Valpo area businesses support thriving downtown ice hockey league
VALPARAISO, Ind. — The Central Park Plaza Hockey League (CPPHL), managed by Valpo Parks, is a recreational adult 4 on 4 hockey league with games on Monday and Tuesday evenings from January to March. Started in 2017 shortly after the construction of the Central Park Plaza outdoor rink, the CPPHL was a welcome opportunity for local players looking to play closer to home (at the time, the nearest hockey rinks were an hour west or east of Porter county). Founding director Keith Perez brought local businesses and restaurants on board to sponsor and design team jerseys.
Starting with 8 teams its initial year, excitement spread through the community about this new opportunity to play hockey outdoors on a beautiful downtown rink. The following year, after filling the original 8 teams in less than an hour, the league expanded to 12 teams and continues to fill within a few days after registration opens each year. With multiple divisions, the CPPHL can accommodate both new and seasoned players. Additionally, many players get involved as coaches for the Valpo Parks Youth Hockey program.
Everyone interviewed stressed the connection with the local sponsors. According to Perez, “my favorite thing is reaching out to the local sponsors and helping them design their custom jerseys. The process is fun seeing how they turn out and seeing the excitement from the sponsors and players.” He notes that sponsors have even developed into hockey players, sharing the example of Richard Marrell of Marrell’s Gift Shop in Kouts, a league sponsor. Brand new to the game when the league started in 2017, he has since played weekly every season, vastly improved his game and grown “rock hard” legs from the exercise it gives him!
Downtown Valpo’s Franklin House is another team sponsor. The Franklin House team has been playing together in the CPPHL for multiple years; most members knew each other from prior hockey affiliations and all share a love of the sport. They recently learned that their team is being bumped up to A league this season, which they expect to be faster and younger. Franklin House team member Brock Harris shares, “Our average team age is probably about 50 and I would imagine the A league’s average is maybe 30ish. Playing respectably in that league will be our goal [this season].” We wish all teams and their sponsors the best of luck this season!
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