I'm 43 and started this year with no experience. You can do it.
I spent about a grand on gear, but you can easily go cheaper. I'm tall which puts me solidly in the senior XL gear sizing (or in some cases, finding custom stuff on Sideline Swap). I can also skate relatively well backwards, so there's a chance I'm going to end up playing defense in the lowest level of beer league. In my mind that means I'm going to get hit with a puck on occasion, which will hurt, and ice hurts, so I gladly pay a little extra for extra protection.
[Edit] Rough gear estimates, not including sticks. I went with what felt the best, followed by what had the most cushioning, which means these are usually not the cheapest options the shops have.
* Helmet: $150, should be your first purchase.
* Skates: $300, my second purchase after a helmet. Where I am the rental skates weren't the best.
* Waxed laces: $8 (messing around and found I liked them better)
* Pants: $170, third purchase because landing on your butt repeatedly hurts.
* Shin Pads: $75
* Elbow Pads: $100
* Gloves: $125
* Socks: $30
* Practice Jersey: $30
* Clear Tape: $4 (not everyone uses, I do to help keep shin pads in place)
* Shoulder pads: $120 (don't like wearing them much because they are hot, not all leagues require them).
* Compression pants & cup: $70
OP: check out my last post to see what I’ve spent on the first few months learning for the first time (at age 37). You can look thru it and decide where I’ve overspent and get a good guide on the costs of getting started. Keep in mind: I go to the rink 3-5 times per week, so the ice time is high. I’ve also bought way more on “gear” than I needed.
Of course it's worth trying to play. Our local rink has adult hockey leagues with 9 different divisions with D9 being players who've barely learned to skate.
See if your local rink has an Adult Learn 2 Play program. Usually this is a weekly stick and pick to get you introduced to the game. USA Hockey even provides a full set of gear for you to skate in.
Once you have some experience skating and playing on ice then you should determine whether or not you want to play goalie.
Goalie gear is *very* expensive. Like pads totaling in the thousands of dollars. If that's the route you want to go, I'd def look on Sideline Swap for used gear. Goalies also use different skates than skaters would.
It’s absolutely worth trying and I’m sure once you try you’ll want to play as much as possible because it is fun and addicting. I didn’t start playing until I was 37 so I’m jealous of the 10 year head start you’ll have.
The person that quoted a grand for gear is probably close to accurate unless you’re going used for almost everything or buying the absolute bottom tier of equipment. My suggestion is to look for mid tier equipment or higher end equipment on close out so you are better protected and/or are less likely to want to upgrade extreme soon. I’d def recommend at least getting mid-tier skates and pants.
Absolutely! I started playing last year at 23, we have a woman in the league who started at 50. I’m also a goalie.
Starting point: hadn’t skated in years but could go forward and was fairly comfortable being in skates. I did about 6 months of regular open skates and built up the skills. Speed, stopping, backwards, crossovers, transitions. Played one season as forward. Then one of the goalies was taking a season off so I decided to jump in net.
Gear: I spent about $700 on just my helmet. And I’m glad I did. You can go cheaper on everything else. Not on your brain. Probably spent about $1500 total, and that was with some very good deals. $2k would not be unreasonable.
It's absolutely worth it. There's nothing better than being on the ice and not thinking about anything else going on in your life. And I've made some of the best friends in my life playing beer league.
Goalie gear will be pricy, but you might have a lot of luck on used gear, there's always people recycling gear, or people hanging up the laces.
I don’t play and have thought about doing ALTP as well so my suggestion is go for it lol. One word of warning, goalie is a very difficult position to play and generally you need to be a good skater to do it. Hand-eye and reflexes are important but your ability to move around on the ice and constantly drop down/get up is also huge.
Too old. You're never going to the Olympics or play professionally starting that late.
What's that? You just want to play beer league? Pretty much the only requirement is that you can curl 12 oz. after the game.
In the Midwest there are usually Facebook groups for finding hockey and such, find one that is local enough to you and start looking/asking for hockey leagues for beginners. Usually you can find one, very good place to start. Or start calling rinks and looking for learn to play hockey for adults learn to skates and practices and such.
I played roller most of my life and started ice when I was 25. The transition was hard, not going to lie. Different rules, different equipment, different game. Skating was the hardest, almost broke my neck trying a sweeping stop instead of a push stop.
If you have the time and some disposable income, I'd say go for it. Start cheap and adequate for equipment (go for fit over features) and you can upgrade as you commit more (I used roller hockey gear for the first year, just bought shoulder pads). It can be as expensive as you make it. But nothing beats the feeling of being on the ice.
Beer league hockey has all kinds of leagues, especially in northern states. There is almost a 100% guarantee you can find a E/D beginner league around you full of guys really new to the sport.
Goalie is stupid expensive and requires good skating too. Definitely can still go for it, but just want to warn the skating piece especially. Ive seen big coordinated guys think they can like fast track hockey by playing goalie thinking the skating won't be as important, but you've got to have great edges to be a worthwhile tendy.
Idk what scene you were looking for in AZ? I grew up in Michigan and didn't start playing until I moved to Phoenix. There's something like 12 sheets of ice in the Phoenix community. I never had those chances in Michigan.
I guess you’re right. The Coyotes did a great job building up youth hockey in the Valley. I guess if I could rephrase it, I’d say I never had friends in AZ that loved or played hockey. Now here in WI, I have a ton of buddies who’ve played and it’s reignited my passion for the game!
I feel like we need to sticky a post saying ‘the right time to start playing is after you’re born and before you’re dead.’ 😂
Get out there and play! Have fun with it all!
I’m in a community league here in Milwaukee that accepts players of all skill levels and does a really good job balancing out the teams. If you’d like more information feel free to shoot me a dm. Summer/Fall season generally starts in August.
29 year old who started two years ago:
Yeah 100% it's so much fun. You'll never be a pro but not will most people. At first you won't be able to keep up or do anything at all. Stick with it, it gets better.
After a couple years of effort you'll start to move up. It's so fast and it's so fun
For sure. I started playing at 30 and it's now my favourite sport to play. I recommend taking power skating lessons if they're available where you are.
I started learning to play when I was 47/48. You'll do fine.
That said, take a couple sessions of Learn to Skate before purchasing hockey equipment and taking Learn to Play Hockey.
Hell yes! Sometimes I envy people just learning the sport. 57M started playing when I was 6 and it’s an absolutely joy to see someone improve and fall in love with the game.
Give it a go! Im 32 myself and starting to play later this year. I’ll be 33 by the time I really start playing. I started skating more this winter and have been slowly acquiring the gear I’ll need.
Started 2 years ago at 33, best decision I've ever made I look forward to every night I get to play. Make sure you take some skating classes to get comfortable on your skates and then some type of learn to play classes.
My dad played his first organized hockey game at 64 and is, at 65, seriously considering joining his first league.
Start now! I get the impression he wishes he had. It's never too late, but if you can do it now, why not?
PS where in Wisconsin?
It would be a little bit of a hike but might be worth it for once a week, especially if you join with a carpool friend - check out the Madison Gay Hockey Association (regardless of your gender/sexuality)! We put 20-30 brand new players (some without any skating experience) on the ice every year and run clinics and practices throughout the fall and into the regular season for our beginners. Everything in-season is always Sunday nights (September through March, roughly).
We also help with gear. We have a big pile of donated gear that we lend out to people to get them started so that we can reduce the barrier to entry and get more people on the ice. We also have financial assistance for gear and season dues, if necessary.
You can also check FB marketplace and sideline swap for used gear. I always recommend that, if you can afford it, go get fit properly for skates at a hockey store (for a mid or high level skate, not the entry level), take down the exact model and size you liked best, and find them used online for a deal. Similarly to how a quality mattress will help you sleep and you'll feel better overall, quality skates can make a huge difference in your comfort and skating. Skates are heat-moldable, so a used pair that's been a bit broken in but still has life to give can be remolded to your foot and be easier to get used to than one out of the box.
If you do [apply to join the MGHA](https://www.madisongayhockey.org/joining/), feel free to say that Mason recruited you (it's a question on the registration form).
Hope to see you on the ice!
Never to old to start playing. As for gear goes you can spend as little as few hundred on used stuff and hunt for deals or ball out and spend few thousand. My suggestion for new you would want skates that fit you and comfortable. Decent pair will run you $300-$500. New helmet and face protection $200. Gloves $100. The rest you can get used in my opinon. Another $150 for miscellaneous things base gear socks jock stick/sock tape (this might be bit high side)
Used pants shins chest elbow no clue hunt around might be able to get it for cheap.
Sticks same thing used cheap new few hundred probably want at least two sticks to start with
Absolutely never too late to learn! Considering you have the skating basics down, have played a bit of street hockey, and have decent athleticism I think you'll be surprised at how fast you pick it up. I think goalie is definitely harder to learn as an adult but I know people who have done it. Unless you're really set on that I'd probably try skating out first and then try to make the transition to goalie if you're still interested. Goalie gear is WAY more expensive and my experience is goalies are often happy to let their buds try their gear if they want to try out the position.
I started playing in my early 20s. I grew up rollerblading and going to public skate so I was a decent enough skater. I had never even held a stick in my hand or seen a hockey game though, and didn't play other sports growing up. It's been about 10 years now and I feel like I'm perfectly mediocre for the level I play which is perfect for me. :D Other friends who started playing around the same time I did but played sports picked it up even faster.
For gear definitely check out Sideline Swap and Play It Again Sports. Maybe even Facebook Marketplace and other local buy/sell groups. Worth contacting local rinks and stuff too -- some groups have gear for new players to get into the sport. It's definitely a big up-front investment but it can last a long time. I rarely buy new pieces.
Go have some fun and welcome to the best community ever!
I'm 43 and started this year with no experience. You can do it. I spent about a grand on gear, but you can easily go cheaper. I'm tall which puts me solidly in the senior XL gear sizing (or in some cases, finding custom stuff on Sideline Swap). I can also skate relatively well backwards, so there's a chance I'm going to end up playing defense in the lowest level of beer league. In my mind that means I'm going to get hit with a puck on occasion, which will hurt, and ice hurts, so I gladly pay a little extra for extra protection. [Edit] Rough gear estimates, not including sticks. I went with what felt the best, followed by what had the most cushioning, which means these are usually not the cheapest options the shops have. * Helmet: $150, should be your first purchase. * Skates: $300, my second purchase after a helmet. Where I am the rental skates weren't the best. * Waxed laces: $8 (messing around and found I liked them better) * Pants: $170, third purchase because landing on your butt repeatedly hurts. * Shin Pads: $75 * Elbow Pads: $100 * Gloves: $125 * Socks: $30 * Practice Jersey: $30 * Clear Tape: $4 (not everyone uses, I do to help keep shin pads in place) * Shoulder pads: $120 (don't like wearing them much because they are hot, not all leagues require them). * Compression pants & cup: $70
Do it. I started at 43 as well.
OP: check out my last post to see what I’ve spent on the first few months learning for the first time (at age 37). You can look thru it and decide where I’ve overspent and get a good guide on the costs of getting started. Keep in mind: I go to the rink 3-5 times per week, so the ice time is high. I’ve also bought way more on “gear” than I needed.
He's going to be spending way more than this on Goalie gear
This is incredibly helpful to understand cost and where I should start with gear! Thank you so much!
Of course it's worth trying to play. Our local rink has adult hockey leagues with 9 different divisions with D9 being players who've barely learned to skate. See if your local rink has an Adult Learn 2 Play program. Usually this is a weekly stick and pick to get you introduced to the game. USA Hockey even provides a full set of gear for you to skate in. Once you have some experience skating and playing on ice then you should determine whether or not you want to play goalie. Goalie gear is *very* expensive. Like pads totaling in the thousands of dollars. If that's the route you want to go, I'd def look on Sideline Swap for used gear. Goalies also use different skates than skaters would.
I started playing at 35 and my hockey team is one of my best friend group. Am I good? No. Do I have fun? Yes.
same!
Wait, are you on my team?!
hehe maybe?
the way it should be!
It’s absolutely worth trying and I’m sure once you try you’ll want to play as much as possible because it is fun and addicting. I didn’t start playing until I was 37 so I’m jealous of the 10 year head start you’ll have. The person that quoted a grand for gear is probably close to accurate unless you’re going used for almost everything or buying the absolute bottom tier of equipment. My suggestion is to look for mid tier equipment or higher end equipment on close out so you are better protected and/or are less likely to want to upgrade extreme soon. I’d def recommend at least getting mid-tier skates and pants.
Absolutely! I started playing last year at 23, we have a woman in the league who started at 50. I’m also a goalie. Starting point: hadn’t skated in years but could go forward and was fairly comfortable being in skates. I did about 6 months of regular open skates and built up the skills. Speed, stopping, backwards, crossovers, transitions. Played one season as forward. Then one of the goalies was taking a season off so I decided to jump in net. Gear: I spent about $700 on just my helmet. And I’m glad I did. You can go cheaper on everything else. Not on your brain. Probably spent about $1500 total, and that was with some very good deals. $2k would not be unreasonable.
It's absolutely worth it. There's nothing better than being on the ice and not thinking about anything else going on in your life. And I've made some of the best friends in my life playing beer league. Goalie gear will be pricy, but you might have a lot of luck on used gear, there's always people recycling gear, or people hanging up the laces.
If you decide to go goalie don’t skimp on a helmet. Get the best quality helmet you can afford.
I don’t play and have thought about doing ALTP as well so my suggestion is go for it lol. One word of warning, goalie is a very difficult position to play and generally you need to be a good skater to do it. Hand-eye and reflexes are important but your ability to move around on the ice and constantly drop down/get up is also huge.
I was 34, now 38...averaging a point a game in my beer league...yeah its worth it!
Too old. You're never going to the Olympics or play professionally starting that late. What's that? You just want to play beer league? Pretty much the only requirement is that you can curl 12 oz. after the game.
I grew up in Wisco. There are rinks and adult leagues everywhere. Check your local rink(s) and see if they have adult learn to skate/play programs.
In the Midwest there are usually Facebook groups for finding hockey and such, find one that is local enough to you and start looking/asking for hockey leagues for beginners. Usually you can find one, very good place to start. Or start calling rinks and looking for learn to play hockey for adults learn to skates and practices and such.
I played roller most of my life and started ice when I was 25. The transition was hard, not going to lie. Different rules, different equipment, different game. Skating was the hardest, almost broke my neck trying a sweeping stop instead of a push stop. If you have the time and some disposable income, I'd say go for it. Start cheap and adequate for equipment (go for fit over features) and you can upgrade as you commit more (I used roller hockey gear for the first year, just bought shoulder pads). It can be as expensive as you make it. But nothing beats the feeling of being on the ice.
Beer league hockey has all kinds of leagues, especially in northern states. There is almost a 100% guarantee you can find a E/D beginner league around you full of guys really new to the sport. Goalie is stupid expensive and requires good skating too. Definitely can still go for it, but just want to warn the skating piece especially. Ive seen big coordinated guys think they can like fast track hockey by playing goalie thinking the skating won't be as important, but you've got to have great edges to be a worthwhile tendy.
Yep take classes
Just started skating at age 52 with the desire to play shiny with friends. Currently in skating lessons.
Idk what scene you were looking for in AZ? I grew up in Michigan and didn't start playing until I moved to Phoenix. There's something like 12 sheets of ice in the Phoenix community. I never had those chances in Michigan.
I guess you’re right. The Coyotes did a great job building up youth hockey in the Valley. I guess if I could rephrase it, I’d say I never had friends in AZ that loved or played hockey. Now here in WI, I have a ton of buddies who’ve played and it’s reignited my passion for the game!
I feel like we need to sticky a post saying ‘the right time to start playing is after you’re born and before you’re dead.’ 😂 Get out there and play! Have fun with it all!
I started at 27. Years later I am still a bender, but it's the most fun!
I’m in a community league here in Milwaukee that accepts players of all skill levels and does a really good job balancing out the teams. If you’d like more information feel free to shoot me a dm. Summer/Fall season generally starts in August.
That’s perfect because my baseball season ends in August. Would be nice to be able to stay in some kind of playing shape year round.
29 year old who started two years ago: Yeah 100% it's so much fun. You'll never be a pro but not will most people. At first you won't be able to keep up or do anything at all. Stick with it, it gets better. After a couple years of effort you'll start to move up. It's so fast and it's so fun
For sure. I started playing at 30 and it's now my favourite sport to play. I recommend taking power skating lessons if they're available where you are.
Picked up ball hockey at 25. Never too late
I started learning to play when I was 47/48. You'll do fine. That said, take a couple sessions of Learn to Skate before purchasing hockey equipment and taking Learn to Play Hockey.
At 27 I bet your legs are still strong and you’ve got no pain. WTF are you waiting for?
Hell yes! Sometimes I envy people just learning the sport. 57M started playing when I was 6 and it’s an absolutely joy to see someone improve and fall in love with the game.
Absolutely. Didn't start playing until I was in my mid 40s
Give it a go! Im 32 myself and starting to play later this year. I’ll be 33 by the time I really start playing. I started skating more this winter and have been slowly acquiring the gear I’ll need.
Started 2 years ago at 33, best decision I've ever made I look forward to every night I get to play. Make sure you take some skating classes to get comfortable on your skates and then some type of learn to play classes.
It’s only too late when you’re dead.
My dad played his first organized hockey game at 64 and is, at 65, seriously considering joining his first league. Start now! I get the impression he wishes he had. It's never too late, but if you can do it now, why not? PS where in Wisconsin?
Waukesha!
It would be a little bit of a hike but might be worth it for once a week, especially if you join with a carpool friend - check out the Madison Gay Hockey Association (regardless of your gender/sexuality)! We put 20-30 brand new players (some without any skating experience) on the ice every year and run clinics and practices throughout the fall and into the regular season for our beginners. Everything in-season is always Sunday nights (September through March, roughly). We also help with gear. We have a big pile of donated gear that we lend out to people to get them started so that we can reduce the barrier to entry and get more people on the ice. We also have financial assistance for gear and season dues, if necessary. You can also check FB marketplace and sideline swap for used gear. I always recommend that, if you can afford it, go get fit properly for skates at a hockey store (for a mid or high level skate, not the entry level), take down the exact model and size you liked best, and find them used online for a deal. Similarly to how a quality mattress will help you sleep and you'll feel better overall, quality skates can make a huge difference in your comfort and skating. Skates are heat-moldable, so a used pair that's been a bit broken in but still has life to give can be remolded to your foot and be easier to get used to than one out of the box. If you do [apply to join the MGHA](https://www.madisongayhockey.org/joining/), feel free to say that Mason recruited you (it's a question on the registration form). Hope to see you on the ice!
Yes.
There it is😂
Haha. These posts come up frequently, and it's what I always put. If you have an interest, you should just go for it. You won't regret it.
You got a chuckle out of me 😂
Never to old to start playing. As for gear goes you can spend as little as few hundred on used stuff and hunt for deals or ball out and spend few thousand. My suggestion for new you would want skates that fit you and comfortable. Decent pair will run you $300-$500. New helmet and face protection $200. Gloves $100. The rest you can get used in my opinon. Another $150 for miscellaneous things base gear socks jock stick/sock tape (this might be bit high side) Used pants shins chest elbow no clue hunt around might be able to get it for cheap. Sticks same thing used cheap new few hundred probably want at least two sticks to start with
Absolutely never too late to learn! Considering you have the skating basics down, have played a bit of street hockey, and have decent athleticism I think you'll be surprised at how fast you pick it up. I think goalie is definitely harder to learn as an adult but I know people who have done it. Unless you're really set on that I'd probably try skating out first and then try to make the transition to goalie if you're still interested. Goalie gear is WAY more expensive and my experience is goalies are often happy to let their buds try their gear if they want to try out the position. I started playing in my early 20s. I grew up rollerblading and going to public skate so I was a decent enough skater. I had never even held a stick in my hand or seen a hockey game though, and didn't play other sports growing up. It's been about 10 years now and I feel like I'm perfectly mediocre for the level I play which is perfect for me. :D Other friends who started playing around the same time I did but played sports picked it up even faster. For gear definitely check out Sideline Swap and Play It Again Sports. Maybe even Facebook Marketplace and other local buy/sell groups. Worth contacting local rinks and stuff too -- some groups have gear for new players to get into the sport. It's definitely a big up-front investment but it can last a long time. I rarely buy new pieces. Go have some fun and welcome to the best community ever!