Community Hub
President's Blog
Believe it or not, the 2025-2026 hockey season is here!
I’m Brad Cook, the newly appointed Newark Ice Hockey Association (NIHA) President. I have two boys in the NIHA program, and I am an 11-year resident of Granville. I coached for NIHA before joining the board, and I am also a proud (maybe too proud) Miami University graduate and Navy veteran.
When asked to sum up my goals for NIHA for the next two years, it boils down to one phrase: "Strength Through Community", because what sets us apart is all of you. The Newark Generals aren’t just teammates, we are neighbors & school friends. We support one another's businesses and causes. I've had the privilege of watching this organization come together and support one another's families through the toughest times. This is a community where we can watch our children grow, not only in hockey, but as individuals surrounded by support from all participants.
If you see me around the rink, please stop and chat. I am looking forward to an incredible year of hockey, and none of it would be possible without all of you.
Be sure to check back monthly for community updates. Go Gens!
Important dates and events
- 8/3 NIHA Golf Outing (moved)
- 8/4 Dryland Training begins
- 8/16 Opening Day Celebration
- 8/19 NIHA Board meeting
- 8/23 MCHL Seeding tournament
- 9/10 Deadline for 12U & 14U House registration
- 9/13-14 BTHL Seeding tournament
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
2025-2026 marks the 30th anniversary of NIHA and Generals Hockey! There will be much to celebrate throughout the season as we plan and host events with current members and alumni (players, coaches, and volunteers).
Saturday, 8/16, is Opening Day! Join the fun outside with a dunk tank, snow cones, a Gens selfie-station, a Gear Sale from the shed, a raffle, and so much more! Inside The Lou, visit the T-shirt vendor or sign up with Kain's Photography to capture high-quality action shots of your player this season!
Opening Day schedule:
- 1-1:50 Try Hockey For Free
- 2-3:15 Open Skate
- 3:30--4:20 Awards and Coach's game
NEWS FROM THE BOARD
- Budgets are being finalized for travel teams
- Tournament and league fees will be collected via Crossbar this year
- Team-specific budget information will be disseminated via Crossbar the week of 7/27
- Registration cut-off date for the 12U & 14U House divisions is 9/10, as the official USA hockey team rosters are due to the BTHL league by 9/13
- Registration is ongoing for our 10U House division participating in the CBJHL
- We want to hear from our members: What does being a General mean to you? Stay tuned for our "culture survey"
VOLUNTEER INFO
Help strengthen our community and become a volunteer! Our non-profit organization relies on volunteers to run our programs and to help keep costs down.
NIHA is currently in need of volunteers for the following:
- Team Managers - House Program
- Videographer
- Events Coordinator
- Volunteer Coordinator
Please contact any Board member to learn more and get involved!
FUNDRAISING
- Gens players and parents, past and present, recently enjoyed an evening at The Lot in Granville. The Lot generously donated more than $500 from the night's earnings. NIHA will continue to host monthly meet-ups at other businesses in East Central Licking locations. If you have any recommendations for events or venue locations, please contact fundraising@newarkhockey.com
- Stay tuned for a PROMO CODE that you can use when subscribing or making one-time buys through Bella's Beans, a local coffee roaster. A portion of the cost will be donated to NIHA
- If you or a business you know would be interested in donating a gift basket for our Opening Day raffle on August 16th, please contact fundraising@newarkhockey.com
COACH'S CORNER
Check back here for updates from our Hockey Director and the Coaching Committee.
- Fundamentals will be back on Thursday nights once regular-season practices start
- Stay tuned for information on Dryland training
GENS IN THE KNOW
NOMINATE FOR THE CUBRA/JENNINGS AWARDS by Monday, August 11th!
With the '25-'26 hockey season upon us, we would like to recognize two distinct awards within our NIHA community that are selected and presented annually.
Chuck Cubra Volunteer Award
Chuck Cubra was instrumental in the development of an ice hockey program here in Newark. He was involved in the original clinic hosted at the rink, the progression to organized play among teams, and served as a referee. As the program grew, the Newark Ice Hockey Association (NIHA) was formed, and Chuck played an active role in this development, serving on the original board. His contributions and commitment to the success of Newark’s hockey program are why the volunteer award was created in his honor.
Originating in 1997, and awarded each year to honor the VOLUNTEER within our organization who exemplifies the spirit and passion that make youth hockey in Newark and surrounding counties possible.
Don Jennings Coaching Excellence Award
Coach Jennings was the original recipient of this award, and it is given annually to a coach who has exemplified stewardship, integrity, and leadership, both on and off the ice. A coach who has positively impacted the players, is a representation of the values of NIHA and is a positive role model for the youth of our program.
Both of these awards are displayed at the rink. Please take a moment to review the names on these plaques to better understand the magnitude of these awards.
Nominations
If you would like to make a nomination for either the Cubra volunteer award or Jennings coaching excellence award, please make a written submission about why you are nominating this individual or coach to Carla Smith (waverunner1402@gmail.com) by Monday, August 11th.
All nominations will be reviewed by the board, and recipients will be announced on Saturday, 8/16, during the Opening Day celebration.
Thank you for taking the time to recognize those in our organization who go above and beyond to make it a great place for youth hockey.
Strength Through Community!
GO GENS!