Nonotuck Valley Hockey Association is a non-profit youth hockey association that runs ice hockey and ice skating programs for kids from Easthampton, Northampton, Hatfield, Chesterfield, Southampton, Huntington, Whately, Cummington, Goshen and other parts
Teams representing the Nonotuck Valley Hockey Association participate multiple divisions in the Greater Springfield Hockey League (GSL). The GSL is based primarily in the Springfield, MA metropolitan area. More information is available on theGSL website
NVHA offers the following teams for play in the GSL:
Novice Team (suitable for young players in the 5-7 year old range).
This team practices Saturday mornings at Williston rink in Easthampton with the Learn to Play program. You must register for the Learn to Play program and you will be placed on a Novice team by the association as spots become available.
The NVHA Novice team plays in the Novice division of the Greater Springfield League (GSL). The GSL follows the American Development Model or ADM, a nationwide model for successfully developing American hockey players. The ADM recommends that for younger players, the ice surface be divided into sections and multiple cross-ice games be played simultaneously. This results in a better experience for the players with more chances to handle the puck and it also substantially reduces the cost to each team. More information on the ADM can be found here.
This team plays one cross-ice game on Sunday morning at the Olympia Ice Rink in West Springfield
The games in the Novice division of the GSL are played in a 3-on-3 cross-ice format using a smaller than normal goal and no goalies. Coaches are on the ice to help the kids. No score is kept in these games and the emphasis is on fun and participation.
Cost is estimated to be $95 per 7 week session with approximate session dates:
Session 1: October and November
Session 2: December and January
Session 3: February and March
Registration deadline for each session is 3 weeks before the session begins
This team is entirely suitable for beginners with little or no skating or hockey experience. It is very low-key, fun and non-competitive. If you have any questions about your child's readiness for this program, please contact
Mite Team (for players 6 to 8 years old)
This team practices at least once per week, either in Easthampton or Holyoke. Practice is 50 minutes long and starts no later than 7:10PM
This team plays 1 or 2 half-ice games on Saturdays and Sundays. Most of the games will be in be in Springfield or the surrounding communities
Cost for the season is estimated to be $675. This includes hockey socks and use of an NVHA jersey for the season
Season starts Sept 1 and ends in mid-March
This team is suitable for players who have some skating background but hockey experience is not required. If you have any questions about your child's readiness for this program, please contact
Squirt Team (for players 9-10 years old)
This team practices 1-2 times per week, either in Easthampton or Holyoke. Practices are 50 minutes long and start no later than 7:10pm
This team plays 1 or 2 full-ice games on Saturdays and Sundays. Half the games will be at our home rink in Easthampton, half the games will be in surrounding communities
This team typically plays in one tournament, which are included in the fee
Cost for the season is estimated to be $1150 and includes the tournament, hockey socks, use of an NVHA jersey for the season.
Season starts Sept 1 and ends in mid-March
This team is suitable for players who have some skating background. Hockey experience helps but is not required. If you have any questions about your child's readiness for this program, please contact
PeeWee Team (for players 11-12 years old)
This team practices on two weeknights per week, with practices 50 minutes long, starting no later than 8:10pm.
This team plays 1 or 2 full-ice games on Saturdays and Sundays. Half the games will be at our home rink in Easthampton, half the games will be in surrounding communities
Cost for the season is estimated to be $1150. This includes a tournament, hockey socks, use of an NVHA jersey for the season.
Season starts Sept 1 and ends in mid-March
Most players at this level will have have hockey experience, but not necessarily organized hockey. If you have any questions about your child's readiness for this program, please contact
Bantam Team (for players 13-14 years old)
This team practices on two weeknights per week, with practices 50 minutes long, starting no later than 9:00pm.
This team plays 1 or 2 full-ice games on Saturdays and Sundays. Half the games will be at our home rink in Easthampton, half the games will be in surrounding communities
Cost for the season is estimated to be $1150 and includes tournament, hockey socks, use of an NVHA jersey for the season.
Evaluations for this team are in March
Season starts in Sept. and ends in mid-March
If you have any questions about this program, please contact
