The Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation kicks off its showcase season with the Ice Breaker Showcase, September 25–27. It brings three days of girls hockey to 10 rinks across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The numbers show how much the league has grown. 100 teams from 32 clubs will play 200 games over the weekend, and every team is guaranteed four games. The field includes AGHF member clubs and guest teams, from Hampton Roads, Virginia, north to Connecticut and upstate New York. All five AGHF age groups will be in action: 17 teams at 10U, 18 at 12U, 26 at 14U and 39 in the combined 16U/19U bracket. There are 16 Elite teams, 40 Diamond teams and 43 Platinum teams.

The showcase format is one of AGHF’s calling cards. It gives teams four competitive games in one weekend against opponents they don’t see in the regular season, with less travel. For many players it is also the first real test of the new season.

New Faces in the Field

The Ice Breaker is the first showcase for several clubs that joined AGHF this year:

  • Union Thunder arrive with six teams, from 10U through 19U.
  • NYC Hockey Club is in its first full girls travel season. The club is run by North Park Hockey, which dates back to 1987, and brings teams at 10U, 14U and 16U.
  • Loudoun Knights, a Tier II program from Leesburg, Virginia, enter their 12U Diamond team.

The biggest group comes from the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, with 11 teams. The Princeton Tiger Lilies and New York Islanders each bring seven.

Early-Season Form to Watch

Two weekends of regular-season play have produced some hot starts. On September 19–20:

  • The Philadelphia Jr. Flyers went 3–0 in three separate divisions: 14U Diamond, 16U Diamond and 14U Platinum.
  • The New Jersey Jets swept their 14U Platinum doubleheader for the second weekend in a row.
  • NYC Cyclones, Jr. Bulldogs, Tri City Eagles, Princeton Tiger Lilies and Snider Hockey each posted perfect 2–0 weekends.

The Ice Breaker will be a first look at how those starts hold up against new opponents.

More Than Just Hockey

There will be plenty going on away from the ice. Simax will be on site at Jersey Shore Arena, Ice Vault and Igloo Ice Rink, so players and families can shop for merchandise all weekend.

Carmo Photography will cover the games at Igloo Ice Rink and Ice Line, so families can get professional photos from the first showcase of the season.

Watch Live on Black Bear TV

Can’t make it to the rink? Games at participating Black Bear Sports Group rinks will stream live on Black Bear TV, so family, friends and fans can follow along all weekend.

Friday has 10 games, then the schedule fills up with 100 games on Saturday and 90 on Sunday. The Ice Breaker Showcase starts another exciting AGHF showcase season.

Good luck to all the teams taking the ice September 25–27!