NISHL Launch Announcement
PRESS RELEASE
JUNE 19, 2024 – Co-founders Jannelle and Michael Cioffi and Dennis Franczak today announced the launch of the Northeast Intercounty Scholastic Hockey League (NISHL), a groundbreaking initiative specifically for women hockey players in grades 9 through 12 whose schools do not have a hockey team.
The driving force behind the NISHL’s founding is the Cioffi’s teenage daughter, Delilah, who brought attention to the lack of opportunities for her friends to play high school hockey. Delilah, 16, noted that these girls were being deprived of the rewarding experience of playing their sport on the high school level with their peers. Her idea to fill that gap inspired the concept for the NISHL.
“As passionate owners of a youth hockey program and parents of both boys and girls high school hockey players, we recognize the significant impact and importance of playing hockey for one’s school and with friends,” Jannelle Cioffi said. “Our vision is to provide these opportunities to more young athletes across New England, fostering a sense of community, teamwork, and school spirit.”
The NISHL hopes to revolutionize women's high school hockey in the region, offering a platform for young female athletes to showcase their talent and passion for the game, the Cioffis said. Enrollment in the league is now open, welcoming female hockey players from New England whose high schools lack a team. The league’s inaugural season will focus on forming girls' varsity hockey teams, with an eye toward including junior varsity squads in the 2025-2026 school year.
The puck will drop for the NISHL’s first season the Monday after Thanksgiving, aligning with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s winter sports calendar. Teams will be formed based on players' high schools and geography; players from different schools within the same county will be combined on countywide teams to ensure balanced and competitive play, while at the same time allowing players to represent their home regions proudly.
"Once I learned that many schools don’t offer girls' hockey programs, the decision to start this league was simple” said co-founder and league Commissioner Michael Cioffi. “In cases where schools have a boys’ program, they often allow girls to participate, but these players frequently face inadequate conditions, such as having to change in a janitor's closet, a bathroom, or even out in the open.”
Michael Cioffi also noted the potential dangers posed by physical differences in boys and girls high school-age players and their style of play.
“Boys’ hockey allows checking, but girls’ hockey does not. A friend of ours has a daughter in this exact situation, and she often faces the daunting prospect of playing against a 6-foot, 18-year-old boy who is 11 inches taller and 100 pounds heavier. Can you imagine seeing your daughter on the ice with such a disparity, especially with the added physicality of boys' hockey?
“We want to create a safe environment for girls to play hockey, providing more opportunities for young female athletes. The league aims to elevate the level of women's high school hockey while promoting a culture of respect and equality."
The NISHL, Michael Cioffi said, will support athletes both on and off the ice. The league’s goals reflect the Cioffis’ belief in the power of sports to shape character and build lifelong bonds. “I look forward to collaborating with community stakeholders to ensure a successful season for everyone,” he said. “Our vision is to open doors, inspire dreams, and unite communities through and for the love of hockey."
"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with the launch of NISHL," said Bright Matter Sports CEO and league Co-Founder, Dennis Franczak added. "We have seen tremendous growth and interest in girls' hockey in recent years, and NISHL will serve as a platform to harness that potential and showcase the incredible talent in our region. We invite all young female hockey players to join us as we embark on this exciting new chapter."
With anticipation building among league organizers and future players, the NISHL will announce further details as the date for its inaugural puck drop gets closer. For more information, or to enroll as a player, or to apply as a coach, please visit the league’s website at https://www.nishl.com/. Visitors interested in becoming part of the league are asked to fill out the questionnaire on the home page.