We have created this FAQ based on questions asked by the players themselves and questions we feel may arise during the signup process. (Just click on the question below to jump to the answer)

Can the A level players still play on Thursday nights?
How do I know if my skill level is best suited to Tuesday or Thursday?
Does NMHockey offer a discount if I play in multiple divisions?
Is there a discount for public service, military and teachers?
Does NMHockey provide a refund if I get injured, have to move or something else prevents me from finishing the season?
I like being able to play twice a week. What are my options if my skill level prevents me from playing both Tuesday and Thursday?
Will there be any pickup games between now and the start of the new season?
Why does NMHockey redraft teams every season?
What is a hybrid draft?
Beyond this abbreviated season, can I request to be drafted with a friend or family member?
How does the normal NMHockey draft work?
How will captains be selected for the abbreviated season?
Will you work with me on a payment plan?
How are subs arranged and what is the cost?
How will the playoffs work?
What is NMHockey’s stance on fighting?

Can the A level players still play on Thursday nights?

No. I respect the previous reasons that A level skaters played on Thursday nights, but we don’t want special rules in place based on skill level. Our goal is to achieve the best possible skill parity on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 

How do I know if my skill level is best suited to Tuesday or Thursday?

Other than the A level players not playing Thursdays, players can play where they played this past season. We will be looking closer at the division best fit for each individual over the course of the abbreviated season.

In general, one way to view skill level is if you have 80 skaters playing across the 2 divisions on Tuesdays and Thursdays and you could rank everyone from 1 to 80 (1 being the most skilled and 80 being the least skilled); 1 – 40 best fit on Tuesdays and 41-80 would best fit on Thursdays. Those players around 40 could likely play both divisions and not be a detriment to either.

Does NMHockey offer a discount if I play in multiple divisions?

Yes we do. However, being the fees are a base cost for this short season, no multi-league discount can be offered. A multi-league discount will be offered for the full season starting in January.

Is there a discount for public service, military and teachers?

As much as I personally appreciate the service of the military, first responders and teachers, there is no margin to support this discount without raising the fees for all other players.

Does NMHockey provide a refund if I get injured, have to move or something else prevents me from finishing the season?

Yes. We provide a prorated refund based on what you paid in fees and when a replacement player is found. For example, if you paid for the season in full and we are able to find a suitable replacement before your next scheduled game, you will be provided a prorated refund for the balance of all remaining games. On average, we can usually get a replacement player arranged within a couple weeks of being notified.

I like being able to play twice a week. What are my options if my skill level prevents me from playing both Tuesday and Thursday?

Once we get the season going, we will be looking at setting up a standing weekly mixed level pickup. Players could then play on a league team and play in a pickup.

Will there be any pickup games between now and the start of the new season?

Yes, providing there is enough interest. Here is the schedule of planned pickup games:

• Tuesday, October 11^th, 8:00PM-9:15PM
• Thursday, October 13^th, 9:30PM-10:45PM
• Tuesday, October 18^th, 8:00PM-9:15PM
• Thursday, October 20^th, 8:00PM-9:15PM

We will need 22 skaters and 2 goalies to pay for the ice at a cost of $10 for skaters and $5 for goalies. We can adjust the cost a little if we are only able to get 18 players. I’ll send out an email a few days before each of these to see who is interested. We will also be doing sign-ups those nights, so you could come sign-up and stick around for pickup.

Why does NMHockey redraft teams every season?

13 years ago we implemented the season draft and we have found it cuts down on rivalries, eliminates dynasty teams, allows for a better balancing of teams and, most importantly builds a more inclusive, tighter community of hockey players.

What is a hybrid draft?

This is a modified version of NMHockey’s normal team creation process for this abbreviated season which will allow some current teammates to play together. This will help to ease the transition into the full draft we will do in the first full season in 2017. The hybrid draft will be modified between the Tuesday group and Thursday group. Note: We still prefer players to sign up without restriction of playing with specific players as this allows better flexibility when balancing teams.

• Tuesday – Players can request to play with players they played with last season. This allows the teams to stay together for the abbreviated season if they wish. New players will be drafted to fill out the teams and to provide some additional balance where possible.
• Thursday – As we are collapsing from 6 to 4 teams on Thursday, there is no amicable way to allow teams to stay fully intact. However, players can request to play with some of their friends or teammates from this current season, but this will be limited to groups of 4 and all members of the group must make the same request.

Beyond this abbreviated season, can I request to be drafted with a friend or family member?

The short answer is yes. We allow no more than 2 players to be linked together and they must have the appropriate skill level to play on the same night. Family members can request to play together, as well as those that carpool to games from a long distance. There may be other special circumstances that require players to play together, but we need to have a conversation before we link players together.

How does the normal NMHockey draft work?

All players are ranked both across the league and within their respective division by the incoming and outgoing captains, division vice-commissioners and league commissioner. Each player is then given an average ranking. We first look to see if a player falls within the average ranking for a particular division. If not, we may request players to move up or down divisions.

The draft does takes place after all players in the league are signed up and paid.

Once the divisions are fully rostered, the captains meet (behind closed doors) and player’s names are literally drawn out of a hat in skill based tiers at random. This ensures each team has the same cross section of skill level. Once the teams are formed, the captains, league commissioner and divisional vice-commissioner review the rosters to ensure teams feel properly balanced. Note: We do not draft teams based on position, gender or whether players get along or do not get along.

How will captains be selected for the abbreviated season?

I will be selecting players I know are familiar with the NMHockey rules and policies on subs for this short season. As players become more familiar with the format, we will give different players an opportunity to take on the role each season.

Will you work with me on a payment plan?

Yes. I hate the thought of players that love the game not being able to play due to finances. At the same time, I have to be sure I am not personally at risk of covering a player’s fees or having to track payments on a weekly basis. In cases where players cannot afford the half season payment, I ask players to pay for at least ~5 games in advance at a time. For example, if the full 22-week season cost is $440, I can do (4) $110 payments. If this payment plan is not within a player’s budget, let’s talk before you throw in the towel.

How are subs arranged and what is the cost?

Players are required to let their captain know by 5PM the day before the game if they are going to miss in order to ensure adequate time to find a suitable sub. The captains then let me (or my designee) know who they are missing and subs are arranged that best match the skill level to the player(s) missing. We try very hard to maintain 10 skaters and goalie per team, per game.

The cost to sub for skaters rostered to a team is $10 per game. The cost to sub for players not rostered to a team is $15 per game. The cost to sub for goalies, rostered or not rostered, is $10 per game. Sub fees are paid to the scorekeepers at the time when they check in with them once they get on the ice before the game.

How will the playoffs work?

We will not have playoffs for this abbreviated season. We may do a championship and consolation game based on regular season standings the final week just for fun. If you are curious about the NMHockey playoff and championship/consolation format, please follow this link: Playoff format for 4 Team Division

What is NMHockey’s stance on fighting?

NMHockey does not tolerate fighting. A minimum additional 5 game suspension will be imposed in addition to the automatic 1 game that comes with any game misconduct given by USAHockey, as well as a 1-year probation. This is not negotiable. We urge all players to review NMHockey’s rules at https://nmhockey.com/about-us/the-rules