Commonly Asked Questions

I’m sure this has been asked a million times haha

Little back history- I (25m) haven’t skated in about 11 years. Wasn’t the best. Played ball hockey for about 8 years, but haven’t played that in about 5 years. The goal is to work on my skating and proper stick handling this winter, do some pick up in the summer and possibly join a league next fall-winter. I’m lucky enough to live in an area where there’s about 9 rinks and a couple ODRS in a 20 minute range from my house.

I have no equipment and no experience with actual ice hockey. I do plan to go to the local hockey store this week and get fitted for skates / a bucket.

I’ve heard to not be cheap on the skates and the helmet, but everything else I can mostly get second hand.

Is there anything I should avoid? Anything that is a must have/must know? Is my timeline reasonable?

I appreciate any answers and advice given!

Pretty much the title. Do you use the same stick for ice, roller, and ball hockey? Also, for someone who’s having trouble getting control of the ball/puck, do you recommend I go for stick length at eye-level? Mine is currently at my lip and chin area and I’m having difficulty winning battles and losing pucks/balls.

Just got in an argument pre-game with my spouse. Brings up points for our kid (U10) to work on while pulling up to the rink. So I think the issue is, he leads off with telling my kid what he's doing wrong. He phrases it in the negative and my son does not react well, tells dad "please stop your voice fills my head with bad stuff right before the game." Instead of trying to change up the delivery spouse starts arguing with my kid about his listening and how he needs to leave (edit, learn) to take advice? Sometimes I rephrase, like pick out the message of what TO DO (rather than what he's been doing wrong) but spouse kind of doubles down on his negative points and also gets mad at me later but omg the kid is asking to not be negative before a game I think it's pretty simple. I'm not a hockey player, just played random sports, know a little psych, and read a lot here. aren't you supposed to give like 1-2 pointers and keep reminding the kids simply on what TO do, because putting the spotlight on changing what's been wrong CAN get mess up a kid's head, right? Idk if I overthink it but their interactions suck, I speak up on behalf of the kid (first line center, he's doing a lot right!) and now I'm a bad guy. Thoughts appreciated, I know there are some good coaches in this sub.

i'm a 9.5 sometimes 10 in sneakers, and i'm about to buy my own skates but i'm not sure if I should get an 8 or 7

I’m a newish coach. Old guy in my thirties now but played junior way back in the day. I coach 14U, 12U, 10U. Truly a passion of mine.

As many of you know, coaching at higher levels is quite gate-kept. Even getting onto the ice with a good AAA 12U team requires some serious “who ya know” type of work.

Anyway I’m looking for any teams/coaches around the area that would be willing to just let me absorb knowledge from them. I’m happy to setup cones, pass pucks, hell just sit in the stands during practice. Just really wanting to learn more from people who are really excelling so I can keep helping the kids I coach get better and set myself up for more opportunity in the future. Coaching for me is a passion and I consider myself a lifelong student of the game.

Anyway if you’re in the region, I’d love to connect. I’m not expecting anyone to hand me anything or give me some grand opportunity, just looking to grow. Happy to even just chat if that’s all ya got. Would especially love to connect with defensive development coaches as well.

Thanks guys!

My kid has a pair of FT490 skates that I got him used last year. He loves them, but his feet grew again and it’s time for something new. I know nothing about skates, but he said he wants the same thing but slightly bigger. Couldn’t find anything on sideline swap. What skates nowadays would fit similarly? I see some FT4 skates in his size. The Play it Again Sports near us had nothing.

I was in a rush to get dressed for a pick up game, I didn't loosen up my skates enough and as I was pushing my right foot down into my skate, I felt a distinct popping sensation in my lower right back. I actually finished getting dressed and played the game, but a week later now and I can not get in and out of bed or my car without an electric shock to my lower right back. Having a hard time in general moving cus of it. Anyone ever do this? Did you find out if its a muscle sprain/strain issue or a disc issue?

Hi everyone,

For background I have not grown up playing ice hockey. I played a lot of roller growing up but I did not start playing ice hockey until I was 17. I have good puck handling and shooting but my skating is really basic.

I was recently asked to join the higher skill division. I didn’t think much of it because I’ve played in higher skilled divisions before but for some reason in this league the game is extremely fast paced. It’s so fast paced that you barely have any time to make a play when you touch the puck.

And that’s where I’m struggling the most. I don’t know what to do when the defenseman is on top of me the second I have the puck. All I need is some space to look up and make a play. If I have those extra 1 or 2 seconds I could make a play but I can’t seem to find or make that space I need.

Does anyone here have any tips?

Also I’m clueless on what to do during face offs. I usually wait in place to see where the puck goes but I know that can’t be the right move.

https://www.karkkainen.com/verkkokauppa/ccm-tacks-as6-pro-sr-left-jaakiekkomaila?id=103510266&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm5e5BhCWARIsANwm06imcyq7eTJxRuXGESfZOculmbLu3dJzllxoZZko8FusgEqdsQF_cQ8aAufuEALw_wcB

Hey guys Currently on lower vapors 9,5 fit2 and i tried shadows size 9 fit1 and i think i fell in love. What would you choose? Hype2’s? Shadows? Why?

Been wanting to try Trigger 8 Pros and they finally came down in price so I grabbed what I could find, however there were only 85 flexes available just about everywhere except Sideline Swap. Typically use Vapors p28/77.

I got on the ice for warmups early with the Trigger, overall I liked it a lot. Stickhandling feel was great and very smooth movement, but had a few shot concerns.

When I hit the sweet spot I def noticed extra zip and power, and it can heatseek corners - but I found a fair amount of shots that my vapor would normally buzz came off like ducks with the Trigger. Especially off-balance/in-strides – ones that included movement, which I love to do. Vapor just seems way more forgiving on those back-foot or curling stretch shots.

So, curious for input on if this is just the added stiffness, new brand tech, or just adjustment to a new stick overall? I’ve used vapors with the same pattern/flex for last 5 years so it’s been a while.

I started playing in a women's hockey league last year but have played ringette my whole life. I can keep up and compete but I'm still navigating sportsmanship and etiquette (It isn't beginner hockey, playing with ladies that have played a long time).

There is one forward I play against that consistently oversteps in the crease, snow plows my goalie, holds my stick, hooks, slashes, etc. she is the only one I've played against that takes it to a level that seems extreme and I'm not sure how to navigate it.

Are there sneaky secrets to dealing with a dirty forward? Willing to do what needs to be done, just don't want to get kicked out of the league!

Looking for ideas for 1/4 zone passing drills for fairly skilled U9 players. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Hey guys, newish to hockey. But one of my teammates yelled Michigan him when we had the puck in the offensive zone. Help me understand so I don’t seem stupid?

Does anyone have a similar experience-

Our son (10u Squirt) was an assessed a penalty after the game ended- Cross Checking- Minor- 1.5 minutes. 2 days later we found out the penalty had been escalated to a Match Penalty and that he was suspended until he attended a disciplinary hearing. About 5 days later we recieved the incident report that was submitted.

The Head Coach of the team we were playing put himself down as one of the game officals and is the person who changed the penalty to a Match Penalty. This feels weird because he wasn’t reffing and the Live Barn footage shows him not seeing the penalty. The angle of the actual incident was also obscured from the live barn footage, so I’m not really understanding how he was able to determine the ref didn’t make the correct call.

Our organization hasn’t been very helpful with understanding what’s going on and what to expect during the hearing. Would love any insight about the situation and what to expect at a hearing!

I play in a beer league of mainly similarity aged (mid-late 20s) guys and have recently seen more defenders getting upset at forwards trying to shoot through the screen they’re creating on their goalie.

I’ve always felt that’s the cost of doing business as a defender, especially considering nobody is intentionally hitting their ankles but interested in this groups thoughts

is there any beer league in canada quebec that allows you to play without a helmet ? i play on the pond without one so i should be able to in the league

Ciao a tutti Da quando ero piccola ho sempre avuto una passione per l'hockey. ora ho appena fatto 14 anni e da un paio di anni faccio pattinaggio di figura, secondo voi è troppo tardi per cominciare hockey?

12u A level team.

Have one player (been playing for 6 years, so not new to the game) that is assigned to D (not new to the position)

-Spends lots of time below opponent's net after skating it in instead of passing to set up a break out.

-Slow on the back check, had a game today he was last in the zone several times because of ^

-Blames others for his mistakes

I feel like every team has this one kid. Anyone have any advice on how to straighten him out? It becomes a cancer to the rest of the team. Strong victim/fixed mindset mentality

*EDIT* - thank you everyone for the insightful responses! I'm an Assistant coach on this team, but I've known this specific kid for several years now. Have seen what previous coaches have tried to do to address this, so was just looking for any other ideas. There are many to go through in this below list, some we haven't yet tried. So again, many thanks!

I have been playing hockey for 9 months in public ice shiftes. but past 2 months my skates have been hurting really bad. Its good for first 1-4 minutes but then they start hurting on right side of my feet really bad. and then i cant think on anything else and i lost my focus. Help please

(Editing because my question isn't really clear) I don't really know how to explain but I'm about to tape my stick for the first time but I don't really know how to if you get what I mean

I got recommended to try super feet, ive just used the same insoles that i use for all my shoes(not made specifically for skates, walkahero is the brand). Has anyone used super feet and if so is it worth the price or should I just stick with what I got?

I really wanna get start playing ice hockey and I signed up for a tryout and even sent an e-mail, but for days now there hasn’t been an answer. Should I keep waiting or does this mean they don’t even wanna put up with me? Because they have never even seen me and I’m not that bad on the ice and know a few rules already, but I’m pretty old and I’m scared they’re just gonna see me as useless and they are the only team my age in my city so that would really suck

Y’all think I should wait a few more days? Or can I already expect them to not be interested in teaching me?

I fat fingered a purchase of size 9.5R True 9X4 on my phone when I wear 8.5R. Unfortunately no returns so I'm trying to recoup some of my money. Looking for $825 shipped within the US. Can meet up in person if you're around Los Angeles.

Skates are brand new in the box, never been worn. Can take photos if needed.

I (33/F) can stand up on skates and push off but I’m still wobbly. I’ve recently developed a huge interest in wanting to play hockey and a friend of mine has been helping me skate and play roller hockey outside when we don’t have access to public skating but..my question is, how long will it take me to learn how to skate very well, do a great hockey stop, learn how to do that cool walking cross over thing? I really want to learn! I’ll take skating lessons in January through the summer but….I WANT TO PLAY HOCKEY!!!

Edit: you guys are absolutely fantastic!! Thank you for all your encouragement and kind words! Ive booked some extra ice time and hopefully with a lot of patience and practice I’ll be the next Bedard hahahah!

Edit 2: I live in southern Ontario (Canada)

How do the young NHL kids like Bedard, Celebrini, Smith continue their education. Do they just give it up? What is the usual case?