Empire

According to the EAHC website, EAHC will manage and supervise league play for approximately 100 youth hockey teams in the greater Rochester area this year. Teams range from Red, White, Blue (RWB) 6U and 8U through Midget 18U. Although not considered a “Travel” program, teams in the EAHC are comprised of organizations in Rochester, Webster, Canandaigua, Brockport, Batavia, and Geneseo. Travel during away games to the above locations will be required. In addition to away league games, team managers and coaches may coordinate the competition in both in-state (local) and/or out of state tournaments throughout the year. These tournaments will require teams to participate in fundraising to cover the registration/entry fees associated with them. Additional costs, ie. travel, lodging, and food will be the responsibility of the player/family.

The basic philosophy of the EAHC is the concept of “Equal ice time” for skaters. This means that each registered skater has the same opportunity to play hockey and skate on the ice as any other player on that team. The concept behind this is to prevent key skilled players from skating or taking longer shifts than others, thus dominating the game. When one or two highly skilled players skate the vast majority of the game it prevents other from advancing their skills, works to decrease teamwork, negatively affects team morale, and is generally seen as poor sportsmanship. Empire is a voluntary recreational league with a firm belief in the Zero Tolerance Policy and the conviction that all skaters have a place to play the game of hockey.