Being a Hockey Parent

[macsauce13]

The bank.

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by macsauce13

The bank.

....oh they have been more than helpful in sending my money to Players Bench....

[357]

I have a few questions for you hockey parents. My son is 4 and will be starting Kindergarten in September. He turns 5 in November.

My questions are:

What age can he start playing ice hockey?


What are the expected costs (ballpark)


Should I start him out in floor or roller hockey first?


I only ask because I've never really played ice hockey. I grew up playing street hockey and indoor floor hockey. In college I played a season of roller, but only 1 game in an organized ice hockey league as a fill in. I know nothing of how youth ice hockey works.

Thanks,
Mike

[E.J.]

My

Originally Posted by 357

What age can he start playing ice hockey?

In my backyard they can start in leagues at 6, but "Start Smart" at 5. My daughter has been skating since the age of 4 and will start the "Start Smart" program now(5). Start Smart is like hockey practice with scrimmages for the kids....no designated teams.

Originally Posted by 357

What are the expected costs (ballpark)

Our Recreational Program's regular season(what would be considered standard hockey not travel, summer, 3-3 ect) is $300 + the USA Hockey Fee which is $40. Equipment can be had for what you want to spend. I bet you could outfit a kid with used equipment from a skate swap, including a stick for under $50....or you could spend $1500+ on gear(though that level of pricing may be difficult to hit for a 5 year old ).

Originally Posted by 357

Should I start him out in floor or roller hockey first?

I don't see a reason to do this.... Though I have never even played roller hockey.........

[Gophernut]

Originally Posted by 357

I have a few questions for you hockey parents. My son is 4 and will be starting Kindergarten in September. He turns 5 in November.

My questions are:

What age can he start playing ice hockey?


What are the expected costs (ballpark)


Should I start him out in floor or roller hockey first?


I only ask because I've never really played ice hockey. I grew up playing street hockey and indoor floor hockey. In college I played a season of roller, but only 1 game in an organized ice hockey league as a fill in. I know nothing of how youth ice hockey works.

Thanks,
Mike

I would check with your local hockey association. I was a board member of ours for the past 5 years, and the one thing we worked the hardest on was to increase the number of players. We did this in a couple of ways. First, we instituted a "Learn to Skate Program", then started a "Learn to Play Hockey" program. Both of these programs were inexpensive. We also had free equipment for 1st year players. After the first year, and up to the squirt level you could lease the equipment for the year for around $100. That's where I would start anyways. Either the association or the Rink manager should be able to help.

[Eleven]

Originally Posted by 357

What age can he start playing ice hockey?

Thanks,
Mike

From my experience with Detroit parents, I think most get their kids on the ice sometime in the first trimester.

[357]

E.J. - Thanks for the links and the great pics. My wife and I are so excited for our son to get into sports, especially hockey. I will post some pics when I can.

Originally Posted by Eleven

From my experience with Detroit parents, I think most get their kids on the ice sometime in the first trimester.

Yeah, there are a lot of hockey parents in the Detroit area. Heck we had three NHL owners in town until recently (Wings, Canes, Lightening). Unfortunately I never really played ice hockey. I'm planning on making sure my son gets that opportunity starting as young as he can.

[Ahbroody]

Originally Posted by 357

I have a few questions for you hockey parents. My son is 4 and will be starting Kindergarten in September. He turns 5 in November.

My questions are:

What age can he start playing ice hockey?


What are the expected costs (ballpark)


Should I start him out in floor or roller hockey first?


I only ask because I've never really played ice hockey. I grew up playing street hockey and indoor floor hockey. In college I played a season of roller, but only 1 game in an organized ice hockey league as a fill in. I know nothing of how youth ice hockey works.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike just wanted to chime in also. Everyone has there own views on things. It is a lot of learn as you go though. I have picked Als brain and talked to many others. Each child is very different and you need to know your child and experiment to see what works.

1)Micah started playing ice at 3.5 He was pretty much the youngest kid though and there was good and bad about that. It definelty pushed him. If he will be 5 when the season starts thats more then old enough. Micah will be turning 5 during his second season.

2)Should be a lot cheaper for you, but out here it was about 1k for the season. regardless of age. So when you see the cost just remember it could be worse.

3) I stated Micah roller blading at about 2.5. He didnt ice skate till 3. I felt it helped him a lot with ice. I am about to do the samething with my middle daughter. Actually I start them in a 4 wheel plastic skate so they learn balance and push. Then a roller blade, then an ice skate.

Cause we are sharing heres a video from May for summer league. He is wearing 25 in the video. He was being lazy unless he had the puck. Sometimes he skates hrd sometimes he doesnt. At 4 I am just happy he loves skating and I never have to encourage him. You will see some parents do things at the rink that makes you shake your head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyob7dfiEw4

[althekillr]

hockey parents definately give up alot. I remember my dad waking up at 4 am on saturday monrings to make 5 am practices. that and all the expenses of gear.

What age can he start playing ice hockey?

i would highly suggest private skating lessons to build a good foundation, even before hockey or at the same time if you can do both. might be good to start hockey first to build up the interest and then he will see the value of the skating lessons.

[Smokin Gator]

You guys enjoy it while you can... My son played local club soccer from 4-8. Then came travel soccer (all over the southeast) from 9-17. On top of that was middle school and high school soccer. Now he plays in college but it is so different than being able to travel and spend time at the fields. I miss it badly. Yep, it cost me a small fortune, but I wouldn't trade the memories for all the money in the world!!!

[357]

Thanks for the info guys. Any contact info for these league? Are they national organizations or just find the local deal and go?

I definitely am OK with used gear. Although I know hockey gear can and does stink like no other. We might have to get on of those steam cleaner or something. Just to clean the old funk out of the pads before giving them to my son.

Anyway,
Thanks again

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by 357

Thanks for the info guys. Any contact info for these league? Are they national organizations or just find the local deal and go?

Here you go Mike....

http://www.detroithockey.org/i-program.htm

Looks like $150 for their iProgram, all-inclusive....

BTW used gear isn't bad at all, especially with young kids...

[E.J.]

Because it is a slow work day and I am prideful....here are a few photos I have at the workplace of my experience as the Little Man has progressed through Mites, Squirts, Pee Wee, Bantam and this Summer's delve into the High School Hockey program.... It is "fairly" chronological, but not 100%.... There are missing years, but the first 2 are his first year if I recall correctly....

[E.J.]

There was a time that the Little Man wanted to be between the pipes.... He liked that long enough that it cost me a set of pads... He did it every summer for a bit....

[Gophernut]

Awesome Pics! As I think about it more and more, I am sure going to miss watching the boy play!

[E.J.]

That is stinking awesome Mike! Good stuff.....

That age is so fun!

[E.J.]

I'm off to another game.... Second round of the playoffs!

[E.J.]

Well....that didn't work out the way we planned.... Guess we have to make it through the losers bracket... Dropped them to 1-1 in the playoffs....

[Ahbroody]

Holy crap!!!!
Number 12 is wearing Bauer 2000's I think from 03 and those Nike Ignites number 9 has are from 2001. Sorry gear whore took over.

Sorry about the Loss.
Love the Fishbowl. Micahs is scratched pretty good after one year I need to get him a new one.

[Ahbroody]

I have definetly found something that is frustrating about the minimite level. Peoples shiiiiitass kids.

Some of you I spoke with privately about a kid we had in the league who sucked and instead of trying to play would skate around running kids from behind and boarding them. He was little and weak on his skates so even though he was dangerous he wasnt to dangerous. An anonymous email was sent to the league head and the child and father were called in and told they would be banned if it occurred again. This child has now been much better.

That said a new kid has decided to start crosschecking kids from behind. Again another poor skater. Today his mom who is clearly a model citizen was filming her kid and a group of us decided to discuss some kids issues with crosschecking. She gave a dirty look. After the boy went after Micah I called him over and right infront of her said "hey if that boy keeps crosschecking you its okay for you to defend yourself" . This women gave me a very dirty look. After the game she again scowled at me when she walked by.

Looking back I am kind of regreting this. I generally tell Micah just skate harder if someone bothers him. I know these kids tend to get weeded out naturaley, but its just irritating. Clearly Micah being so young and not understanding why the kid crosschecked him and how to handle it adds to my frustration as his parent. I guess this is the downside of having your kids start so young and play with 6-7 year olds. next year I know this wont be an issue.

You dads with experience how did you address it