How to Play Youth Hockey

All professional hockey players started off their career by playing youth hockey, which is where kids learn basic skills. Youth hockey is also a time for personal development and self discipline. Although kids learn all this, they also play hockey to have fun and enjoy playing with teammates. Depending on your location, youth hockey teams might be in abundance--all it takes is a little research.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a team to play on, whether it's highly competitive or just for fun. This may depend on your skill level or your level of commitment. Ask around to find teams or leagues that may interest you. You may have to try out to make the team, however.

2. Talk with your parents about their role when it comes to your youth hockey involvement. You're not going to get very far without some sort of commitment from them, since youth hockey involves them driving you to games and practices as well as a contributing financially.

3. Purchase your hockey gear. You need skates; helmet with face mask; mouthpiece; gloves; shoulder, shin and elbow pads; and sticks. If you're a goaltender, you need goaltending equipment.

4. Hit the ice with your friends and teammates, and have fun. The best part about youth hockey is that you're playing for fun and you're learning at the same time.

Tips & Warnings

• One great aspect about playing youth hockey is that you use the same equipment as the professionals. The ice surface also stays the same. The only difference is the size in the equipment.
• The cost to play youth hockey can be fairly steep. League fees, traveling expenses, as well as the cost for equipment, can certainly add up.
• With more than 260 thousand kids younger than 19 who play youth hockey, odds are against you to make the National Hockey League (NHL). Not everyone who competes can end up in the NHL.

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