Frequently asked questions
These are the questions new and returning players ask us most. If yours isn’t here, ask us.
Joining
Who is eligible to play?
We accept players aged 16 and up: military members from all branches, DoD civilians, DoD contractors, NATO personnel, local nationals and anyone else in the community. You don't need a military affiliation to join. Who can play.
Are there tryouts?
No. We place players by season availability, skill level and paid status. Family and military obligations come before regular attendance. How teams are placed.
What skill level is needed?
We welcome novice to experienced players. You need to be able to skate forward and stop reasonably well, because we don't have the resources to teach complete beginners to skate.
How do new players get started?
Send us the interest form, and a coach will reply and invite you to a practice. Our Getting started guide covers gear and what your first practice looks like. Getting started.
Season and league
When does the season start?
The ice season starts in late September and runs into April. Every practice and game is on the schedule. Schedule.
Do you play in a German league?
Yes. Our teams compete in the Die Players Liga (DPL), a German hobby league with divisions for ice hockey and inline hockey, and we also play friendly games and tournaments. Teams.
When and where are practices?
Practice days and times can change during the season. The schedule always has the current ones, and you can subscribe to it from your phone. Schedule.
Where are home games?
At our home rink. You'll find the address, a map and directions on its rink page. Rinks.
Dues and costs
What does it cost?
We set the season fees each year. You'll find this season's fees on the Join page. Season fees.
What is included?
All practices and league games, including the player's fee for the DPL, plus vendor discounts.
When are fees due?
You pay the fees in parts. This season's due dates are listed with the fees. Fees and due dates.
How do you pay?
By bank transfer or in cash. For the bank details, ask our club president by email or through the contact form. Contact form.
Gear and jerseys
Where can you buy equipment locally?
Online retailers ship to Germany, and Top-On-Ice in Mannheim is an excellent German vendor that gives DPL members a discount. The gear list says what you need. Gear list.
Do you need to buy your own jersey?
Yes. Every player buys a set of home and away jerseys and socks. You'll find prices and how to order on the Uniforms page. Uniforms.
What if you can't afford jerseys right away?
We have extra jerseys for players who come in late or can't buy their own set. We ask for a deposit.
Attendance and schedule
How do you confirm attendance?
Say In or Out on this website for every practice and game, whether you're coming or not, so your coaches know the exact count on the ice. One of our admins adds your email address and invites you on WhatsApp. Then you log in with a passkey, a code sent to your email, or Google or GitHub, and the site keeps you logged in. You'll find your events under Your events in the menu. How attendance works.
How do you get into the WhatsApp group?
Ask a coach at your first practice. Each team has its own group for team news. The groups are by invitation, so we don't publish a link on the site. How attendance works.
How do you keep the schedule on your phone?
Subscribe to the calendar from the schedule page or a team page. It works with Apple, Google and Outlook calendars and updates itself when events change or are canceled. Subscribe to the calendar.
Player profiles
What does your profile show?
Your name, jersey number, position, shooting side, hometown, country represented, the date you joined and an optional photo, plus your seasons with the club. The site doesn't store your email address, phone number, rank or unit. Privacy.
Can your profile be changed or hidden?
Yes. Send us a roster update, and one of our volunteers will correct or hide your profile. We keep your roster history for the club's records. Roster update form.