So, You Have Questions About Ice Hockey...

What follows is both some high- & low-level information about what can be involved in playing ice hockey.
It is neither a complete repository, applicable in every instance nor legally binding in any way.
It is meant as guidance (in several directions) to help skaters, new & old, find their way.
This page is intended to be a living document, so updates & corrections will occur.
If you'd like to contribute, please let us know.

• The Process of Joining Youth Hockey:
  1) Find a Club you are interested in joining (School &/or "Travel")
  2) Register with USAHockey via Membership.USAHockey.com
  3) If => 17 calendar-years old, complete U.S. Center for SafeSport Training via USAHockey.com/SafeSportTraining
  4) Provide Age/Citizenship  documentation to USAH if necessary via Atlantic-District.org/Forms
          5)   If <= 18years old and a non-U.S. citizen, complete a Youth Player Transfer form, via www.USAHockey.com/YouthHockeyTransferForms
  6) Complete any school specific forms necessary
  7) Complete any medical clearances necessary
  8) Sign USAH & club specific player/parent waivers
  
  You will probably work closely with your club's registrar to make sure the appropriate documents are completed before you can step on the ice.

• Recommended Equipment for ALL Players - Most Equipment Listed is REQUIRED by USA HOCKEY:
  Club Branded Game Jerseys (Two - Home & Away)
  Practice Jerseys (Usually Two, in Different Colors)
  Certified Helmet w/ Full Cage/Shield (Strongly Suggest Purchasing NEW Helmet)
  Ice Hockey Skates
  Mouth Guard
  Neck Laceration Guard ("Dickie" or Full-shirt Style Recommended)
  Chest Protector (Female/Male Player as Appropriate)
  Elbow Pads
  Gloves w/ Appropriate Gauntlets
  Hockey Girdle
  Jill/Jack Shorts
  Club Branded Hockey Shell
  Club Hockey Socks (Two Pair - Home & Away)
  Shin Guards
  Hockey Stick
  Hockey Tape (Sock & Stick)
  Water Bottle(s)
  
  ALL Equipment Must be Designed & Manufactured for Use in Ice Hockey

Initial & continuing equipment costs can be prohibitive for some players, but there are ways to lessen the impact:
Reach out to relatives or friends who play and may have "old" gear laying around, sticks and skate being most likely
Your club may have donated equipment available to loan
Posting a request at your local rinks for used gear
Checking rink pro shops for discounted equipment
Retailers such Pure Hockey, Play-It-Again, Dick's, Modell's, Sports Authority and other sporting goods stores  †
Reputable on-line sites, such as PureHockey.com, HockeyMonkey.com, IceWarehouse.com, SidelineSwap.com.  †

ALL Equipment Must be Designed & Manufactured for Use in Ice Hockey

Remember, as you continue to grow into the sport and out of your gear, "Pay-It-Forward" to someone who may benefit as you may have.

† - We do not endorse any specific vendor/outlet, but give these as popular examples.  Know what you need and what you will pay, and research whichever manfacturers/vendors you deal with, and their warranty & return policies.

Other Costs That Should Be Considered / May Be Required by Clubs/Teams:
Club Branded Warm-Up Jackets &/or Pants
Other Club Branded Swag
Tournaments
Travel, via car or air
              Travel Time
Hotel, usually a specific hotel required by club &/or tournament organizers
Meals, usually at least one "team meal", other meals on your own
Entertainment, pre- & post-game, evenings
Special Skills Training, On- or Off-Ice
        Conditioning Training
Other Club Sponsored Events
Many clubs require attendance at all sponsored events, regardless of actual player participation

• Ice Hockey FAQs (as we've received them) :
  (Note:  "Child", "Player" & "Skater" may be interchanged in the responses below.  Answers may also apply to older/adult skaters)
  
  Q:  Who is "in charge" of ice hockey?
  A:  The governing body for organized ice hockey in the United States and Canada is USAHockey.com.  USAH oversees Players, Coaches & Officials at all levels, from the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL.com) & the National Hockey League (NHL.com) and The Olympics, down to the youngest levels in the smallest towns.  USAH is responsible for providing safety, skills and management certification training to all members participating in endorsed programs.
  
  Q:  Is ice hockey dangerous?
  A:  When played responsibly, ice hockey is as safe a sport as most others, but injuries do sometimes occur.   Do remember, ice hockey IS a contact sport... opponents, ice surfaces, boards, sticks, pucks, officials, teammates... and while appropriate skills and gear can help minimize injury, injuries do sometimes occur.
  
  Q:  Isn't there checking in ice hockey?
  A:  Yes, there is checking in boys and men's ice hockey.  However, there is NO checking at any level in girls or women's ice hockey.
  
  Q:  Is ice hockey expensive?
  A:  The short but honest answer is Yes, and the cost of playing ice hockey can become intimidating:
  Club fees can easily start at $6,000+ for just the regular season.
  Good, quality, new equipment alone can cost $1,000+, even for beginners.  Equipment will also need to be replaced, due to wear, breakage, loss and player growth.
  Game gear (club branded jerseys, shells, socks) are a required purchase.  Gloves, helmets and even skates can sometimes be be club mandated.
  Additional costs of travel (in money and time) to practices, games, tournaments, "spring league" and other events.
  There are ways to lessen costs, mostly on equipment.
  
  Q:  Does playing ice hockey qualify for any school credits?
  A:  In most cases, Yes, playing a school or club sport can qualify towards a "Physical Fitness"  grade credit.  Check with your school's Athletic Director for more information.
  
  Q:  Will playing ice hockey interfere with school work or other non-hockey activities?
  A:  It can, whether it is a school or travel team.  Many clubs require attendance at all sponsored events, regardless of other schedules or actual player participation.
  As hockey events are scheduled throughout the regular season and year-round, decisions may need to be made whether to attend a game or do homework, go to a school function or on a family trip.
  There may be times where school time might be missed for early practice or games, or travel tournaments.
  Also to consider is that hockey events are often scheduled during major & minor holidays.
  These commitments only grow if a player is a multi-team/multi-sport participant.
  School work will have to be made up.  Lots of players can be found doing school work in the car while traveling, in rink lobbies and locker rooms, in hotel lobbies & rooms.
  Note that many schools will prohibit a skater from playing in a game if they were absent from shool that day due to illness or other non-approved reason.
  Tough decisions often have to be made, and not all clubs are forgiving of missed attendance.
  
  Q:  How old should a child be to try ice skating in general, or ice hockey specifically?
  A:   This is an arguably tough question to answer.  Children develop at different rates... physically, mentally, emotionally & socially.  The child's safety should always top-of-mind, for both parents, their coaches and the club they are in.  Responsible coaches should never put a young skater into situations where any type of injury may occur.
  
  Q:  My child has never been on ice skates before.  Is this a problem?
  A:  Most clubs will welcome skaters new to ice hockey or skating in general, and provide game and skills training in some form.  Note that some clubs are much better than others at this.
  Most rinks have public skate sessions where anyone can come with their own skates or rentals and move around the ice.  Generally, you can also work on various skills, as long as they don't interfere with other skaters.  Rinks do not usually allow for sticks, pucks or full hockey gear to be worn in these sessions.  Check with rinks to see if any particular sessions are less attended or better allow for skills work.
  Many rinks also offer "Learn-to-Skate" & "Learn-to-Play" courses as well.
  For safety reasons, we do not recommend new skaters attempting "open hockey" sessions.  Really, Trust Us...
  
  Q:  My child figure skates.  Can they also play ice hockey?
          A:  We have found over the years that figure skaters have little trouble transitioning into hockey skates and gear, and have a very good "eye for the ice" overall.  The only adjustment we have seen is getting used to the "team" atmosphere of ice hockey, rather than the "solo" nature of figure skating, but that usually disappears after a few ice sessions.
  
  Q:  How do I find a team appropriate to my player?
  A:  A good start is to honestly evaluate your player's skills and what your player is looking for.  Understanding these things will greatly assist in finding a good, fun place for your player to enjoy for years.
  If your player is school age, contact your school's/district's Athletic Director to ask if there is a school or school related team.  Having friends on the ice is often a good, built-in support system for new players.
  Talk to anyone you know who plays or has children who play about their experiences, good and bad.  Joining a "high visibilty" club for the name & logo may not be the best initial steps to enjoying the sport overall.
  USAHockey.com/FindHockey, although not complete, is a resource to se some options in your geographical area.
  
  Q:  What is the time requirement to play ice hockey?
  A:  Depending on the player's age, this answer will vary.
  Using the  PWHL & NHL as the high-end guide, a game is three, 20-minute play periods with two 20-minute intermissions between them and possible overtime.
  Games for younger ages and lower level leagues are three periods, ranging from 10- to 18-minute periods each.
  Many clubs may have several games per week, on both weeknights and weekends. If a Player is on several teams, the number of games increases.
  Most teams will have at least one practice per week, the length of which can vary club to club.
  Travel time to and from rinks must also be taken into account.  Depending on the size of the league your team belongs to, games may be several hours away.
  Multi-day tournaments are also a consideration, for both the time and monetary expense involved (travel, lodging, food, entertainment...)
  
  Q:  My child doesn't like wearing their mouth guard, neck guard &/or face guard.  Why are they required?
  A:  The rules of most ice hockey leagues and, indeed, USAH require mouth, neck and face guards be worn at all times when on the bench or the ice.
  Mouth guards are required in ice hockey primarily to prevent severe dental damage, cushion jaw impacts, and reduce the risk of concussions.
  Neck guards are required in ice hockey to protect players from life-threatening lacerations caused by sharp skate blades, high-speed pucks, and errant sticks.
  Face guards are required in amateur, youth, and women's ice hockey to prevent severe facial lacerations, dental trauma, and catastrophic eye injuries caused by flying pucks, high sticks, and skate blades.
  While at first these safety items may feel uncomfortable, when properly sized & worn, they can literally be life savers in case of an emergency incident.
  
  Q:  Do I need special insurance for ice hockey?
  A:  When registering to be a member of USAH, you are provided with a certain level of basic, supplementary insurance.
  We are NOT experts in this area.  For information on the insurance provided, we STRONGLY suggest reviewing the information provided by USAH via   USAHockey.com/InsuranceManagement, and consulting with your own, personal insurance advisor to review and determine your own possible needs.
  Also, we've noted at several points in these FAQs that certain gear is REQUIRED to be worn, and worn properly, at all times.  While insurance coverage may vary, MOST may be VOID if requirements are not met (much like wearing seatbelts in cars, or smoke detectors in homes).
  
  Q:  What are the rules of ice hockey?
  A:  WOW... Good Question!  We'll refer you to USAHockey.com for a comprehensive resource regarding the rules of play.  Your district (ie: the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association Atlantic-District.org) can provide any rules specific to your region.  Your club's league website should also provide anything specific to their rules & regulations, and your club's coaches & staff should be able to assist as well.
  Learning the rules and penalties, and the referee's hand signals for penalties, can be helpful when sitting in the stands, following the action.
  
  Q:  Is there anything I can do to help the club?
  A:  Of course!
  
  Q:  I think I'd like to become a Referee/Official.
  A:  More information and links are available via www.USAHockey.com/Officials
  
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• Goalies:
  
          Q:  My child wants to be a Goalie.  Is there anything special I should do?
  A:  🤣😲🤣😲🤣😲🤣😲🤣😲🤣
  
          Oh, you're serious... Ooooookayyyyy...
  
  Ice hockey goalies are a special breed in many ways. Not too many people will volunteer to stand between a hard, rubber puck traveling at high speed and the net they are protecting, and do so continiously throughout a game, a season or a career.
  
  Goalies are the one thing a team cannot do without, and volunteering to stand in net for your team is somethig to be celebrated.
  
  At a young age, it isn't about making saves. It is figuring out how to move in your equipment, seeing where the puck is, falling down and getting up, and FUN! Movement will improve, then seeing where the puck might go and, yes, falling down and getting up.
  
  There can also be a LOT of pressure on the goalkeeper, from coaches, teammates and others including their own family, especially when games are not going well. A parent needs to be there to help keep that pressure as low as possible, and not let it start to discourage their child or, worse yet, make that child feel like they've disappointed anyone.  Ask if they fell they played their best, and support them in every step as they grow.
  
  We've a few suggestions from some of our experienced goalies to pass along...
  1:  Goalies are the last line of defense, NOT the ONLY line.  You win, and lose, as a team.
  2:  Used goalie gear is fine, except for the helmet.  DON'T SKIMP on the helmet.  It's your most important piece for gear.
  3:  Do the stretches and excercises. There's tons of free literature and YouTube videos that focus on stuff you can do off-ice.
  4:  Try skating out as a player once in a while.  It gets you using different muscles, and seeing the game from a different angle.
  5:  If play is at the other end, don't switch your brain off. Follow the play, watch how it sets up, and watch what the other goalie does and doesn't do. It'll keep you mentally engaged and help with play reading.
  6:  Communicate! Call out if you can't see, or if someone is sneaking at the back door. Talk to your teammates between plays. Encourage them just as much or more than they encourage you.
  
  On occasion, your goalie may be asked to fill-in on another team because of absence or illness of that team's rostered goaltender.  You can accept or decline, but it is an opportunity to experience how another team plays. Standing behind a different defense and offense is a chance to learn outside of your normal play, adding to your skill set to better your play.

• A Final FAQ:
  
      Q:  How can I help my child have the best experience possible?
      A:  Be there for THEM.
  Be your child's advocate and be involved.  Don't just drop your child off at the rink.  Stay, sit in the stands, stand at the boards, observe.
  You might not know a lot about ice hockey, but you'll pick-up on the feel of your child's participation in games and practices.
  Don't accept the actions, attitudes, decisions or opinions just because "The Coach Says So!"  Too many parents believe that the club is the be all, end all and should have final say in YOUR player's enjoyment.  They aren't, and they shouldn't.
  Ask questions on the ride from and to home.  Ask your player often if they are having FUN, if they are HAPPY, if they LIKE the club, the team, the coaches, their teammates and listen to the answers.
  Don't try to coach your child from the stands, or the boards, or in the car, or at the dining table.  They have coaches, and coaches do have game plans and practice drills that work best when everyone works together.
  
  You BOTH are paying a pretty high price in money, time and emotion, and you DO have a say in what your child's experience should be.
  
  One of the worst things to hear is a child has quit not just the team but ice hockey altogether because of bad experiences.