PLAYER TESTIMONIALS

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The Never Ever League was designed to provide adults an opportunity to learn the game of ice hockey, something most of them thought had escaped them since they had not learn to play as a child.  The program format is one that creates a super positive environment where no one feels out of place.  Everyone starts from square one, and the entire class and staff are there to support each other.  After graduation, and that experience is over, many of the participants go on to play recreational hockey, and the vast majority of them have many positive things to say about their experience on the ice.  Here are a few of those player experiences, directly from their mouths.

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​The Never Ever League is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with an interest to take up (or rekindle) the sport, and it really provides an excellent adult beginners approach to hockey with the lessons each week. The coaches are extremely well-knowledged, patient and informative with everyone, which is welcoming considering how many people they have helped put through the program. You don't have to feel nervous that you haven't played all your life like some people (or even at all) and is great for all ages and skill levels. I had played a little roller and ball hockey in the past but the first time I literally ever put on ice skates was the first week. It is perfect for anyone new to the sport and you will see definite improvements weekly and want to push yourself more each time up until the cup game, which is a great way to close out the program. It's a total blast, the atmosphere is insanely positive and welcoming, never harsh or demeaning, and you will meet great people along the way. The only bad part is that you will wish you had signed up much earlier and you will want to keep playing much longer!

​I can't say enough good things about the Never Ever League at Bill Grays Regional Iceplex!!  I have a 13 year-old son who has been playing hockey since he was 5 and, while we have had some fun together with sticks and pucks on friends' outdoor rinks, I often joked over the years about joining a hockey league.  When a friend suggested we do it together and with the enthusiastic support from my son and the rest of my family, I signed up for the Never Ever League.  My first session is coming to an end and it has been an absolute blast! 

All of the coaches -- under Tyler's AWESOME leadership -- have given excellent instruction on all the various fundamentals of hockey, from skating and puck handling skills to game play and strategy.  In addition to being incredibly encouraging and supportive, they have also made every session so much fun!  The positive environment they have created also has allowed for participants to be encouraging of one another.  There is a range of ability and expertise on the ice but those with more advanced skills have been patient during drills, helpful with tips and cheering on the victories, no matter how small, of those of us less skilled.

In addition to the excellent on-ice training we get every week, we also receive weekly e-mails with video tutorials and details about upcoming practice plans.  This has been extraordinarily helpful to organize and best utilize time for our practice sessions and has reinforced what we have learned on the ice.

I highly recommend the Never Ever League to anyone with an interest in learning to play hockey.  Being in the game on the ice myself has also given me a whole new appreciation for what my son is doing and how challenging it really is.  While super fun, hockey is a really demanding and tough game -- you have to skate fast (on a very slippery surface...!), think fast, shoot hard and even know geometry (use those boards!!)!  It has been such a great experience -- I have acquired new skills, made new friends, and had a fantastic workout.  Most importantly, I have had more fun than I could have ever imagined.

Thanks to Tyler and all the exceptional Never Ever League coaches for an amazing hockey experience.  Sign me up again!  And, Never say Never!!

​Many thanks to the Iceplex for making the Never Ever experience so informative and so much fun.  Although I played rec. league hockey over 30 years ago, I did so without ever having even a basic lesson in skating technique or hockey skills and tactics.  As a result, whenever I played I was never sure whether what I was trying to do on the ice was correct or incorrect.  I signed up for the Never Ever Program hoping to get some answers. What I got exceeded my hopes and expectations. Now for the first time in my hockey life-- and I'm 68 years old -- I have the confidence that what I'm trying to do on the ice is what I should be trying to do. Whatever hockey I have left in me is going to be more fun than ever. Thanks for giving that to me.” 

​Tyler and Joe did a great job with the league. They were patient and attentive throughout the process. Some of the other "sub" coaches were a little unsympathetic to the fact that we had never played the sport before. Overall, it was a great introduction to hockey. I look forward to continuing into NE2 and then into league play.

​I signed up for the Never Ever Program in order to get in better shape and get out of the house once a week.  Now that the program is almost over, I realize I got much more than that.  I've had the most fun I've had doing anything in many years!  The coaching staff has been amazing - pushing us to challenge ourselves but keeping the atmosphere completely positive. The friends I've made have been awesome - we've really gelled as a group and I feel we will have relationships that will last for years to come.  I invested a certain amount of time and money into this program and the payoff is way more than I expected!  It's been such an amazing experience that I have re-enrolled in the summer session with some family members who are eager to get on the ice!  Thank you to the coaching staff for making this possible!  

​I cannot say enough about the program, and even more so, the positive atmosphere that the staff created. After 11 weeks, I know that I really, really suck at hockey, but I love every single minute of it!

​The Never Ever Program was a phenomenal experience.  Before the program started, I had only skated 5 or 6 times and couldn't even stop on the ice.  The coaching staff put us through drill after drill and made it a very fun, positive learning environment.  If you're thinking about learning the game of hockey, I honestly can't think of a better way.  

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