Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I have to be in order to play?

You must be 18 years of age in order to play in our league.

Do I have to know how to skate or play hockey in order to play in the league?

Nope! Many of our skaters started in DWHL without prior experience. Our Hockey 101s are often the first time that members put on hockey gear and lace up hockey skates! Even if you can't make it to a Hockey 101, our Novice division is tailored for members that have never played hockey before. We have coaches for our Novice teams to help you learn the game, too!

What is DWHL's stance on Transgender and Non-Binary athletes?

DWHL is an inclusive women’s hockey league that welcomes all women, including transgender women as well as non-binary individuals.

We recognize and value the rich diversity of gender identity within our community. While DWHL is not a coed league, our goal is to foster a respectful and supportive environment for players who identify with and feel at home in a women-centered space.

Player participation is reserved for those whose identities align with our mission of maintaining a women-focused playing experience. However, we warmly welcome individuals of all gender identities in non-playing roles such as coaching, officiating, scorekeeping, and volunteering.

If you're unsure whether DWHL is the right fit for you, we encourage you to reach out. We're always open to thoughtful, respectful conversations.

When and where do you play?

We currently play at Apex in Arvada and Sports Stable in Superior. The exact days and times of games varies from season to season, but most recently we have had games start anytime between 7:30 PM -10:45 PM. We have been playing at Sports Stable on Sundays and Tuesdays, and we have been playing at Apex on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We do our best to evenly spread all the divisions out across our ice slots throughout the season.

How many seasons are there?

We host three seasons a year, Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer. Each season lasts around 12-15 weeks depending on the number of teams. Our advanced and intermediate divisions have 10 games each; and or novice division has 8 games and 2 practices. At the end of the regular season games there is a single elimination playoff.

How do I join a team?

At the beginning of each season players register and provide their skill level and experience. The DWHL board then decides which division each player belongs in and drafts teams of 10-13 skaters and a goalie for each team. The exact level of play of each division does vary slightly from season to season depending on how registers.

Do I need to have a current USA Hockey Membership to play?

Yes, DWHL requires registered players, coaches, and refs to have a current USA Hockey Membership before stepping foot on the ice. You have to renew your membership annually. To register for a USA Hockey Membership please visit, the USA Hockey Website.

Do I need to have my own gear?

Owning your own gear is not a requirement to play in DWHL. We have gear that we allow members to borrow for the season. We do ask that you purchase your own helmet and return the gear at the end of the season. If you find that you love hockey, as we are sure you will, and want to continue playing we can allow members to borrow gear for an additional season while they work on purchasing their own.

Why are ice times so late?

We are competing for ice with youth leagues, other adult leagues, figure skating clubs and public skates. From September into March, youth hockey is in full swing and takes all the ice slots available until 9pm or later. This means that we have to play later. Many adult leagues have experienced a growth spurt, just like us, so slots continue to become more and more limited.

The DWHL Board does their best to balance days of the week and start times for all teams throughout the season. However, an exact split of “early” ice times games on the different days of the week is not guaranteed. There are many factors that go into building out the season schedule. Please keep the ice times in mind when registering as DWHL has a NO REFUND policy.