Hockey continues to grow in Arizona, and the new Draft League starting up in Mesa at the Coyotes Community Ice Center is another sign of that growth out west.

The founder of the league, James Maragh, said the idea “really came from roller hockey and a lot of the stuff people will see in the draft league spawns from roller.”

“While I started and took the first step, the draft league wouldn’t be possible without the help of Dustin Jans, another big roller guy,” said Maragh. “Also Eddie Hill with the Mesa rink, he really liked the idea of the league and has helped out tremendously with ice times and making sure this league finds success with its inaugural season targeting the 14U age group. We hope to duplicate it over more age groups in the coming spring and summer seasons.”

The league itself will be 4-on-4 full-ice play, “more roller-esque,” said Maragh. The league will be holding an evaluation skate Feb. 4 at the Coyotes Community Ice Center at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The live player draft will occur the beginning of March, with a start date of the league planned for the beginning of April.

“We want the level of hockey to be the highest possible, so we will want the best players possible to show up and join the league,” Maragh said. “We are hoping this creates very competitive and fun games every week leading up to the championships. We are limiting spaces in the league by capping it to four teams and inviting only travel players.

“We’ve put a lot of time into scheduling and securing ice that works around all the clubs’ skill sessions during the ice season. What was priority to us was ensuring our players get to play and have fun while not intruding with their club ice stuff. This league is catering towards players that grind all season. We want a cheaper solution than playing a summer spring team and having to leave the state to compete at high levels, and we feel we can do that here locally, if done right.”

For more information, visit www.draft-league.com or email icedraftleague@gmail.com.

— Matt Mackinder

(January 16, 2024)