Hockey league gives NHL new meaning

NHL players are truly a group of devoted individuals. They sacrifice their bodies to the sport of hockey, spend endless hours practicing and wake up for games at the ice pavilion that start around sunrise every Saturday morning.

While most people in Happy Valley are still fast asleep, members of the Nittany Hockey League (NHL) wake up bright and early to play the sport they love.

"It's a great way to stay in shape," said Bob Kokal (graduate-chemical engineering), a member of the NHL's Sharks and an Icer assistant coach. "I don't know why anyone else would want to get up at 5:30 in the morning."

The league is divided into two divisions, and each team plays a 35-game season. The A League has five teams and consists of more experienced players, while the B League has four teams of players who are still learning the game, Kokal said.

Mike Fitzgerald, a goalie for the Raiders, has played in the NHL since it began in the early 1980s. He said the league has become very competitive and exciting over the past 16 years.

"There's a lot of players with semi-professional talent, such as ex-Icers and other former college players," he said. "When you have that kind of skill level and those kind of players, there are a lot of scoring opportunities."

Andrew Strasser (graduate-general arts and sciences), another Shark and assistant coach for the Icers, enjoys the league because it's fun and convenient.

"I just love the game," he said. "I've played it forever, and it's a great opportunity to keep playing."

The NHL plays three days per week. Along with games early Saturday mornings, contests also are scheduled Sunday nights and Tuesday evenings. The league meets at these times because there is a large demand for ice time in State College, and it's cheaper to play early in the morning or late at night, Strasser said.

"There's not a lot of places to play, so anyone who is in the area -- be it ex-Icers, other former college players or graduate students -- this league gives them all the chance to keep playing," Strasser said.

The NHL focuses on the finesse part of the game rather than the physical aspect.

"It's a non-contact league," Strasser said, "so there's not a lot of potential for injury."

This does not mean, however, there is a lack of excitement.

"You tend to let the puck do most of the work. There's a lot of good passing and shooting," Strasser said. "You can make the riskier pass because there's not the chance of getting hit from behind. This is a gentlemen's league."

While the idea of giving up valuable sleeping time to play hockey may not appeal to most, Fitzgerald said it's not as bad as it sounds.

"I like the early games. After the game is over you feel rejuvinated for the rest of the day," he said. "It's a healthy outlet to forget about your problems for a while."