What does being an IceJack player involve?

 

Becoming an IceJack is a very special privilege.  It requires more than just exceptional skills as a hockey player; Hard Work, Dedication, Loyalty, Integrity, Honesty, Perseverance and Coachability are key aspects our coaching staff requires of all our players.  Because you represent the IceJacks and NAU, our players are held to a higher standard, in school, on and off the ice. 

 

Because the Ice Hockey teams are a club sport at NAU, we receive no formal funding from the university and all players must pay season dues, provide their own equipment and participate in fundraising and community service.  We have been voted the most popular sports team on campus by the student body, for 6 years running, even over the NCAA teams.  We have nearly a thousand screaming fans at every home game, our games are broadcasted by the university's radio station, KJACK radio, and we internet broadcast video of our games.  For road trips, we travel on 58 passenger coach busses (occasionally, we fly to the farthest away destinations) and we stay in nice hotels.

 

Our equipment room at the rink boasts a BladeMaster, single station skate sharpener, a skate riveter and a skate oven.  There is no hockey pro shop in Flagstaff, so we try to keep our basic needs stocked, but the equipment is available from Behind The Mask hockey pro shops in Phoenix, with whom we have a discount program and receive weekly deliveries.

 

At NAU, we have one of the top hockey programs in the ACHA, with 6 National Finals appearances in the last 7 years.  We recruit top hockey players from all over the country, including Alaska, Canada and overseas.  There has been a hockey team at NAU for over 40 years, and in the 80's when the team was NCAA, 5 future NHL players were IceJacks.

 

Ask any IceJack alumni and they will tell you, that playing hockey at NAU was the best years of their career,  they made lifelong friends here.  The IceJacks are more the friends; we're brothers, we're a family.

 

How do I become an IceJack?

 

To be eligible, you must be an accepted and attending student of Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff campus. You're credit hours and grades must be maintained to ACHA minimum standards (min 12 credit hours, min cumulative 2.0 GPA), as well as attending all team functions (practices, dry land, meetings, fundraisers and games).

 

Although we do recruit players as mentioned, our tryouts are OPEN to any NAU student meeting the above requirements.  You must attend tryouts in August and be selected for one of our two teams (Division 2 or Division 3).  If selected, you must pay your team dues in full, and adhere to our scholastic, behavioural, and social media policies at all times

 

The privilege of wearing the NAU jersey involves a significant financial, scholastic, time and moral commitment.

 

How do I apply to Northern Arizona University?

 

Visit www.NAU.edu for more information

 

When is the deadline to apply to NAU?

 

Visit www.NAU.edu for more information

 

When does Prospect Camp (Training Camp) begin and for how long?

 

Prospect camp is a week-long hockey camp, run by NAU Hockey, during the first week if classes.  Since Flagstaff is located at 7000' elevation in the Arizona mountains, this camp is an excellent opportunity for incoming players to acclimate to the altitude.  Take the altitude seriously, IT"S NO JOKE, and playing at this elevation is unlike anywhere else you have played before.

 

When do Tryouts begin and for how long?

 

Tryouts are a week-long evaluation of players and are held during the second week of classes.

 

What is the cost of participating in Prospect Camp and/or Tryouts?

 

The cost can change from season to season, for the 2022 season the cost of Prospects Camp will be $200.00 and the cost of the Tryout was also $200.00

 

Does everyone have a fair shot at making the teams?

 

Yes.  We evaluate every player that attends tryouts.  However, it's not only your playing skills that are evaluated; Hard Work, Dedication, Loyalty, Integrity, Honesty, Perseverance and Coachability are key aspects our coaching staff requires of all our players and often, we speak with your former coaches and teammates before we make our selections.  Our ultimate goal of winning a National Championship governs the decision-making process in putting the best team on the ice we can.  Because you represent the IceJacks and NAU, our players are held to a higher standard, in school, on and off the ice.

 

As we say at NAU Hockey " We're not looking for the best players, we're looking for the right ones ".

 

What is the difference between Division 2 team and Division 3 team?

 

The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) is the governing body of over 400 College and University club affiliated ice hockey programs in the United States.  Operated much like the NCAA, the ACHA provides structure, rules and format, insurance, regulates operations and promotes the quality of collegiate ice hockey in the United States.  Unlike most other "club" sports at Colleges and University's, the ACHA provides a legitimate, professionally run league for dedicated ice hockey programs to compete on a national level.  There are three divisions in the ACHA (D1, D2, and D3), at NAU we have two teams; Division 2 and Division 3. 

 

Technically, the lower number is the the higher skilled division, however, this is a generalized framework for the application of the ACHA league format.  Division 3 for example, is a tricky division to play in because most schools that have only one team play in D3, therefor, all their skill is dedicated to that one team often making them better than many D2 teams.  There are only 59 D1 programs in the US, compared to 192 in D2 and 155 in D3.  The reasons a program chooses to have one team, several teams, or play in one of these divisions can very based on many factors.  

 

Can a player be moved from one team to another (D2 to D3 or D3 to D2)?

 

Yes, however, the ACHA restricts this roster movement.  Players can only be moved between division levels during the summer (off-season) or during the semester break at Christmas time.  If a player is being moved from a higher division to a lower one (from D2 to D3 for example) this can only be done during the summer (this rule prevents "stacking" teams for playoffs).  Oppositely, a player can be moved up (from D3 to D2) during the semester break or during the summer.

 

As an organization, the IceJacks place players on whatever team we feel is best for the player, the team and the organization as a whole.

 

What is the cost of participating in the Ice Jacks program for one of the teams?

 

The cost can change from year to year.  For the 2013-2014 season, the individual player dues are $2,600.00 for the REGULAR SEASON ONLY.  This fee is the same for both the D2 and D3 teams and includes all ice related fees, travel (bus and hotel), team equipment/supplies, team jerseys, practice jerseys, pant shells, game socks, a warm-up jacket with your name and number, league fees, insurance, etc.

 

YOUR $2,600.00 PLAYER DUES DOES NOT INCLUDE REGIONAL OR NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS.  Additional dues will be required based on qualifying and we expect to qualify each year.  The location of these tournaments will play a factor in the cost of these trips.

You will be required to buy separately, a navy blue helmet and navy blue/gold/white gloves.  You must provide your own hockey equipment and your equipment must meet all requirements under ACHA and USA Hockey rules and regulations.  You must pay for your own meals on road trips.

 

How many times a week does the IceJacks practice?

 

Each team has two, 90 minute on-ice practices per week, as well as 3-4 hours of off-ice team conditioning, strength and agility training. 

 

Where do the IceJacks practice and play their games?

 

All practices and home games are held at the Jay Lively Memorial Arena (the "Jay") in Flagstaff, AZ.  Road games can be anywhere depending on the opponent, however, the majority of away games are played against teams in the Western/Southwestern United States.  Regional and National Tournaments can be anywhere in the US. 

 

Can I keep my equipment in the locker room at Jay Lively Arena?

 

No.  Although, we do have our own locker room at the rink, it is not dedicated to NAU Hockey and is available to other user groups, plus, we have two teams to consider.  You will need to take your gear home with you after each ice session.  Take this into consideration when making/choosing your living arrangements at school.  Players have commented before about the difficulties of dealing with your equipment when living in one of the dorms, especially the older buildings.  By their second semester most of our players end up rooming together by renting housing off campus.

 

When does the ACHA season officially begin and end?

 

NAU Hockey starts the first week of classes in late August.  The first games are usually at the end of September and the season runs through March with a one month break at Christmas.  

 

Is there a summer program you want your players employing?

 

Each year our teams get better.  Even a returning player runs the risk of not making the team next year if he doesn't stay in shape and continue to improve your skills over the summer.  There is no required summer program.