I want to play ice hockey?

Question

I want to play ice hockey. I'm 15, and have never skated in my life. What are some good tips to start ice hockey? What equipment would I need, etc?

Answer 1

First of all, since you've never skated. You should take some lessons, being a good skater is crucial to being a hockey player. Stopping is hard, the later you start the harder it'll be.

Once you're comfortable with skating and knowing to stop and all that. Have an understanding of the sport if you're not quite familiar with it. Have some scrums and then sign up/register onto a house league team.

For equipments, it varies from player to player and position.

If you want to be a goalie, get goalie pads obviously, gloves, blockers, helmets, a store represenative should be able to recommend some equipment for you.

If you want to limit your spendings on equipment, you can buy used equipment from Play It Again Sports. They also have new equipment as well.

Answer 2

The two previous answers are correct, I think.  I have been playing hockey for about 45 years.  I love it, and believe me, I am not that good, so for me it is all about being on a team, getting exercise and playing a game that I have loved since a kid.

Rent a pair of skates for the first couple of times and go to public skating.   If you like it and believe that you want to continue, sign up for some skating lessons and invest in a decent pair of skates.  A good pair of new skates will cost you at least $150, after that, there really is no limit.  Good skates and real lessons are crucial.  Be sure to buy the needed equipment only after you are convinced hockey is for you.  Some equipment is fine if it is used.  Equipment like pants, gloves and elbow pads can be bought at swap meets and used equipment stores, but I suggest you invest the money necessary to buy some of it new, like your helmet, shoulder pads and jock.  Second, play ball hockey with your friends, at school, in the basement, on the street.  Handling the stick well is your next most important skill.  Shoot, shoot and shoot some more.  Use cones for drills and targets.  It is always better to have at least a couple of guys or girls; that way you can pass and shoot and practise skills like backhanding, one timers and stick handling.  If you are a girl play with boys, too.  If you are a guy, mix it up with the girls.  One of the best things that has happened in hockey over the last generation is that both sexes (in Canada at least) play the game now.  

My only "be careful" part of joining hockey is to not worry about making the rep team, or winning the league's scoring title, or getting a bunch of trophies.  I find playing hockey addictive.  I love my Saturday night games and my occassional game of Tuesday or Thursday.  If you were to pool 100 hockey players across the country - randomly selected - maybe 6 will go on to play high level hockey.  Of those 1 or 2 might play end up actually making a living at playing.  (Very, very few are interviewed on Hockey Night In Canada). So, set your sights high but be realistic.  It is the best sport on the planet.  It is never to late to start and there is no good reason to end your playing days.

Answer 3

To get started i would suggest buying only the skates and going to open skate sessions at your local ice rink. This will be relatively cheap and it will help you learn how to skate

The is a lot of equipment you will need to play serious ice hockey. It includes:

skates, shin pads, hip pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, helmet, mouth gaurd