Who is eligible to play in the LMIHC?

It depends on the age group. 

• For our High School teams (Varsity and JV) players must attend either Lower Merion High School or Harriton High School.  This would include any children who are home-schooled through the Lower Merion School District and eligible for extra-curricular activities at the high schools. 
• For our Middle School program, players must be in grades 5-8 and either (1) attend Welsh Valley Middle School or Bala Cynwyd Middle School, (2) live in Lower Merion Township (including Narberth) and attend another school that does not have a Middle School hockey program, or (3) live outside the Township/Narberth and attend another school located in Lower Merion Township that does not have a Middle School hockey team.
• For our Elementary School program players must be in grades 1-4 and either (1) attend one of the six elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District, (2) live in Lower Merion Township (including Narberth) and attend another school that does not have an Elementary School hockey program, or (3) live outside the Township/Narberth and attend another school located in Lower Merion Township that does not have an Elementary School hockey team.

What approximately is the annual cost to play for the Lower Merion Ice Hockey Club (LMIHC)?

The tuition does not include equipment, jerseys or the required membership in USA Hockey (which is an additional $40).

Is there a payment plan?
Tuition is payable in installments:  $100 (non-refundable) at tryouts, then in roughly equal installments in October, November and December.

Is financial aid available?
We have made aid available for those families who need assistance, either in the form of a partial scholarship or in deferring payments over a longer period.  The amount available depends on the total number of players at a specific level and how many requests there are for aid.

Is the LMIHC supported by the Lower Merion School District?
We are fortunate to receive support from the District for our high school teams.  The District pays the salaries of our Varsity Head Coach, Varsity Assistant Coach and JV Head Coach.  In addition, the District provides transportation for Varsity and JV to all practices and games as well as a financial contribution toward our High School League Fees and ice time.

The District does not give support to the Middle School or Elementary programs.

When are ice times and at which rinks?

Practices:
Varsity:               Center Ice at Oaks on Tuesdays and most Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:45 pm.
JV:                     Class of 1923 Rink at Penn on Thursdays, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Middle School:  Class of 1923 Rink at Penn on Thursdays at 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Elementary:          Springfield Ice Rink on Saturdays, 4:00 – 6:15 p.m.

Games:
Varsity/JV:       Almost all games are on Friday evenings.  Our home rink is Ice Line in West Chester, and most of our games are either there or at Ice Works in Aston.
Middle School:  All games are at Ice Line in West Chester.  Most games are on Sunday or Monday evenings.  
Elementary:       All games are at Ice Works in Aston.  Most games are on Sunday or Monday evenings.

How often do you practice and play per week?
Most weeks have one game and one practice a week.  The exception is Varsity, which has two practices most weeks.

The elementary schedule is more varied – some weeks there are two games, some weeks there is one, sometimes there is no game.  It averages once a week, though.

Do I have to pass a physical before I play?
The high school program requires a physicain’s form as with any other high school sport.  LMHS has a form called a “PIP” that must be signed by a physician.  Harriton uses the PIAA health form.  These forms are available from the office of the respective Athletic Directors.

What happens if you have to miss a practice or a game?
Each coach has his own philosophy and rules regharding missing a practice or game.  Generally, there is no sanction for an occasional conflict.  In any event, the coach should be contacted before a player misses a scheduled practice or game.

Are the LMIHC coaches qualified?
All LMIHC coaches are certified by USA Hockey.  USA Hockey requires that coaches attend seminars in order to get their credentials.

What equipment is required?
The purchase of equipment is up to the player.  For skaters (non-goalies), required equipment includes:

• Hockey skates
• Shin pads
• Hockey pants
• Athletic supporter/protective cup
• Gloves
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Helmet
• Mouth guard

Is ice hockey a varsity sport in high school?
Ice hockey is a club varsity sport.  Players get credit and Varsity or JV letters for their participation.  Club varsity status means that the program is not fully funded by the schools, nor is it a PIAA sport.  The program does, however, follow PIAA regulations.

I am a beginner.  What is available for me?
Beginners are welcome at all age levels.  For the high school teams, beginning players are often placed on a “taxi” squad with the JV.  Until such time as the player may obtain the skill to play in games, that player will participate in practices, and is of course welcome to attend the games to observe (but not dress).  When players have the necessary skills to participate, then they will be invited to dress for one or more games.  Players designated for the taxi squad are offered a reduced tuition, generally half of the JV tuition or less.

Our middle school program has two teams, a full body checking “A” team and a non-check “B” team.  Beginners will be placed on the B team and will participate in practices and games.

The elementary team especially welcomes beginners.  Most of the elementary teams in the league have a few or several players who are just starting out.

Can girls play ice hockey in the LMIHC?
We do not have a separate girls’ team, but girls are welcome on all of our teams. 

Is there transportation to the rink for games and practices?
There is bus transportation to all high school practices and games.  Players are required to ride the bus to all of these events.  Game buses leave from one high school, usually LMHS, and depending on the time and location of the game, may also stop at the other school.  Practice buses stop at both schools.

Transportation is not provided for Middle School or Elementary levels.

How can adults become involved?
The most important role of the adults is to be positive supporters of the players – not only their own player, but all of the kids.

To become more active, parents can volunteer to be team representatives.  Each team has a representative, elected annually.  The role is to provide the administrative support for each team.  The team rep is also a member of the LMIHC Board.

Other board members include representatives to each league in which we have teams:  the Inter-County Scholastic Hockey League (ICSHL – for Varsity and JV); the Ice Line Middle School Hockey League (ILMSHL) and the Delco Scholastic Hockey League (DSHL – for Elementary).  These are also elected annually.

Completing the Board are the President and the Treasurer, who are elected by the other Board Members to serve staggered two-year terms.

Whom do I contact?
Please contact any of our board members listed on the website for further information.