Summer hockey league nets big turnout

The standardized tests that students took in the spring were high-pressure for all parties involved. But now that the tests are well behind them, this week children took part in another pretty high-pressure event: Prime Time Hockey playoffs.

Once the puck drops in the Howell Road Elementary School gymnasium, the stakes rise. While the students in grades 3-6 have fun playing, they make no secret about wanting to win and make sure they leave it all out on the rink…or gym floor.

Phys. ed. teacher Rob Primeggia has worked in District 13 for the last 25 years including 24 at Wheeler Avenue School. He runs the much-loved Wheeler Hockey League, which wrapped up its 20th season last winter, and Prime Time Hockey for 19 years.

Primeggia brings his love for sports and his passion for education into every game. During this week’s playoffs, he served as emcee, play-by-play announcer and part-time referee. With his booming voice, fast talking ability and total knowledge of the rules he created, he does well with all three jobs simultaneously.

Looking back on when the league started and where it is today, Primeggia couldn’t be happier. “What’s amazing is that you start out with a simple program and see how it’s grown,” he said. “Sometimes people even plan their vacations or what clinics they’re going to around the playoffs.”

This season, Primeggia has taken his summer league to Howell Road because of construction work at Wheeler. Because of the scenery change, he is without some of the amenities that the Wheeler Avenue gymnasium offers, like a digital scoreboard, plastic sidewall and better ventilation. All the while, he said, this season has still been a success.

Primeggia breaks up the teams based on their skill levels and schedules. There are 205 kids who signed up for this season from elementary schools across Valley Stream, although Primeggia said, about 150 students are from Wheeler Avenue alone. Each of the league’s 14 teams played six regular season games.