ISHL
The overall purpose of the ISHL is to promote high school hockey and create new teams throughout Houston and the surrounding area to obtain 100% participation from the named school as quickly as possible. The ISHL strives to offer the high school ice hockey experience to as many high school athletes as possible. The program is designed to have teams comprised solely of players that attend the designated school. We realize that because high school hockey is still relatively new to Houston, the concept of having each team comprised 100% of players from one specific school is unrealistic. Therefore, if roster slots remain after all players from the individual schools are placed, then players from other schools in the district and other school districts will be placed. The ISHL is committed to establishing and promoting a premier high school ice hockey program in Houston. The ISHL conforms to all school district regulations as closely as possible, including the No Pass/No Play rule. The ISHL encourages and supports each team to obtain and maintain official club status through their respective school administration as quickly as possible.
Registration is now open for Varsity programs!
ELIGIBILITY
For players to be considered eligible for the 2021-22 ISHL season, the players must meet the following criteria for each league.
Varsity Eligibility - Freshman - Seniors
vARSITY
The ISHL Varsity program is the flagship ISHL program. This program is comprised of 11 teams from around Houston as well as San Antonio and College Station. Players will try out for their closest division (south or north) if they are not already zoned to a named team.
Team formation
Tryouts are tentatively scheduled for the 2nd Week of September. The regular season will begin in early October, and the season/postseason is tentatively scheduled to run into March/April.
What team would I play for?
ISHL is a High School based league. Because High School Hockey in Houston is a “thin’ sport and or player count typically doesn’t support a “pure” team, so we combine schools within ISD. Our overall goal is to provide a competitive environment for all to play. You do not pick your team. You are either on a named school based on your school zoning, or you’re drafted to a team.
zoning districts
- Non named school skaters are considered draft skaters and would skate in the tryout draft.
- Tryouts/ draft/ cuts – Full teams (18/2) may cut players, even players from their “named schools.” Those skaters would then be part of the draft. If a player is what we deem “safe to skate,” they’ll get drafted and put on a team.
- Draft skaters can re-enter the next year’s draft if they wish.
- Most players will play for the same team for their 4 years in the league.
How long is the season? – ISHL season runs from early Sept. until just after spring break in April
Games –
When-Games are typically Friday and or Sunday nights when teams play San Antonio; those games are Sunday mid-morning or early afternoon.
Duration - games are 3-15 minute stop-clock periods.
Games are typically in either at the Willowbrook (Aerodrome Ice Rink) or Sugar Land ice rinks.
A season comprises 20 - 22 games for the regular season and up to 3 more games for the playoffs.
Practices are held once a week for 60 minutes at either WB, SL, or Bellerive.
Level of play - the spread can be pretty wide as you could have a U18AA player and a freshman house player on the ice simultaneously. It depends on the depth of their team, but a travel-level freshman (AA, A) typically will get plenty of playing time and can contribute to the team's overall level of play. While a house player of average ability normally will find limited playing time and struggle to keep up.
Checking - the league is full checking.
Playing time – the league is NOT equal ice.
- Academics – the league is a no pass no play league and follows UIL academic policy.
- Cost – league fee is approximately $1,200 (Fee is set for each season could be higher or Lower). Teams may add for items such as uniforms, apparel, or additional team cost.
How do the teams operate? Teams run themselves; they select their coaches, managers, uniform kits, and additional team activities. Almost all teams will charge an additional fee to cover additional team expenses.
“I play Football, and my Football coach won’t let me play until the season is over?” We’ve heard this numerous times, you’re welcome to sign up, try out and wait, but you will still be asked to pay for the full season.
“I’m not sure if I want to play?” Register and decide later, but if you don’t register and try out, the decision has been made for you as you won’t be able to play.
I’m not from the Houston area, can I still play? No, with the exception of the San Antonio program.
Can girls play? Absolutely, almost every team has 1 or 2 girls on their roster.
My school situation is unusual (i.e., I attend a school outside of my zoning because one of my parents works there or attends an open campus, academy, etc.). How do I know who I would play for? Ask yourself, if you played football what school would you play football for? This usually will get you the correct answer, but the ISHL makes the final determination.
I’m a goalie. Is it different for goalies? No, there is, however, a separate goalie draft from skater draft.
We play or plan to play travel hockey – no problem, you can play both the Friday/Sunday format usually works well for travel players.
