ICE HOCKEY  Getting Started...

Skating

1. You WANT to play ice hockey.
2. Find some neighborhood ice rinks. Here are some ideas to begin your search if you are new:
• Friend: If you know someone that plays hockey, this is the absolute best way. This person can show you where he/she plays. Furthermore, person not only can show you the ins, outs, what’s good, what’s bad, and the ropes of the system.
• Phone Book: Begin your search by looking up words such as: hockey, skating, and ice rinks. If these words don’t help, try looking under sporting goods. Most dealers that sell hockey equipment have some idea where you can join a league or where people play.
• Internet: Click here for a rink finder. Or, you can visit the USA Hockey web site for a referral or look up hockey sites using various search engines. Also, many hockey camps have a web site.(If you subscribe to, or can get a copy of, The Hockey News, you should have no problem finding a hockey camp. There's almost always advertisements for them.)
3. Most ice rinks have some sort of hockey program. Visit or call the rink to see if they have a pickup schedule, hockey classes, or hockey programs.
4. Practice skating with rental skates. You may be in a hurry to play, but if you’re new, you should practice your skating skills to master balance and get into shape. You may want to join beginning hockey skate classes. Not only will these classes better your skills, but oftentimes, since you are part of the skate school, the rink would provide incentives such as free/included skate rental unlimited skate sessions, and/or occasional free skate sessions. Keep practicing.
5. Is it time to begin buying your own hockey skates? If you have spent some time skating in rental skates, and skating seems right for you, then it’s time. If you have been participating in beginner hockey skating classes and you are about half way through the program, it is time. Shop at a few pro shops and buy yourself a pair of hockey skates. Also, it may be time to start looking for hockey gloves. You should purchase gloves at the same time you get your skates. By wearing gloves during your skate and practice sessions, you will gain increased confidence in skating because when you fall, you can fall on your hands with the protection of gloves. Furthermore, a lot of people enjoy wearing their hockey skates and gloves during public sessions to show pride in being a hockey player.
6. Practice skating with your new hockey skates. Even if you bought your first pair of hockey skates used, you will need to break them in. Prepare for a period of feet torture. Because your first skates are not exactly your size, they need time to break in, that is, mold to your specific feet size. The time it takes depends on the type of skate you bought, whether they’re new or used, and other factors. In any case, since they’re not perfectly your size, you will be feeling like you are skating in the wrong sized skate. This may at times feel uncomfortable, but this is normal. Some people may take as long as two months to break skates in, but after the break-in period is over, you will have the most comfortable skates in the world.

Pre-Hockey

1. Find a beginner hockey league program or intermediate hockey skating class to join. Check your rink; there may be one available. Another option is to participate in pickup hockey. Pickup hockey is informal hockey consisting of scrimmages with occasional practices and clinics. The skills of participants at pickup hockey range from beginner to advanced. Do not be intimidated. Everyone has started in the beginning at one point in their career. This is the starting point of your hockey career.
2. Decide whether ice hockey is for you. This is the point where you begin spending a lot of money. If you already have spent a lot of money, be prepared to spend even more.
3. Shop for hockey equipment and start buying. Hockey equipment is expensive so you may want to consider used hockey equipment. Some ice rinks have bulletin boards where people post hockey gear for sale. Other options include dealers such as Play It Again Sports. If you have a friend that’s a hockey player, bring him or her along to help you out. They know the major ins and outs and can help you greatly. Also, when visiting pro shops, look for salespeople that work in the department or have played the sport. They can make recommendations that will benefit you later on. Equipment prices range. While the saying “You get what you pay for” generally holds true, you may not want to buy “over-protection.” See the equipment section to determine what’s right for you.
4. At this point, you need to break in the equipment that you purchased. While breaking in other equipment may not be as difficult as breaking in skates, you will appreciate perfectly fitting equipment. Wear all your equipment during the times you are on the ice.

Hockey

1. Join a recreational or competitive ice hockey league. You have the necessary practice, the skills, and the enthusiasm. You have made it this far.
2. Watch hockey games on television and go to hockey games. Now that you’ve been playing, watch others. You should now be in a better position to better appreciate the skating skills and stickhandling skills of professionals. Watch their strategies and plays.
3. While you have been in hockey all this time, you are now where you are supposed to be. You’re playing hockey. From here on, you can advance to further levels of play as you get better. Keep attending practice and keep playing.

About This Site | (C) 2001 DC. All Rights Reserved. | This page last updated January 29, 2001.