John Windust has seen the Bainbridge Roller Hockey League from all angles.

He began playing at the tender age of 9, and now, nearly 10 years later, he is teaching children the game, the same way he learned.

“I went into the league not even knowing how to skate, and in my senior year I ended being one of the better players,” said Windust, who graduated from North Kitsap High School in June.

Windust’s story is like many others who enter the league with no hockey experience and emerge with enough skill and understanding to teach it to other youngsters.

The season, which ended late last month, was the league’s 13th. Games run from May through July. Split into three age divisions, the league features playing opportunities for kids between the ages of 7 and 17, and in some cases 18. Each division has four teams.

Doug Greason has been as instrumental in the league’s success as anyone. During the league’s formative years, Greason and his son helped build the roller rink at Battle Point Park where the games are played.

Greason coached and officiated in the league, and he now serves as the president of the board of directors. Both his kids are in the league as well.

Greason enjoys seeing the players grow up on the rink.

“You see kids now who are real strong players and you remember them as little kids who could barely stand up,” he said.

Each division played its championship games over the weekend of July 25 and 26.

In Division 1, the 7 to 10-year-olds, the Stars edged out the Lightning 5-4 in overtime.

The Flyers, coached by Windust, took home the Division 2 crown, defeating the Flames 9-2.

In Division 3, the Kings beat the Jets 8-6. Windust’s Avalanche finished in third place in the division, beating the Redwings 13-4.

In his final playing season, Windust, who is one of seven 2009 graduates from the league, also took home the Mary Clare award, given out to the player with the most team spirit.

“This player comes to practices and games with ‘Yes, we can’ spirit and always tries their best,” said league registrar Jing Fong.

The award was named for Clare, one of the league founders.

While it is a significant accomplishment to take home the league championship, it doesn’t translate to the next season. To prevent the same kids from winning every year, Fong said, teams split up and reform at the end and beginning of each season.

An evaluation process before the season starts allows the teams to balance talent equally, Fong said. All-star and select teams don’t exist, and the emphasis is on team play and individual improvement.

“You can be a star, and at the same time you can be just beginning and not have to feel embarrassed or unwelcome,” Fong said.

The friendly and welcoming nature of the league doesn’t eliminate competition, Windust said. From the beginning, coaches emphasize the development of individual and team skills.

Windust, who is no longer eligible to play in the league, said he will be back for another year of coaching. He is still working on developing coaching techniques, but so far the key has been to avoid negativity.

“I know the first year I was coaching I wasn’t as patient because I felt like everyone should know how to skate,” he said. “Always being positive is important, in the end it helps them progress better.”