You're an adult and you think you want to play hockey. Great! Welcome to some of the hardest fun you'll ever have! I learned how to play hockey in my late-20s, and I remember going home after my first few classes and laying on the couch the rest of the day because of I was so sore (really, I was just out of shape).
Having learned how to play hockey in my adult years, I also understand that it can be intimidating to get started. There's so much going on, there's a ton to learn, the equipment is expensive. You're probably thinking "What am I getting myself into?".
Allow me to simplify things for you so you know how and where to get started. This isn't the answer to everything, but hopefully it makes things a little less intimidating for you.
#1 - Learn To Skate
Maybe you know how to skate. Maybe you don't. Regardless, you'll want to make sure you can skate. This doesn't mean you need to be a top notch skater before you can play hockey, but it's important to remember that hockey is a dangerous sport. There are some basic skills you should have before you start playing hockey.
- Skating In Traffic
- Stopping
- Gliding
- Falling Down (Yes, there's a right way and a wrong way)
- Getting Up
- Skating Backwards (sort of)
- Turning
Keep in mind that these are just as much for your own safety as they are for the other people on the ice.
Most rinks will have some kind of adult skating classes where adults can learn how to skate. I would highly recommend taking a couple of these and getting comfortable skating around the ice. The timing of these classes vary based on the rink, so call around and do your research.
I really can't stress this tip enough. Would you play football or soccer or basketball if you couldn't run or walk? That's what playing hockey and not being able to skate is like.
Not only that, but if you're able to skate you can be an active player, which is going to be way more fun than being that play who is unable to keep up.
With regards to skates, you can rent these from the rink to start out. However, you will want to get your own skates pretty soon. Rental skates are notoriously uncomfortable, not to mention dull. Getting your own skates is a total game changer when you're learning how to skate.
#2 - Don't Buy Top Of The Line Gear (Kind Of)
A common mistake a lot of beginners make is they go out and buy all new, top of the line equipment. Don't, even if you can afford it.
Hockey is a pretty expensive sport, and honestly, the pro stock equipment isn't worth it if you're new to the game. When you're first starting out, pro stock equipment isn't going to make you a better player. Being a solid skater, with decent puck skills, and having an understanding of the game will always make you a better player when you're new to the sport.
Instead, I recommend doing one of three things:
- Buy cheaper entry level equipment.
- Buy equipment from a second hand store (ex: Play It Again Sports or Sideline Swap).
- Browse sales and clearance racks and find good deals on older equipment.
Doing one of these (or even a combination) enables you to:
- Reduce your initial costs.
- Allow you to understand and learn what your preferences are.
Reducing your initial investment is huge. As we said above, hockey is expensive and chances are even if you bought top of the line equipment, your preferences are probably going to change, and you'll want to swap out pieces of your equipment anyways. This means you're now paying double or even triple to find the equipment you like.
What do we mean by preferences? Simple, the equipment manufacturers (Bauer, CCM, Warrior, True, etc.) all make equipment with different fits (Traditional, Anatomical, Tapered). At the end of the day you want equipment that is going to make you feel most comfortable on the ice, so it's good to experiment with different brands and fits until you find something you really like.
#3 - Do Buy Quality Helmet & Gloves
I know we just said to not buy pro stock equipment, but there are two exceptions.
First, you want to make sure you buy a good helmet. You only have one brain, and even at a beginner level, hockey is a fast pace sport and head injuries can happen. Protect your head and get a higher end helmet. This is probably the best investment you can make when you're starting out.
This doesn't mean you need to go out and buy a pro stock helmet, but it does mean you should ignore the super cheap entry level helmets. You should also never consider buying a used helmet.
Hockey helmets are good for a limited number of impacts, and you never know the history of a used helmet. Furthermore, helmets do have an expiration date and it's hard to know or trust the expiration date on a used helmet.
There's a couple things you should know about helmets:
- You Want A Cage Or A Bubble. Never play without a cage or a bubble. If you're starting out playing hockey, you need to wear a cage or a bubble. If you don't, you're asking for trouble, and an expensive trip to the dentist.
- Expiration Date. Every certified helmet has an expiration date. Look for it. If the helmet you're buying has expired, don't buy it.
Secondly, get a quality pair of gloves. Your hands are really fragile and chances are, you use your hands a lot in your day to day life. Investing in a good, quality, pair of gloves will help protect your hands and wrists from injury.
#4 - Take Some Hockey Classes
Once you're comfortable skating, I would highly recommend taking some hockey classes. Most rinks will offer some type of hockey classes for adults. This is a great way to transition from just skating to playing hockey.
When you're just starting out, hockey can feel like walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time. You're still getting used to skating, and now you have this puck and stick to worry about. Adult hockey classes are a great way to not only get used to this, but learn how to play the game.
Adult hockey classes are also great places to network and ask questions.
If you can't find any hockey classes, I would recommend finding a Stick and Puck, or some open ice time that you can go to and get used to skating in full gear and with a stick. If you're not sure what to do at a Stick and Puck, there's some great YouTube videos out there that cover etiquette and simple drills you can do.
#5 - Join An Instructional League
This one varies rink to rink, but I would suggest researching adult instructional leagues in your area. These are also sometimes called "I-Leagues". This is a league meant for adults that are just learning how to play. There's less of an emphasis on competition and winning, and more of an emphasis on having fun and learning how to play.
If there aren't any instructional leagues near you, I would look for some drop in games or find the lowest level league you can.
Conclusion
Hockey is a great activity for adults looking for some fun and exercise. It's important to respect the fact that hockey can also be a dangerous sport. Make sure you take your time and take the right steps when you're just getting started.
Make sure you don't pressure yourself into moving too fast. If you're learning how to play as an adult, you're not going pro, so why rush it and rink injury?
Most importantly, have fun out there! You're not playing hockey professionally, this is something you're choosing to do in your free time - as a hobby.