Ice Hockey Girls
Welcome!
Princeton High School Girls Ice Hockey
Princeton High School’s home venue for games is the historic Hobey Baker Rink located on Princeton University Campus in Princeton, NJ. Come out and support the Team! Go Tigers!!
U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Beats Canada 3-2 in Shootout
When preparation meets opportunity amazing things can happen! Congrats to the U.S.A. Women’s hockey team. The sport of Ice hockey builds character in individuals and fosters strength in working in team dynamics.
USA Womens Hockey Celebrate Big Win over Canada
The celebration you work so hard all season to earn!
PHS Girls Ice Hockey Team Info, Expectations, Rules and Commitment
About the PHS Girls Ice Hockey Team
The 2020-21 season will mark 28 years of Girls Ice Hockey at Princeton High School. This is rare and a unique opportunity to play and learn this sport as very few public schools in the state of New Jersey fund a Girls Ice Hockey program. As a result of this fact we compete against teams in New Jersey but also play teams outside the state as well. We are a founding member of the W.I.H.L.M.A (Women’s Ice Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic) which is made up of Princeton High School and private school teams from Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York.
Rules for Ice Hockey
The PHS Girls Ice Hockey Team follows both the NJSIAA rules for Ice Hockey and also adheres to the rules and bylaws of the W.I.H.L.M.A (Women’s Ice Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic). Which rules we follow depends on the opponent we play (whether the opposing team is a W.I.H.L.M.A. league game or the game is a non-conference game in New Jersey).
Team Expectations
Similar to other sports, making the decision to play Ice Hockey should be decided upon after understanding the team expectations, your own outside commitments, academic workload and personal factors. A typical season consists of a minimum of 20 practices and roughly 20 games counting playoffs. As stated above, we compete in NJ and outside of the state which means there are long bus rides and it is a significant time commitment. There are days when you will miss academic classes to travel to games and you are still responsible for making up the work you missed while playing hockey. Additionally, you are expected to attend every game and practice and communicate in advance if you cannot make a scheduled event (barring sickness). Attendance is extremely important as there is a limited number of practices and games due to ice availability and cost associated with ice rental.
Practices are held 2-3 times per week at 6am before school at Hobey Baker Rink on Princeton University’s Campus which begin in early November (schedule for season can be found in rschool). Games start in December (no events during Winter Break) and continue through February until the playoffs which are held on the weekend of Presidents Day every year (hotel stay required unless held at Princeton Day School). All teams in the WIHLMA participate in the playoffs during President’s Day weekend regardless of season record which is important to note. Additionally there is a minimum of one travel weekend besides the playoffs (this season we travel to Maryland) to play. We typically will leave school early, play a game out of state, have a team dinner, stay at a hotel, play another game the next morning, grab something to eat and then head back to Princeton High School.
Important Reminder: In order to tryout for the Girls Ice Hockey team you will need to cleared with the proper medical clearance forms (see how to register for ice hockey separate page), have successfully passed the impact test (see how to register page), and have all the necessary required equipment (list provided on separate website page).
Equipment Needed to Play Ice Hockey
The following is a list of equipment that is mandatory in order to step on the ice to play ice hockey:
Hockey Skates (No figure skates allowed; hockey skates should have a snug fit but you should be able to wiggle your toes freely when skates are laced up)
Shin Guards
Hockey Socks (to be worn over your shin guards)
Hockey Tape and/or hockey girdle to hold your socks up-otherwise you can use clear hockey tape to keep socks from sliding down)
Pelvic protector/Cup
Hockey pants (the more padding the better to deflect pucks from hitting you) Note-If playing goalie specific hockey pants need to be worn.
Chest Protector/Shoulder Pads (Ideally one that fits snug and has a protective plate that covers entire chest down to your waist)
Elbow Pads
Neck Guard
Hockey Helmet (it can’t have open areas near the ears and must have a chin strap and two regular straps to hold on your head correctly)
Mouthguard (Must be attached to your helmet and worn in mouth while on ice)
Hockey Jersey (to put over your chest protector and elbow pads)
Now the fun can begin.
Helpful suggestion: If you are just starting this sport or thinking of trying the sport you should reach out to Coach Christian Herzog @ christianherzog@princetonk12.org with any questions about equipment. Additionally returning players sometimes have equipment you can borrow but it is on a first come first serve basis. Keep in mind this is not guaranteed.
Meet the Coaches of the PHS Girls Ice Hockey Team-Coach Contact Info
Head Coach- Christian Herzog
Coach Herzog started playing hockey at the age of 6 and continues to play and have passion for the sport. A personal goal of mine is to continue to build the sport of Ice Hockey in New Jersey with specific emphasis on having more female athletes participate in and develop a passion for the sport of Ice Hockey. This upcoming season will be my 12th year as the Head Coach of the Girl Ice Hockey Team at Princeton High School having previously coached the West Windsor-Plainsboro North Boys team for 7 years. I was named Coach of the Year by the Star Ledger/The Times in my first season coaching the PHS Girls Ice Hockey Team. I am also the Assistant Coach for the Boys and Girls Tennis teams at PHS and am a Social Studies/Special Education teacher at Princeton High School.
Assistant Coach- Dominic Capuano
Coach Capuano has been coaching the team for the last six years and will be returning for the next season. He played for 12 years before ending his career to focus on baseball in college. Coach Capuano works at Princeton High School as a Physical Education and Health teacher. He is also the Head Coach for the PHS Boys Baseball team and brings a wealth of knowledge about coaching and the game of Ice Hockey.
How to Register for Tryouts-Impact and Medical Forms
Click on the provided links to be directed to register for Girls Ice Hockey, complete Medical Forms and sign up for impact testing.
Mobility Drills To Improve Skating Stride-Off Ice
Off Ice-15 Minute Hockey Workout-In Preparation for On Ice Play
Breakout Tips and Techniques (Getting puck away from OUR Goalie)
Best Breakout Tactics-White Board Explanation
The Correct Way to Stickhandle
This is the starting point for beginner players. Move on to harder drills as your skills increase.
20 Stickhandling Drills To Do At Home
Off Ice Stick Handling Drills
Focus on the player in the forefront of the video. Focus on control of the puck/ball while including footwork. Beginners should start with just a stick and ball for stick handling and add footwork as your stick handling skills get stronger.
Off Ice Passing-Work on Technique
This can also be done OFF-ICE. You just need to use a street hockey puck or a tennis ball will work.
Try and avoid these common mistakes when shooting.
How to Flex Your Stick to Gain Power in Your Shot
Defensive Positioning-Using the Markings On the Ice
Common Mistakes in the Defensive Zone
Take A Break-Cool Ice Hockey Related Videos/Challenges
Never Thought I Would See This With Hockey Players
Inspirational Hockey Speech from “Miracle”-Men’s 1980 Olympic Hockey Team
Inspirational Hockey Video-Work Harder Everyday and Every Practice/Game
Inspirational Video From Coach Carter (Basketball) “We Triumph Together”
Inspirational Quotes
- Success comes to those who do not waste time comparing what they are doing with what others are doing; it enters the house of the person who says ” I’ll do my best” every day.
- Instead of spending your whole life destroying the roads you are afraid to follow, begin to love the road you are on.
- Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. (Albert Einstein)
- The most terrible of all weapons is the word, which can ruin a life without leaving a trace of blood, whose wounds never heal. So, let us be masters of our tongue and not slaves of our words. (Paul Coelho)
- “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
- “You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
― William W. Purkey - “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi - “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
― Thomas A. Edison