ABOUT SHIHA

The Somerset Hills Ice Hockey Association (SHIHA), an IRS code 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization since 1998, has supported ice hockey at Bernards High School since then. In 2011, Bernards and Somerville High Schools created a Scholastic Co-Op to share talents and costs while developing a strong hockey program at both the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels. In the inaugural 2011-2012 Season the Bernards-Somerville team finished second in our conference and qualified for the state tournament. In 2017, SHIHA entered into a Tri-Op program and now includes students from the Middlesex school district. This new addition  positively impacts our program by both sharing costs and developing a solid foundation in which to build.  The team won their Charette Division Championship in 2021 and 2022.

Substantial school budget cuts have negatively impacted all three school district’s sports programs over the past several years. The Varsity & JV Ice Hockey teams receive minimal funding from the schools to off-set the cost for coaches, game and practice ice time, as well as busing for practices and games. Prior to this Tri-Op, Somerville and Middlesex had no hockey program for students wishing to continue playing at the high school level after years of hard work and dedication to a sport they love.   

The SHIHA is also committed to developing middle school-age youth residing in Bedminster, Bernardsville, Branchburg, Far Hills, Green Brook, Metuchen, Middlesex, Peapack-Gladstone, and Somerville. The Middle School team has participated in the BSA Middle School League for many years and serves as a feeder team to the High School program.

Hockey is a sport that teaches the values of hard work, teamwork and endurance – all lessons that are important in life. Our goal is to keep the game affordable for all participants so that no player will be excluded due to expense.

SHIHA is reaching out to our communities for support. The association is tasked with raising nearly $55,000 to cover the cost of ice time for practices and games for the three teams in the program.  Without ice we have no playing field! 

Please consider supporting our annual Ad Journal or making a tax deductible donation to the Somerset Hills Ice Hockey Association (SHIHA).

In the spirit of hockey,

 SHIHA Bernards-Somerville-Middlesex Ice Hockey