Best Adult Hockey Leagues In The Peninsula

The 2012-2013 professional hockey season has just begun and with it brings interest not only in the NHL's San Jose Sharks, but also interest in adult hockey leagues. While the Peninsula is not exactly considered a hotbed for hockey activity compared to towns like Minneapolis, Buffalo or Montreal, there are plenty of great adult leagues that operate in Peninsula hockey rinks. Each league features teams whose members are based upon their ability, whether it's a beginner or an advanced skater. USA Hockey rules and standards apply to all Peninsula hockey leagues.

Pacific Hockey Association Adult League
Ice Center San Mateo
2202 Bridgepoint Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 574-1616
www.icecenter.netPrice: Price: $496 per person or $7440 per team

The Pacific Hockey Association is the original adult hockey league in the Bay Area and has league play at the Ice Center in San Mateo and Cupertino's Ice Center in South Bay. The league offers a winter and summer session comprised of 17 games and league playoffs. The winter season began on September 30^th and runs through March 2013. There are six conferences within the league and players are assigned based upon skill levels.

Adult Beginner Hockey League
Ice Center San Mateo
2202 Bridgepoint Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 574-1616
www.icecenter.net

Price: $399 per person

The Pacific Hockey Association also runs the Adult Beginner School for individuals who are new to the sport. The school consists of 15 one-hour ice sessions to cover all of the basic skills necessary to participate in an organized league game. Once players complete the beginner's school, they will be placed on a team with other players and participate in league games. The next beginner program begins Sunday, January 6^th.

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Northern California Women's Hockey League
www.ncwhl.com

Ice Oasis
3140 Bay Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 364-8090
www.iceoasis.com

Belmont Iceland
815 Old Country Road
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 592-0533
www.belmonticeland.com

Price: Skaters only, $425 and $475 after early registration ends, Goalies only, $100 and $125 after "early registration" ends, Skater plus Goalie, $525 and $600 after "early registration" ends

The Northern California Women's Hockey League is a volunteer, non-checking, recreational women's ice-hockey league that uses two Peninsula rinks - the Iceland in Belmont and the Ice Oasis in Redwood City, in addition to Fremont's Sharks Ice facility in South Bay. There are four divisions ranging from entry level to advanced. Prior to league play, all players except for those in the entry-level division must participate in a placement process to determine their division. The winter season began on September 4^th and runs through March 17^th.

Adult 4-on-4 Hockey League
Belmont Iceland
815 Old Country Road
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 592-0533
www.belmonticeland.com

Price: $454 per person

The Adult 4-on-4 Hockey League at the Belmont Iceland offers a 15-game regular season with double-elimination playoffs after the season ends. The four-player team enables each player to enjoy more puck time than they would on a traditional team. The league is open to B- and C-division level players. Each team consists of up to 10 players, including a goalie. The current season runs through November 7^th with a new season beginning in January.

Nazareth Ice Oasis Adult Hockey Club
Ice Oasis
3140 Bay Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 364-8090
www.iceoasis.com

Price: $139.85 per month for one league, $244.84 for two leagues, $110.83 for the beginner's league

The Nazareth Ice Oasis offers two seasons each year for co-ed league play – February through July and August through January. There are seven skill levels and each level is assigned one day of the week on which their games will be scheduled. Some players may elect to participate in more than one skill level but this requires an extra fee. The beginner's league games are held on Saturday nights.

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Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. His work can be found on Examiner.com.