Main goal is to fuel hockey spirit

Josh Leddy counted himself among the lucky ones, a kid who got to experience life among the elite in youth hockey. Throughout his years on Twin Cities rinks, he grew accustomed to hearing his name announced over loudspeakers and seeing it on the lists of statistical leaders.

The former Armstrong High School captain made it as far as the Canadian junior leagues before a knee injury ended his quest to play college hockey. When Leddy reflected on what he would miss most, he kept coming back to the simplest thing of all: the fun and friendships of participating in a team sport. And he couldn't help but think of the kids who, for dozens of different reasons, lost out on that opportunity.

As young as he was, Leddy recognized a calling when he heard one. Sunday, the president of the XL Hockey League showed up early at Ridder Arena for his weekly immersion in the pure spirit of the game. In its fifth season, the league provides high school kids a no-check, no-pressure way to stay in the sport -- or even to try it for the first time.

Some of the players on the XL Hockey League's eight teams were cut from their high school rosters. Some have had concussions or other serious injuries but want to keep playing in a less-risky environment. Some are varsity athletes in other sports, or committed to such activities as drama or music, and don't have the time for a full schedule of hockey. Some are home-schooled. The XL League gives all of them the opportunity to play one game a week with their friends at Ridder or Mariucci Arena, with fun the only objective.

"The entire goal is to keep kids playing sports," said Leddy, 25. "It gives them so much: friendships, social development, learning teamwork, being healthy.

"It's all about coming here and just having a good time with your buddies. We want everyone to leave with a smile on their face."

As a member of a hockey family that includes nephew Nick Leddy, a freshman forward for the Gophers, Josh Leddy values the sport's strong sense of community. He was drawn to the concept of the XL Hockey League, founded by Greg Anzelc and former Gophers and North Stars defenseman Dave Jensen.

The league now has two divisions: the gold, primarily for kids cut from high school varsity teams, and the silver, which welcomes even those who have never played organized hockey. The 18-game season begins a week after the high school season starts. Teams play on Sundays only, with no practices, though Leddy holds free training sessions for kids who want extra instruction. The $485 season cost is waived for those who can't afford it, and a group of professional players donates equipment for kids who need it.

A preseason scrimmage sorts players by ability so teams can be made as evenly competitive as possible. Rosters are capped at 15 players and rotated throughout the game, with no-check rules that mirror those used in adult rec leagues.

Leddy, who studied sports management at the U, joined the league as an on-ice official and now runs it with the help of a small volunteer pool. It's a full-time winter job without the full-time pay. He lives with his parents and runs a shoreline cleaning service in the summer to pay his bills, but he's so devoted to the league that he hopes to expand it.

"We're starting a summer program this year for high-school players, so they can play in the offseason and not worry about getting hurt," Leddy said. "Some of our former players are asking for a college division. And I've gotten calls from Boston, Detroit and Denver. I think this brand of hockey could work throughout the country, because we know how to help kids have fun."

Which is exactly what they need. Studies show that 70 percent of young athletes will quit organized sports by the time they turn 13, mainly because games feel more like work than play. Just as many studies link sports participation with improved physical and mental health, academic achievement and quality of life.

"I had a kid tell me the other day that he's played hockey for 16 years, and he's never had so much fun," he said. "We're all just a bunch of rink rats."