Welcome Back & Happy New Year!

As we return to the rink, this is a great moment to reflect on everything we accomplished together during the first half of the season. From player development and team growth to the friendships formed in locker rooms and lobbies, it’s been exciting to watch our athletes grow both on and off the ice. None of this happens without the dedication of our coaches, the commitment of our players, and the incredible support of our families.

With the New Year comes fresh energy, new goals, and even more opportunities ahead. The second half of the season brings continued development, competitive play, and more chances to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork. We’re looking forward to seeing our teams continue to push themselves, support one another, and represent our organization with pride.

Thank you for everything you do to make this community special. Let’s carry the momentum forward and make the rest of the season even better.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and successful New Year. We’ll see you at the rink!

Warm regards,

Brad

Our community is stronger because of the people who are in it. Read on to learn more about those who make it so special.

The Spiker Family

Both Evan and his Dad (Jeff) recently completed their first solo flight in flight school! Learn about what inspired them to do so and the advice Evan gives younger Gens to reach their dreams. Can you guess which actors would play them in a movie if they could choose? Or where and when they'd travel to if given a time machine?

Get to know your fellow Gens better by reading the full interview attached below.

• 2/5 Senior night
• 2/22 Cubra/Jennings nominations DUE to Carla Smith
• 2/27 Player Award recipient names DUE from coaches to Summer Dougherty
• 3/6-3/8 Newark Invitational for 8U & 10U House teams
• 3/13-3/15 Newark Invitational for 12U & 14U Travel B teams
• 3/21 Year-end event & 30th celebration at Venue 901 in Newark from 5-7pm

We will announce when registration goes live for the following:

• PRE-TRYOUT CAMPS for High school and Travel AA, A/A2:
• 4/21, 5:30-6:30pm: High School
• 4/22, 5:20-6:20pm: 10U & 12U
• 4/22, 6:30-7:30pm: 14U
• 4/23, 5:30-6:30pm: High School
• 4/24, 5:20-6:30: 10U & 12U
• 4/24, 6:30-7:30pm: 14U

• TRYOUTS for High school and Travel AA, A/A2:
• 4/25, 10-11:30am High School
• 4/25, 12:45-1:45pm 10U
• 4/26, 10-11:30am High School
• 4/26, 12:45-1:45pm 12U
• 4/26, 3:30-4:30pm 14U
• 4/29, 5:30-6:30pm 10U
• 4/29, 6:40-7:40pm 12U
• 4/29, 7:50-8:50pm 14U

• Lady Generals Tryouts
• 5/3, 3:30-4:30pm

Interested in apparel, helmet decals, or other Gens products & gifts? Click one of the buttons below to view your selections and make a purchase.

Check back for order deadlines and delivery dates for the 26-'27 season.

• Jersey order #1:
• Jersey order #2:
• Jersey order #3/FINAL:

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.

Please contact any Board member to learn more and get involved!

If you see someone wearing this pin, ask them what it means and learn how you can get one!

Sign up for Kroger Community Rewards and link your Kroger Plus Card to the Newark Ice Hockey Association. A percentage of your spending will go directly back to the Generals—helping our players and programs grow.

✅ No extra cost to you

✅ Doesn’t affect your Kroger fuel points or rewards

✅ Just shop like you normally do!

👉 Register today at www.kroger.com/communityrewards and search for Newark Ice Hockey Association.

Every swipe makes a difference. Thank you for supporting the Generals!

NIHA has proudly teamed up with R. Riveter, a handbag company with a mission; their signature bags are assembled by military spouses across the U.S.A. The owner of the brand is local to Granville and -a parent of a Newark General!

R. Riveter will be offering 15% off your purchase as well as a 15% donation to NIHA with each purchase when you use the code NEWARK_HOCKEY

Shop with a purpose, double the impact!

Strength Through Community.

Go Generals!

A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.

-John Wooden

UCLA Basketball Coach

Are you interested in making a positive impact in kid's lives while having fun with other volunteers? Become a coach for NIHA!

Don't worry if you've never coached before; there is a first time for everything! We'll provide the right guidance and support to succeed.

Great coaching for young athletes isn't just about wins, skills, or game plans. It's also about relationships, trust, encouragement, and helping shape players into good citizens.

Click below to learn more or let us know if you're interested in coaching for the 26-'27 season.

The following awards will be presented to three players per team during the main ceremony at the 30^th Anniversary / Season-end Event on 3/21/26.

• Iron Standard Award
• Unit First Award
• Forged in Fire Award

Coaches from each team will select their recipients (due to Summer Dougherty by 2/27).

NIHA Hockey Director, Jeff Laird, will announce the winners. Each recipient will receive a commemorative challenge coin at the event.

Click below to learn more about each award!

2025-2026 marks the 30th anniversary of NIHA and Generals Hockey, so what better time could there be to bring back the annual banquet to reflect on our past season as well as honor players, coaches, volunteers, and alumni?

Tickets are on sale through March 6, 2026. Click below to register for the event of the season!

Event Details

Date: Saturday, 3/21 from 5-7 pm

Location: Venue 901, Newark, Ohio

Current players, coaches, and team managers are free (coach/player name and team affiliation must be entered at checkout). Alcohol will not be available to purchase at the event- drink tickets must be purchased in advance. Each ticket includes a heavy appetizer dinner and swag bag. We will have a break-out for team awards, a DJ, photo booth, and some other fun surprises! 

The 30th Anniversary Celebration & Year-end event will serve as:

• A season wrap-up recognizing the dedication and achievements of our players, coaches, and volunteers.
• A celebration of 30 years of youth hockey in our community.
• An opportunity to strengthen community ties through alumni engagement, sponsorship recognition, and family participation.

We all know someone awesome! Take a moment to nominate someone you think would be a worthy recipient of the

Chuck Cubra Volunteer Award, or the Don Jennings Coaching Excellence Award.

Please submit any nomination in writing to Carla Smith

waverunner1402@gmail.com by 2/22/26, explaining why you are nominating this individual. Current Board members are not eligible.

It's a new era for high school hockey. The Ohio Scholastic Hockey League (OSHL) has removed boundaries. This means players from any school district can try out to become a General!

Newark Generals High School teams will play in the OSHL, and we will field one JV and one Varsity team. We will evaluate the need for a lower-level high school team if the numbers make sense.

Travel will play in either the BTHL or MCHL, and we will field AA, A/A2 and B (House) travel teams at 10U, 12U, and 14U as long as the numbers support this. Any players who tryout for Travel AA or A/A2 but are selected for travel B will be credited back their tryout fees.

Click below to learn more about tryouts.

We will announce when registration goes live for the following:

• PRE-TRYOUT CAMPS for High school and Travel AA, A/A2 will run from 4/21- 4/24
• TRYOUTS for High school and Travel AA, A/A2 will run 4/25-4/29,
• Lady Generals Tryouts will be held on 5/3

Registration for the Winter '26 session is now live! The Lou offers a six-week beginner adult hockey program. All adults who've ever had any interest in hockey are encouraged to sign up. Let’s grow the sport of hockey right here in Licking County. Besides, your kids might think you're cool if you try it! Sign-up today!

The NAHL celebrates 20 years strong at the Lou & Gib Reese Ice Arena!

We are a beginner-friendly, small, non-checking, recreational hockey league for women of all skill levels (18 years and older). Whether you are new to hockey or a seasoned vet, we would love to have you join us on the ice!

Note: The NIHA women’s league has games just before the adult skills session on Sunday nights. Ladies, join both! We hope to see some moms out there!

National Hockey Moms Day Celebration

Event to be rescheduled

Event date: TBD

4:30 pm –5:30 pm: Wellness Presentation with refreshments, door prizes, and time to connect with other hockey moms

5:30 pm – 6:20 pm: Shed time to grab gear for MTHFF

6:20 pm –7:10 pm: Mom's Try Hockey For FREE (no skating skills needed!)

7:20 pm: Stay for Women’s League 

Help us grow our image library by sending us a favorite photo or video clip to feature on our website and social media. We want to see players, families, and volunteers from all across NIHA, top to bottom, representing what it means to be a General on or off the ice.

Please send images as .jpg files and video as MP4. Bonus if you share a quote on what it means to be a General! Send to Nandi O'Dell at odellnandi@gmail.com or text to 614-563-3579

Calling all hockey card enthusiasts! Shows coming up!

Ken Cappell, one of our sponsors for the Newark Invitational, will be selling hockey cards along with many other collectors who have Baseball, Football, Basketball, Pokémon and OSU collectors cards.

Ken has been a hockey fan since he was 10. He loves volunteering for the Newark Adult League and has been a devoted card collector since the age of 7. He is also a huge Blue Jackets fan!