Getting Started

Most adults end up playing hockey because of their friends.   A friend or co-worker will mention the game they played last night and the conversation will inevitably begin with “You play hockey?!”  “Isn’t it rough . . . expensive . . . difficult...?  You may silently ask yourself, am I too ____ to play hockey??”  After an animated discussion, a new player is born.  

 
Most new adult players have some previous skating or hockey experience.  Some may not have skated on ice, but instead used in-line skates.  The player who has no skating experience should read some of the books or watch some of the videotapes we have selected in our Bookstore.

Hockey has evolved from a physical, checking game to one of skating, passing, and shooting.  To play well in adult hockey, the individual player should focus on four key areas:  Personal Fitness, Individual Skills, Team strategy and Team Organization

 Players can continue to improve and have fun over a lifetime by focusing on these important areas.  

"I didn’t play hockey in high school or college.  I was on the debate team.  My brother played hockey in Wisconsin and I was always envious of the opportunity to be part of the team.  I finally had the chance to join an adult beginner team and have been playing for over twenty years."   -  Mark 

 "I played in youth hockey leagues and also on the junior varsity squad in high school.  I quit in my junior year, and only played sporadically after that.  Mark rekindled my interest in hockey after many years of being off my skates. - Dan

We worked together in county government -- different departments.  We were working together on a re-use project for a historic building in downtown Minneapolis and Mark suggested a hockey rink!  In discussing this possibility, I was amazed to learn about the high demand for ice time in our area.  The increased demand was due in large part to new hockey teams forming for adult men and women players.  I remembered how fun hockey was and is!  Mark hooked me up with a local league, and voile`, I was playing once again! 

"The enthusiasm for hockey that I have rediscovered will show up in this handbook.  You do not have to be big or fast to play well for fitness and fun.  Even 'older guys' like me can play and contribute on an adult team." -- Dan