Even though you’re in the south, ice hockey is closer than you think. Less than 30 minutes from Fort Benning youth and adult hockey leagues play at the Columbus Civic Center. The leagues are currently looking for players and the deadline to register is Saturday.
“I think there are people who don’t know about us,” said Joe McCrea, commissioner of the adult hockey league. “We want to get the word out about the leagues and we welcome everyone to join.”
McCrea said the leagues, which are a part of the Columbus Hockey Association, are open to any skill level.
The adult league, open to players 18 and older, begins its season in November and runs until March. The season includes 20 games, followed by playoffs and a best two-of-three championship. Each team consists of 14 players. The cost is $325 per player and includes a jersey and socks.
In 2009, McCrea said five teams were in the league. He expects that many or more this year.
There were about 20 teams in the youth league in 2009, said Keith Tate, house league director. More than half the players in the youth league were from Fort Benning.
The Youth league is open to children ages 3-13. Divisions, include the mites (8 years and younger), the squirts (9- to 10-year-olds), and peewee (11- and 12-year-olds). There is a separate high school team for players in ninth to 12th grade.
The youth league begins in October and wraps up in March. The season will include 24 practice sessions and 10 games.
The league also offers a learn-to-skate program, for $140 for a half season. For returning players, the cost to play the full season in the youth league is $290. The cost includes two jerseys. Players must bring their own hockey equipment.
For the first time, a spring hockey season will be offered following the fall season, Tate said. With the addition of a $5.9 million, 35,680 square feet ice rink right next to the Columbus Civic Center, there will be plenty of time for hockey players to get in game time during the spring, he said. The rink is slated to open in February with fall league players competing in the new rink.
Registration for both leagues is from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Civic Center. There will be vendors on hand selling new and used hockey equipment. For more information, visit www.columbushockey.org or call McCrea at 706-596-4190 or Tate at 706-761-6177.
