FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to know how to ice skate to join the team?

A. Our team is filled with all levels of skaters. Some have come to practice just barely knowing how to skate and by the end of the practice can skate around the entire rink. It's amazing what the protective gear can do for your confidence. If you do not know how to skate very well, the coaches teach all the basics (stopping, turning, falling, getting up). It's preferable if you have at least been on skates (whether ice skates or roller blades) so you are familiar with standing up in them.

Q: Do you play the rough hockey that is seen on TV?

A: Women's hockey is non-contact hockey. We may run into each other trying to stop sometimes but there is no body checking in our division. Most of the women we play against have jobs to go back to after the weekend just like we do so they're just out to have fun. Also, if you are worried that you are too old to start another sport, you're never too old. At least half of our players are over 35 years of age.

Q: Where do I get my equipment?

A: The Banshees have gear that can be borrowed if you just want to try it out for the first time. The team gear is not for borrowing for long lengths of time because we need it for others who want to try it out. This option is more for someone who either knows she'll want to play and knows she wants to buy gear right away but wants to try it out first to make sure, or it is for someone who wants to try it for a practice in order to see if she might like it.

Locally, the Sports Outlet, near Home Depot in Wenatchee, sells both new and used hockey gear. There are also lots of places to order it from the Internet. There is almost always someone willing to help you find the right gear, so please feel free to ask someone for help!

Q: What are my obligations to the team?

A: One great thing about our team is there are no obligations. Our players show up as much as their schedules allow. Everyone has her own priorities and hockey may not be one of them. Some of our players show up just for a good workout and socializing. Others attend nearly every practice and travel to many tournaments because they have the time and love hockey. Our team is accomodating to both kinds of lifestyles.

Q: How much does it cost to play?

A: Aside from the cost of the equipment the only expenses are for your ice time, your yearly USA Hockey memership and a yearly $5 Banshees membership dues. You can pay per practice ("Drop in") or you can pay in a lump sum in advance. All fees are due BEFORE skating on the ice.

The fees for the 2009-2010 season are as follows:

Weekly practices - $130, includes Wenatchee Banshees yearly membership dues

Goalie only - $60, includes $5 Wenatchee Banshees yearly membership dues

Drop in - $15 per practice

Q: Can men play?

A: Men are allowed to practice with the Banshees during Friday mornings at the discretion of the board. The rate for men is $15 per practice.

Q: When are the practice times?

A: There are weekly practices on most Sunday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, and Friday mornings, 6:00 - 7:00 am, from October to March (please see schedule page for exact dates and times).

Sunday practices will be divided by skill level participation as follows:

First hour: Novice only skills practice
Second hour: Intermediate only skills practice

Please use the following guidelines in determining which skills practice most suits you:

Novice: Has played for 3 seasons or less; may or may not understand rules and positions; new to ice skating; can perhaps skate backwards; may have difficulty shooting, stopping or skating crossovers.

Intermediate: Has played for 3 or more seasons; can skate fairly well with puck control and speed; can do crossovers and stops in all directions; understands the game, but not all the subtleties; can shoot and pass on to target.

Please attend EITHER the Novice OR Intemediate skills practice, but not both Sunday skills practice sessions on the same day unless a drop in fee is paid for the second practice.

The Sunday practices on the second Sunday of each month will be an all team practice game scrimmage.

Friday morning practices will be geared to all skill levels.

Aside from the practices, there may be a women's scrimmage approximately one evening per month depending on interest, as well as occational hockey clinics. There is also the Wenatchee Women's Hockey League if you wish to get in more game time. For more information about the Women's League, please visit the web site for Wenatchee Women's Hockey League .

Q: When and Where are the games?

A: We do not have a set schedule of tournaments for the season. The tournaments or games that we end up playing in depend on the interest of our team. We neeed at least 10 players interested in going to a particular tournament in order to make up a team. Our games start in November and end in April. We attended around 5 tournaments last season. We usually have 2 home tournaments and, for away tournaments, we typically travel no more than about 4 hours away from Wenatchee. (i.e. Tri Citites, Yakima, Spokane, British Columbia and Seattle) and carpool and share hotel rooms when needed. See the Schedule page for possible tournaments for 2009-2010 and Tournament FAQ's for more details.

Wenatchee Banshees Hockey

Recreational Hockey Team for Women