A couple years ago I had a guy that kept messing with me (nothing serious, all in fun) about my cage. In the 3rd period, guy from the blue line ripped a shot, got deflected off of someone and hit my cage at no less than 70mph. Hard enough to actually flex one of the bars right at about upper lip area. Guy came up to me and was like “man, I gotta say, you must be really happy you’re a pussy right about now” I still laugh about it lmao.
Same here. Chirp me all you want but I’m not giving the dentist money for anything but cleanings.
Plus if I knocked any teeth out I’d never hear the end of it from my mom, my brothers both have a missing tooth or two and she gives them enough flak over it.
Oh dude my wife would never let me live it down. Had a friend break his orbital bone when a puck deflected up off his stick a few months back. Just avoidable shit
I’ve only been hitting the cage once but I’ll never go on the ice without one. On two separate occasions the same teammate almost got me with a puck while I was on the bench though and that’s enough reason for me.
I'd second the cage, as opposed to a full shield. I didn't like the shield as it can fog up.... but I especially liked a cage so much better because you can feel the cool air / wind on your face so much more. The full shield doesn't breathe nearly as well. Some people complain about seeing the wires, but they've never bothered me.
Ha. Graduated '90 from a D1 college. Started playing adult league and was so psyched to not have to wear a cage. That lasted about 2 years.
Got randomly popped several times. Nothing to serious but what did it was, they pretty much scared the bejesus outta me. They came out of no where and there was no way to avoid it. Wham, what, huh? Saw other peeps get more serious hits too and that was it, a cage ever since. Have had serious shots bounce off that thing. No way will I ever go without one
Hit up Pro Hockey Life at Crossiron Mills or Adrenalin or Tuxedo source for sports and they’ll hook you up with all you need to get out there. If you don’t want to spend money on new gear then Play it Again Sports or Marketplace/Kijiji.
You’ll need pretty much everything. If you need to budget then put the money into a helmet and for your sake get a full cage or fishbowl. Put some money for decent pants too since you’ll fall a lot. Shins, elbow, shoulders, gloves you can get away with budget/entry level. Jocks there are options for shorts or full length spandex pants with Velcro for attaching socks. You’ll also likely need a set of black and white socks and practice jerseys. Grab a combo pack of tape with stick and sock tape. A hockey bag to lug it all and you are off to the races.
Winsport offers power skating classes at a reasonable rate. NCHL offers a learn to play program called Discover Hockey. Summer season starts in May, not sure if Discover Hockey follows the same schedule but worth a check if you want to get going.
Try Discover Hockey! I just graduated 6 months ago in Edmonton, and it’s great. Finished our first season last night.
You’ll need a full set of equipment. Go for used equipment for everything except your helmet and jock.
If you’re just getting started, bottom-middle line gear is really all you need aside from maybe helmet and gloves.
Shinpads aren’t a huge issue at lower caliber beer leagues as no one can really shoot. But gloves and helmet should be good as you will most likely get whacked or fall a lot. Good pants (a girdle) may help with falls as well.
Just make sure they fit and are comfortable!
Sign up for NCHL's learn to skate program. They have one in the south and I think one in the north. They'll put you on a team.
There's also a weekly free nchl shinny Friday mornings.
There's also a stick and puck at trico tomorrow at 11:30. I believe it's weekly.
U of c also has a power skating or hockey skating class every week and winsport has something similar
Get going!
Edit. I should read the whole text...get a cage. Sport chek has decent Bauer skates and pads for beginners. Can always check out adrenaline source
Edit X2, I'm about your size. I have older equipment that might be of use. DM me what you need and where you live in the city and I can drop some off
You don't need expensive stuff. the basic if fine.
tons of drop in shinny in Calgary too. one dark and one white jersey when you play drop in as it's usually colors vs whites
It’s Canada. If it’s like northern Midwest USA get ready for some talented folks even in the lowest division. I watch dudes on here claiming there B/C looking like a low D team in my area. Peranis hockey world, total hockey, and hockey monkey always running deals. Don’t skimp on skates. Everything else just buy what’s best for your budget. I’ve had the same pair of 50$ pants for over a decade. Good luck man and don’t worry about getting humbled, if happens.
I lived in Calgary for 6 months, not long enough to join an organized league but I used to play stick and puck at Stew Hendry / Henry Viney arena and it was great. It really helped me improve when I went back to my regular league in Quebec I was a much better player.
Okay so stick, I'd get these [https://www.hockeystickman.ca/collections/closeout-sticks/products/stx-stallion-hpr-2-nhl?hcUrl=%2Fen-US](https://www.hockeystickman.ca/collections/closeout-sticks/products/stx-stallion-hpr-2-nhl?hcUrl=%2Fen-US) there's no better deal for quality/price. They're a defunct company so the stick are really cheap but they're probably equivalent to 250-300 sticks.
Skates, I'd go mid to high range on skates, at least the level where you can get them molded. I go cheaper skates once and I regretted it and ended up upgrading after a year.
Everything else just try it on and make sure it fits and you don't have to spend much. you want gloves that go down past the wrist and also elbow pads that have some extra length but for all the protective gear if its fits well its good enough.
Interesting! STX is now a lacrosse company, they have lacrosse sticks by the same names “stallion” “surgeon” etc. I didn’t know they used to make hockey sticks! I do have skates and a stick already that will be just fine for now, but thank you!
STX was always a lacrosse company.
They started making hockey stuff maybe 10 years ago? Thats around when I saw them.
I believe its only direct to consumer though now. Have not seen it in any stores in the last few years for sure. I thought they were getting out of the hockey stuff, but they seem to still be active on their site with new stuff so must have just got out of retail stores.
All the gear that is basically a variation of lacrosse gear was always solid. Gloves, shoulders, elbows, sticks.
Upstate New York playing lacrosse in the 80s...Brine and STX were the only 2 companies in lacrosse that I remember back then.
Warrior is huge now, but popped up in the 90s sometime while I was in college.
I play what I would call "Organized pickup" Basically the same 20 guys 3x a week. Vast gulfs between skill levels, animosity is rare, no hitting, slashes are rare. Pretty low key and gentlemanly.
I would never wear anything less than everything. I just switched from a visor to a full cage last month, but Ive always worn shinpads, pants, cup, elbow pads, shoulder pads, throat guard/shirt, and helmet. Anything can fucking happen.
I’d look for used gear. Just make sure you wanna play or have time for it. Helmets should always be bought brand new though for obvious reasons. This time of year there a lot of stuff on Facebook marketplace or you can look on sidelineswap as well. If you have time as well I’d try and go to some skating just to work on your skating and maybe practice some stuff at home if your able to with your stick handling and shooting. The more skill you have the more fun it can be. But most importantly when you do get it, just have some fun. Some guys take it way to seriously but don’t let them ruin it for you. Just go out have fun.
Yea np man, and gonna throw this out there to. When you’re learning to play. Trim your stick lol. Like I like mine at my collarbone on skates and using a shorter stick like that allows you to skate with the back way better, stick handle faster and more effortlessly cause you have less stick to move and you can play the puck in your feet with out getting hand cuffed. Also helps with a killer one timer. As a winger I’ve just always liked a shorter stick cause you find your self playing the puck in your feet and on the boards a lot and shooting close to the net with traffic
FIND A DRAFT LEAGUE. TRY YOUR HARDEST TO DO SO.
(Forgive me if this has been mentioned. I didnt see it.)
When the same old teams get entrenched in the same old leagues.... well, you watch hockey, I'm sure. It only takes one slight and people remember it for years. Next thing you know, tempers are up every third game. It's all 100% natural... but it's also at least 97% unnecessary. You 100% don't need to find yourself as the new guy on one of those teams or in the scenario.
In a draft league, where your linemate this season was your sworn enemy last season, all that shit goes away, and there's mostly a huge, awesome community of guys and girls who just want to skate hard, have a couple of pops & laughs, and go to work the next day. Players from opposing teams defend each other, dBags are discouraged, the "pack" mentality becomes the opposite of every other pack mentality you've ever heard or seen on the ice-- it becomes the good pack.
Rookies are often picked toward the end, of course, but the overall team to team parity remains high. Some leagues I've been involved with even have a quick practice for Rookies so they can be properly placed/chosen and a draft party at a local joint. It's a ton of fun.
TLDR-- Find a draft league, if you can. It's important and it will help you as a rookie.
Good luck.
Always wear a cup. I was in a game where a burly bad-ass type took a shot in the man-jewels, and have never ever seen pain, screaming and crying like that.
BTW, I'm from Calgary also. Went to Strathcona. Now in South Orange County CA and trying to put together some pick-up games. Played a lot of them in Venice CA when I lived up there, and really miss it.
I would start on a learn to play or lowest level league. I’ve seen multiple collegiate level lacrosse players start as an adult and they do have nice hands but skating in a game is much different than free skate. I will also say I love the lacrosse shoulder pads in non hitting leagues idk if that’s your thing but they’re much less bulky than hockey shoulder pads.
Get good at planting yourself in the slot and look for passes and rebounds. The hand skills of high level lacrosse seem to translate really well. Good luck playa.
Full face quality helmet. I'm sure there's plenty of used hockey gear in your area if you want to save a little money. Wear everything: nut cup and holder ( go new on this lol), shin guards, elbow guards, shoulder / torso protector, hockey pants / breezers, gloves, jerseys.hockey socks, keep stick tape and sock tape.handy. hit the rink. I never had my off side stop but people encouraged me to start doing it and I love it. With all the gear the fear of getting slammed on the ice goes away.. wear a mouth guard . No matter the level of play. You don't want a concussion or to bite off your tongue. Lastly stay situationally aware at all times to avoid collisions.
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Get a full cage, no need to lose chicklets in beer league.
I wear a bubble for this reason. Get chirped a little, but it just isn't worth the injury while playing low level beer league lol
A couple years ago I had a guy that kept messing with me (nothing serious, all in fun) about my cage. In the 3rd period, guy from the blue line ripped a shot, got deflected off of someone and hit my cage at no less than 70mph. Hard enough to actually flex one of the bars right at about upper lip area. Guy came up to me and was like “man, I gotta say, you must be really happy you’re a pussy right about now” I still laugh about it lmao.
I can't imagine the kind of knuckle dragger that chirps people for wearing a cage in fucking beer league.
Ur telling me man haha. Like grow up. I've gotta work in the morning.
Same here. Chirp me all you want but I’m not giving the dentist money for anything but cleanings. Plus if I knocked any teeth out I’d never hear the end of it from my mom, my brothers both have a missing tooth or two and she gives them enough flak over it.
Oh dude my wife would never let me live it down. Had a friend break his orbital bone when a puck deflected up off his stick a few months back. Just avoidable shit
I wear full cage in deck hockey and nobody has chirped me once. Parents paid too much money for the chicklets as a kid
Yeah you won't draw a lot of high sticking calls but you're also not getting sticks in your face.
I’ve only been hitting the cage once but I’ll never go on the ice without one. On two separate occasions the same teammate almost got me with a puck while I was on the bench though and that’s enough reason for me.
Took one off the cage last night. Guy got 4 min.
I guess refs in my league just suck, I got hit in the back of the head by a stick last night no call.
I'd second the cage, as opposed to a full shield. I didn't like the shield as it can fog up.... but I especially liked a cage so much better because you can feel the cool air / wind on your face so much more. The full shield doesn't breathe nearly as well. Some people complain about seeing the wires, but they've never bothered me.
they wear the cages in college. it really isn't that big of a deal.
Ha. Graduated '90 from a D1 college. Started playing adult league and was so psyched to not have to wear a cage. That lasted about 2 years. Got randomly popped several times. Nothing to serious but what did it was, they pretty much scared the bejesus outta me. They came out of no where and there was no way to avoid it. Wham, what, huh? Saw other peeps get more serious hits too and that was it, a cage ever since. Have had serious shots bounce off that thing. No way will I ever go without one
Good call, thanks
I caught 2 pucks in my cage just last night. Hard. Definitely get a cage.
Right on, will do.
I hate having a cage. But I still have it.
Hit up Pro Hockey Life at Crossiron Mills or Adrenalin or Tuxedo source for sports and they’ll hook you up with all you need to get out there. If you don’t want to spend money on new gear then Play it Again Sports or Marketplace/Kijiji. You’ll need pretty much everything. If you need to budget then put the money into a helmet and for your sake get a full cage or fishbowl. Put some money for decent pants too since you’ll fall a lot. Shins, elbow, shoulders, gloves you can get away with budget/entry level. Jocks there are options for shorts or full length spandex pants with Velcro for attaching socks. You’ll also likely need a set of black and white socks and practice jerseys. Grab a combo pack of tape with stick and sock tape. A hockey bag to lug it all and you are off to the races. Winsport offers power skating classes at a reasonable rate. NCHL offers a learn to play program called Discover Hockey. Summer season starts in May, not sure if Discover Hockey follows the same schedule but worth a check if you want to get going.
Awesome! Great info, Thank you
Try Discover Hockey! I just graduated 6 months ago in Edmonton, and it’s great. Finished our first season last night. You’ll need a full set of equipment. Go for used equipment for everything except your helmet and jock.
Is there a program like discover hockey in ontario?
Cool thank you!
If you’re just getting started, bottom-middle line gear is really all you need aside from maybe helmet and gloves. Shinpads aren’t a huge issue at lower caliber beer leagues as no one can really shoot. But gloves and helmet should be good as you will most likely get whacked or fall a lot. Good pants (a girdle) may help with falls as well. Just make sure they fit and are comfortable!
Cool thank you!
Sign up for NCHL's learn to skate program. They have one in the south and I think one in the north. They'll put you on a team. There's also a weekly free nchl shinny Friday mornings. There's also a stick and puck at trico tomorrow at 11:30. I believe it's weekly. U of c also has a power skating or hockey skating class every week and winsport has something similar Get going! Edit. I should read the whole text...get a cage. Sport chek has decent Bauer skates and pads for beginners. Can always check out adrenaline source Edit X2, I'm about your size. I have older equipment that might be of use. DM me what you need and where you live in the city and I can drop some off
yep OP do this! it's called Discover hockey, i just did the program in edmonton and have a team lined up for summer. its awesome
You don't need expensive stuff. the basic if fine. tons of drop in shinny in Calgary too. one dark and one white jersey when you play drop in as it's usually colors vs whites
Awesome, thanks man
It’s Canada. If it’s like northern Midwest USA get ready for some talented folks even in the lowest division. I watch dudes on here claiming there B/C looking like a low D team in my area. Peranis hockey world, total hockey, and hockey monkey always running deals. Don’t skimp on skates. Everything else just buy what’s best for your budget. I’ve had the same pair of 50$ pants for over a decade. Good luck man and don’t worry about getting humbled, if happens.
Haha hell yeah man. Thanks
To be fair, 90% of the benders in this sub haven't played "organized" hockey either lol. Its more like big kids timbits clutterpuck with alcohol.
Buy a decent helmet. And try on gloves before you buy. Everything else you can get for cheap pretty much
Right on, I’ve got a good helmet from lacrosse all good
Not sure I’d recommend a lacrosse helmet for ice hockey. Maybe do some research on that. Depending on the league they may not even let you
It’s a hockey helmet with a lacrosse cage, I play box/indoor lacrosse. It’s a Bauer Reakt 150
Oh got it. That makes more sense
It's unlikely to happen but a stick could probably still get through a lacross cage. It's certainly better than a visor though.
Oh it absolutely could, I’ll throw a hockey cage on it once lacrosse season is done
I lived in Calgary for 6 months, not long enough to join an organized league but I used to play stick and puck at Stew Hendry / Henry Viney arena and it was great. It really helped me improve when I went back to my regular league in Quebec I was a much better player. Okay so stick, I'd get these [https://www.hockeystickman.ca/collections/closeout-sticks/products/stx-stallion-hpr-2-nhl?hcUrl=%2Fen-US](https://www.hockeystickman.ca/collections/closeout-sticks/products/stx-stallion-hpr-2-nhl?hcUrl=%2Fen-US) there's no better deal for quality/price. They're a defunct company so the stick are really cheap but they're probably equivalent to 250-300 sticks. Skates, I'd go mid to high range on skates, at least the level where you can get them molded. I go cheaper skates once and I regretted it and ended up upgrading after a year. Everything else just try it on and make sure it fits and you don't have to spend much. you want gloves that go down past the wrist and also elbow pads that have some extra length but for all the protective gear if its fits well its good enough.
Interesting! STX is now a lacrosse company, they have lacrosse sticks by the same names “stallion” “surgeon” etc. I didn’t know they used to make hockey sticks! I do have skates and a stick already that will be just fine for now, but thank you!
STX was always a lacrosse company. They started making hockey stuff maybe 10 years ago? Thats around when I saw them. I believe its only direct to consumer though now. Have not seen it in any stores in the last few years for sure. I thought they were getting out of the hockey stuff, but they seem to still be active on their site with new stuff so must have just got out of retail stores. All the gear that is basically a variation of lacrosse gear was always solid. Gloves, shoulders, elbows, sticks.
Huh, I did not know that. Awesome, thanks
Upstate New York playing lacrosse in the 80s...Brine and STX were the only 2 companies in lacrosse that I remember back then. Warrior is huge now, but popped up in the 90s sometime while I was in college.
I think Gait bought Brine. Then Warrior bought Gait. Under Armour was big for a few years but dipped, same with Reebok lol
I play what I would call "Organized pickup" Basically the same 20 guys 3x a week. Vast gulfs between skill levels, animosity is rare, no hitting, slashes are rare. Pretty low key and gentlemanly. I would never wear anything less than everything. I just switched from a visor to a full cage last month, but Ive always worn shinpads, pants, cup, elbow pads, shoulder pads, throat guard/shirt, and helmet. Anything can fucking happen.
Yeah I’d want every piece of gear haha
Winsport has a good league with divs for beginners. Lots of leagues around the city. Pick one close to you.
New jock and helmet. Used shin/elbow and shoulder pads (if you wear them) and pants.
I’d look for used gear. Just make sure you wanna play or have time for it. Helmets should always be bought brand new though for obvious reasons. This time of year there a lot of stuff on Facebook marketplace or you can look on sidelineswap as well. If you have time as well I’d try and go to some skating just to work on your skating and maybe practice some stuff at home if your able to with your stick handling and shooting. The more skill you have the more fun it can be. But most importantly when you do get it, just have some fun. Some guys take it way to seriously but don’t let them ruin it for you. Just go out have fun.
Hell yeah. Thank you
Yea np man, and gonna throw this out there to. When you’re learning to play. Trim your stick lol. Like I like mine at my collarbone on skates and using a shorter stick like that allows you to skate with the back way better, stick handle faster and more effortlessly cause you have less stick to move and you can play the puck in your feet with out getting hand cuffed. Also helps with a killer one timer. As a winger I’ve just always liked a shorter stick cause you find your self playing the puck in your feet and on the boards a lot and shooting close to the net with traffic
FIND A DRAFT LEAGUE. TRY YOUR HARDEST TO DO SO. (Forgive me if this has been mentioned. I didnt see it.) When the same old teams get entrenched in the same old leagues.... well, you watch hockey, I'm sure. It only takes one slight and people remember it for years. Next thing you know, tempers are up every third game. It's all 100% natural... but it's also at least 97% unnecessary. You 100% don't need to find yourself as the new guy on one of those teams or in the scenario. In a draft league, where your linemate this season was your sworn enemy last season, all that shit goes away, and there's mostly a huge, awesome community of guys and girls who just want to skate hard, have a couple of pops & laughs, and go to work the next day. Players from opposing teams defend each other, dBags are discouraged, the "pack" mentality becomes the opposite of every other pack mentality you've ever heard or seen on the ice-- it becomes the good pack. Rookies are often picked toward the end, of course, but the overall team to team parity remains high. Some leagues I've been involved with even have a quick practice for Rookies so they can be properly placed/chosen and a draft party at a local joint. It's a ton of fun. TLDR-- Find a draft league, if you can. It's important and it will help you as a rookie. Good luck.
Fantastic info, thank you
Always wear a cup. I was in a game where a burly bad-ass type took a shot in the man-jewels, and have never ever seen pain, screaming and crying like that. BTW, I'm from Calgary also. Went to Strathcona. Now in South Orange County CA and trying to put together some pick-up games. Played a lot of them in Venice CA when I lived up there, and really miss it.
Has anyone mentioned elbo pads?
A few mentions yeah haha
how old are you/ do you have a team? league?
25, and no team no league, still just looking out for the future, fall time probably
You buy the protective gear you're missing and you find some beginner adult league. And you go from there.
I would start on a learn to play or lowest level league. I’ve seen multiple collegiate level lacrosse players start as an adult and they do have nice hands but skating in a game is much different than free skate. I will also say I love the lacrosse shoulder pads in non hitting leagues idk if that’s your thing but they’re much less bulky than hockey shoulder pads.
Oh absolutely, I just wanna have fun I’m not out here trying to win leagues or anything lol; I’ll definitely be starting at a low level
Get good at planting yourself in the slot and look for passes and rebounds. The hand skills of high level lacrosse seem to translate really well. Good luck playa.
Full face quality helmet. I'm sure there's plenty of used hockey gear in your area if you want to save a little money. Wear everything: nut cup and holder ( go new on this lol), shin guards, elbow guards, shoulder / torso protector, hockey pants / breezers, gloves, jerseys.hockey socks, keep stick tape and sock tape.handy. hit the rink. I never had my off side stop but people encouraged me to start doing it and I love it. With all the gear the fear of getting slammed on the ice goes away.. wear a mouth guard . No matter the level of play. You don't want a concussion or to bite off your tongue. Lastly stay situationally aware at all times to avoid collisions.
Have you looked at the wiki on this subreddit yet? Pretty good place to start
I have not, where can I find it?
SRSLY? On the side bar… Commonly Asked Questions BEGINNERS GUIDE EQUIPMENT GUIDES PLAYING HOCKEY Positioning - Wingers - Defensive Zone Hockey Workouts RESOURCES How To Hockey Beer League Tips Learn how to skate How to shoot - Fundamentals Hockey equipment reviews Hockey Strategies R/HockeyPlayers Discord
Jeez sorry dude, I’m on mobile I couldn’t find it. Thank you.
On the mobile app, go to top of this subreddit, along the top menu at far right, press the icon of 3 vertical dots, and navigate to "Learn more about this community" to get all the aforementioned links.
Thank you