Don’t worry, you are not alone. Not everyone lives close to an arena as a kid or has a family who can afford the big costs of putting multiple kids through youth hockey. Now you’ve stabilized the income level and, even if you just discovered your new found love for the sport, are dying to put on some skates and fire-off some shots. Whether you are barely 20 years old or over 50, there’s a league out there just waiting for you! Here are a few tips to guide you along.
Do you want to play ice or roller hockey?
This is the starting point. If you are one of our readers, odds are that field hockey is not an option you are considering. It's a great sport, just not currently so popular in North America. For the other two options, geography may limit your options on this decision as ice arenas cost much more to run in warmer climates. Both are hockey, both require the same basic skills, and both are super frickin’ awesome! See what you’re coworkers or buddies are doing. Hockey is always more fun when you are playing with friends. No matter which you choose, you won’t regret it.
First things first, learn to skate
Skating can be easy to pick up at its purest form. Stopping, turning, and skating like a hockey player can be a bit trickier. Personal lessons will give you the quickest results, but obviously they can get pricey. Most arenas offer open skating blocks at multiple times during the week. Lunch time skating blocks seem to be pretty easy to find if you already have skates. If not, there are skate rentals available at most places, you just have to call around. Which brings us to the next point.
You don’t need a full set of equipment
Save yourself some coin right way and don’t go buy a full set of equipment until you need it. To get the right feel, you’ll need skates, a stick (preferably one of our Twigs), a puck, and gloves. Twig Hockey Company recommends a helmet to keep your dome in one piece as well, but really it’s not a necessity right away. Most arenas offer a sticks and pucks session or two during the week. This is the perfect opportunity to go out practice some skating and stick handling stills without having to worry about a defensemen bearing down on you.
You’re ready for a league
Once you think you’ve mastered enough of the basics to not look like a complete pylon out there on the ice, it’s time to find a league. I’m assuming you will have had some conversations with friends, family, and/or coworkers by now and you have a pretty good bead on who has a team that may be able to take you. Talk to them. Don’t be shy.
If your network is a little dry still or if you aren’t much of a networker, pick up the phone. Call your local arenas and ask. They usually know the leagues well and can direct you to a manager who may be willing to take you on. There are beginner leagues everywhere, so finding one of these should be pretty easy. In my experience, there is almost always at least one opening in the league. You just have to find the team that has it.
That’s real it. Just about as easy as joining any youth sports team, you just don’t have your parents doing it for you anymore.