Fargo-Moorhead Adult Hockey

A CLUB FOR EVERYONE

WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

When it comes to hockey in the Fargo-Moorhead area, there are a few different options. Still, nothing can compare to the Fargo-Moorhead Adult Hockey Club (FMAHC).

Founder and player, Skyler Severns, moved to Fargo from Seattle, Washington and wasn't sure what he would find when he arrived here. Having no previous skating experience before his move, where he needed to start looking was a challenge. Of course, there are bar leagues and the Fargo Parks district leagues, but he was looking for something more, something different, so he created it.

The FMAHC more closely resembles a minor league team with all skill levels instead of a bar league. "We try not to call it a bar league, largely because we don't let bars advertise on an individual team," said Severns. However, "we do allow bars to advertise for the whole league."

What is unique about this club is they run three drop-ins, which are not officiated games, per week year-round. Additionally, they have development sessions for new players and this is all open to the public. "We have some players who have played in the junior leagues and then some players, like me, who haven't played very much hockey at all," stated Severns.

In addition to drop-ins, the perks of this league include personalized team jerseys, playing cards with your picture and stats on them, pre and post-season gatherings, and the ability to hit the ice during any reserved practice times at the Scheels Arena – where the games take place.

All games, including playoff and championship games, are streamed online via Facebook live, Vimeo, and YouTube. This isn't your average run-of-the-mill, fish-eyed lens camera; FMAHC really got into production with live commentary, a score bug, and onair advertising.

For this club, there are six teams, 10 skaters per team, and one goalie. Each team plays 15 games, and if you advance, there are also playoffs and a championship game. The season goes from January to April, and you must be 18 years old to join the drop-in games and development sessions, but at least 21 to be in the league.

When the roster fills up, or you are not sure you can commit to an entire season, you can also jump on the substitutions and waitlist. "If we get enough active players on the reserve list, then we will open up the reserve line and have 15 skaters and one goalie per team," mentioned Severns.

Another bonus of this league is that it is co-ed. It is exciting to see a club strictly for adults and not just for men or women. "There isn't a lot of opportunities for women to play hockey once they get out of college," said Severns. "We have been trying to reach more of the women in the community, and with this club, we have the ability to."

WE HAVE SOME PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUES AND THEN

SOME PLAYERS, LIKE ME, WHO HAVEN'T

PLAYED VERY MUCH HOCKEY AT ALL." – SKYLER SEVERNS

Severns' passion for this club goes much farther than playing the game and having good production value for viewing the games. The sense of community he has created within this club is incredible. "We had a few visitors from Switzerland join our drop-in and skated with us three times a week for the three months they were visiting family in town. A father and son playing hockey together when they normally wouldn't get to," said Severns.

As I mentioned earlier, Severns hails from the west coast, and he brought a little of his home life to the club. You might notice the team names are not ones commonly used in this part of the country, with names like Mountaineers, Sea Kraits, and Albatross, to name a few. These small touches and the

ambition to create a club that makes you feel more a part of the community prove Severns is unique and driven.

I have watched a few of the previously streamed games on Facebook, and it was fun and exciting to watch. Watching sporting events when they can really have fun and get the crowd invested is always a treat. Not only does it make the environment in the arena more fun, but it also makes viewing it from home that much more enjoyable. "It's fun to sit back and think; I get to be involved in a league that has hats thrown on the rink when there is a hat trick," exclaimed Severns.

The FMAHC is an excellent example of what you can do within your community. Being passionate about something doesn't have an expiration date, and it is never too late to make it happen. This club is a beautiful addition to the Fargo-Moorhead area, and I can't wait to catch a couple of games when the season starts up in a couple of months.

Finally, I asked Severns what the good life means to him. "To me, the good life is having an opportunity to play hockey with friends and family. The good life is being able to be a part of a franchise and experience hockey as we observe it in the stands or on television, and to meet my exercise and health goals without the mundane life of a gym membership." •