By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

PELHAM—Pelham Civic Complex Director of Hockey Randy Murphy isn’t afraid to try something new to spread the game to potential players.

In the wake of the “Try Hockey for Free” program, Murphy has come up with an idea to give current players the feel of playing pickup, while competing for a trophy. The Pelham Youth Hockey League’s 3-on-3 league will serve as an “extension of the winter season,” Murphy said.

The league is designed to provide the opportunity to “have fun in a safe, unique structure,” according to a release from the PYHL and Pelham Civic Complex.

The teams will be made up of nine position players and a goaltender, allowing for three lines per team. Each line will have a shift of two minutes, and buzzers will initiate line changes.

Games will last three eight-minute periods, and will be held on Thursday nights.

Murphy said the league will serve youth players of all ages.

“It’s open to (players in) 8-under to 18-under,” he said. “(It’s) not branched to extend to adults.”

Murphy also said while there will be a trophy, the main goal of the league is for player to learn needed skills for hockey —such as reflexes, spatial concepts, skating balance and agility and coordination— the league was putting an emphasis on simply having fun.

“What I’m looking to do is keep it informal for the kids,” he said. “(It’s) about creating the opportunity for them to have fun.”

The cost to play is $200, and full hockey equipment is required to play. For more information, contact Murphy or the Pelham Civic Complex at 620-6448 or rany@pelhamonline.com.