So, When Does Hockey Season Start Again? Part IV: So, You Want to Play Hockey?

When I played in the 60's through the 80's, helmets were just coming out and the NHL was just starting to use them. It's funny to watch vintage hockey games and see half the players with them and the other half without.

They start at around $50.00. Then you add a cage or a visor to protect against that wicked slap-shot to the face and you're looking at around $100.00. You can find a used one for about a third to half the price and it should do just as well as new. Just make sure it doesn't have any cracks in the plastic and the strap is intact and working.

Gloves...

Like a helmet, another necessary evil and just as expensive. But you need to protect your hands against flying pucks and errant uses of the stick. These you can also buy used to save some money but you have to make sure that the padding and the inner material isn't torn up.

You have to have a goalie...

This is a whole other subject in the world of hockey. Except for the jerseys and the skates, the equipment for this position is totally different. And without a goalie, you might as well take up figure skating.

When I played those pick-up games, we usually chose the two biggest and worst skaters as netminders. Some of them liked being the goalie because they didn't have to skate from one end of the ice to the other.

However, they use a different type of stick, a mask instead of a helmet and blockers and catchers instead of just regular gloves. With each different piece of equipment, add about 25-50 percent to the cost.

Now, the puck is cheap...

That's the good news about playing hockey and that's about all that can be said about the puck. Except for without it you might as well look into those figure skating classes, again.

Finding a patch of ice...

I grew up near Hockeytown where the snow/ice season started around September/October and lasted until May. Finding a piece of ice to play on was like finding a patch of grass to play football or soccer.

When you live in the northern US, it's easy to come by. We did have ice rinks, but we used those during the summer to practice. Ice rinks have boards, blue and red lines and worst of all, rules and regulations.

If you've ever watched the movie "Mystery, Alaska", you'll know what I'm talking about. We played on open ice with a ridge of snow that separated the free skate from the hockey game. We had 20-30 players per side playing at one time.

When you live in the south, you almost have to find a rink, which comes with another expense. You have to pay for ice time, anywhere from about $6-12.00 per visit.

Oh, you want to play in a league?

So far, we've talked, basically, about pick-up games. What happens if your child not only enjoys playing but then wants to join an organized hockey team? That opens up another world to your pocketbook.

Now, you have to look at pads and uniforms and rink costs and team fees and... Well, you know what I'm talking about. You also need a coach and someone with some kind of medical background on you side because players will get injured. It's inevitable.

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