year after year we produce quality teams at an exceptional value.
But other organizations say they provide “professional” coaching?
While some organizations label their coaches as “professional” because they simply pay them, we choose to label our coaches as “experts on the ice” based on their performance and dedication. Our coaches choose to volunteer and are not compensated for the time they spend with the players. That savings is passed on to the families and players without losing any quality in the level of coaches that we have. NHE, along with most youth hockey organizations in the region, understands the value and dedication of volunteer coaches. As opposed to someone who gets paid regardless of the outcome or performance of the team, our coaches are volunteers who want to be there, are vested in the teams they assist with, and are dedicated to the entire team-not specific players.
The coaching staff at NHE has been exceptional in recent years. Our coaches, have played at the professional, semi-professional and collegiate levels. Our staff has included former NHL players, NCAA division 1 stand-outs, and high school coaches from Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter High School, Winnacunnet High School, Portsmouth High School, St Thomas High School and many other programs. Both male and female, all NHE coaches are USA Hockey certified, attend annual coaching clinics, and are required to complete age appropriate modules. Selection of coaches at NHE is an annual process based on feedback from parents, with the final determinations based on experience on the ice as well as the coaches’ ability to communicate with and manage children.
What makes NHE different?
We are the only Exeter based organization offering a pathway to the USA Hockey National, Regional and Sectional Championships for boys. In 2012/2013, our Peewee 1 and Midget Major 1 teams qualified to represent the state of New Hampshire at the USA Hockey Nationals and Regionals respectively. Our teams have consistently improved over the last 10 years as we have provided a home to players from organizations such as the Jr. Wildcats, the NH Jr Bruins, the Freeze, The Blizzard, and York, ME Youth Hockey.
Prime Time Ice - We call the greater Exeter area our home! Centered in Exeter, NH provides us the opportunity to skate at two very well maintained rinks: Phillips Exeter Academy and the Rinks at Exeter-each with 2 sheets of ice for a combined 4 sheets within less than 5 miles. Having access to 4 sheets of ice allows NHE to provide practice and game times that are favorable to families.
Stability - Unlike some other local teams that have moved from rink to rink over the last few years forcing players to move to new locations or to different organizations, we pride ourselves in having created a hockey environment where the players can start as a Mite and leave as a Midget knowing that they will always have a home with NHE in Exeter. We have played in the same leagues for many years which provide excellent competition for all levels of players. We do not send our teams to Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York as this represents significant cost in both time and money to families when more local competition can provide the same challenge.
Successful - over the last few years, the success of the NHE program has been demonstrated by the talented teams that we have been able to assemble, as well as the individual achievements of our players. Many of our alumni have played at the collegiate level and fill the rosters of the local high school varsity teams.
So if you want to be a part of the best hockey experience on the seacoast, sign-up for try-outs now, or contact us.
