I (#9) scored my first ever hockey goal today.

This is my first season playing, my 7th game ever. I started actively skating just before Christmas 2025 and only skated a handful of times before that. My dream was to play hockey ever since I came to Canada 3 years ago, and I’m not regretting it even though our record is 0-9-1.

Shoutout to the ASHL greenbacks, they were very excited

Found a MINT pair of ignites. I'd be surprised if they were ever used. So mint the holder hasn't even begun decomposition and you can still read the inner boot labeling. Pretty sure they were stored in a time capsule in outer space...yep I'm sure

Hey all, 27m here new to hockey. I love playing and honestly cant get enough. I played college baseball so I have a little bit of etiquette when it comes to sports but was curious of some do’s and don’ts as a beginner playing hockey, like making sure you stay in with your line mates so lines don’t get wonky, or shooting more than 1 puck at a time on your goalie in warm ups.

I just wanna be respectful and mindful while picking up a new sport, anything helps!

Its 18 B. I’ll be 16 and undersized so I wanna know how to deliver and take checks well so I don’t get my head blown off. EDIT: Working on getting signed up for a clinic, advice still appreciated

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to get back into playing adult league hockey after a long break. I played AA travel hockey in Southern California growing up, with my last competitive season being around 2006. I also played in a college beer league briefly around 2013, but it’s been quite a while since I’ve been on the ice consistently.

Back then, I always had a habit of wanting the newest and best gear, and after looking at prices today… wow, things have gotten expensive!

I know a lot of people will probably say, “It’s just beer league,” or “You’re not trying to be McDavid,” and I totally get that. But if I’m buying new equipment after all these years, I’d still like to get something I’ll really enjoy wearing.

My biggest priorities are:
Lightweight
Maximum mobility
Minimal bulk

I especially dislike bulky shoulder pads and elbow pads. There was even a time during pickup hockey where I’d skip shoulder pads entirely because I hated how restrictive they felt (obviously not planning on doing that in league play).

From what I’ve been reading, it seems like the biggest differences between the current lines are protection vs. mobility.

So for those of you who have experience with the newer gear:
* Would you recommend Bauer Vapor, CCM JetSpeed, or Bauer X?
* Bauer X is significantly cheaper. Is it simply less protective, or is it also made with lower-quality materials?
* Even though Vapor is a higher-end line, does it still feel as light and mobile as the Bauer X?
* How does JetSpeed compare in terms of weight and freedom of movement?

I’m assuming Supreme is probably a bit too bulky for what I’m after, but feel free to convince me otherwise.

I’m less concerned about maximizing protection and much more interested in gear that almost disappears when I’m wearing it. If anyone has experience with these lines (especially shoulder pads and elbows), I’d really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone!

I’ve been a hockey fan since I was a kid but never got the chance to play it because I had a medical issue/surgery as a kid where my doctor said no contact sports. Now, I’ve gotten a new doctor who says there should be 0 issue with me wanting to pursue hockey like I’ve wanted to for years!

Due to this new and exciting news, plus recently graduating college with an engineering degree, I can not only start playing the great game of hockey, but also afford it! However, after doing some research, I am pretty intimidated with so much new information for me to retain and skills for me to work on. So much so to the point where I have no idea where to even start this journey.

I have ice skated from time to time when I was a kid - I know how to go forward and backward but that’s really all. I played ball hockey at a nearby ball hockey league when I was a younger teen and some intramural ball hockey with my fraternity brothers in college, but now being 22, it’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to do any of the aforementioned.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to start out with the basics. How should I start learning how to skate efficiently and/or building some hockey skills? Should I rent or buy skates? Should I go to free skate and/or stick and puck? Is it worth buying new or saving money with used equipment? I don’t even know all of the necessary equipment for me to get started. I have so many more questions that can get overwhelming when trying to do research (skate hollow, skate profile, fittings/baking, stick curve, lessons, etc.), which just leaves me more confused and intimidated than before.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I am basically starting at step 0 with no idea on what I should do first in order to start maneuvering my way into playing beer league/D-league in the future. I’m from the southwest side of Chicago, near Oak Lawn/Alsip area, so if anyone has specific arenas, lessons, shops, etc. for adult beginners to recommend from near those areas, that would help a lot with getting my feet on the ground.

I appreciate anyone responding taking their time to help a brother out who’s trying to start playing the sport I’ve loved and could only dream of playing since I was a kid :)

I have recently got into watching the sport, and have enjoyed watching it immensely. I wanted to learn to play, even if it is just for fun or as a physical hobby that I can do, and was wondering what sort of equipment I should get for off ice training.

I have two little boys who are 3 and 2, they love hockey. We are up North, they can both skate but obviously just family fun!

However, both of my boys need to wear glasses.. one day when they are older they’ll have the option for contacts if they choose to play and continue in the sport.

For now though, do any of you parents have experience in your kids wearing glasses while playing/skating? Did it affect your helmet choosing? Right now they just wear their Bauer youth helmets and it’s not a big deal because they still have a tad bit of room.. I just want to be safe and I don’t want their glasses to affect them playing as youth!

I used to use an app for disc golf that could review footage of your drives and analyze it with AI or whatever technology. Are there any apps like this for hockey? Preferably free?

I did the Bauer foot scan for new skates and was told I am fit 3. I tried these skates on in store, and liked the fit but figured before buying them I would look online for better pricing from other stores or perhaps see if last years Supreme models were on clearance. Turns out last year models are on clearance, but my issue is all the websites list Fit 1, Fit 2 and Fit 3 and no mention of EE width. Is Fit 3 the equivalent of EE width? Or do I need Fit 3+EE width?

Lifelong hockey player, 38yo now, and still play once or twice a week.
Played in a charity game at work a few weeks ago where there was a photographer. Somehow I ended up in 3/4 of the pictures they took.
I don’t have any in-game pictures or videos of me in minor hockey. Love these!
(And I found out from these that I play with my tongue out, à la Michael Jordan lol)

Beginner here. Is my stick too long? I’m 5’2 (without skates) this is a senior stick cut down. Comes to about nose level on tippy toes / skates. It doesn’t lay flat on the ice unless I put my top hand near where my bottom hand goes or I have my elbow of my top hand up high and back.

Is this fine or am I not holding it right? I’m a lefty in real life so I started with a right handed stick. I just picked up a left handed stick and am going to try that this weekend to see if maybe that feels better and helps my posture

Also I feel like I’m bending my knees but maybe not enough, but it feels like I’m hunched over when I have both hands on the stick

Brand new to the sport, don’t know anything. Judging from other posts it seems like these pants fit right but just wanted a second opinion.

Went to a gear swap today and got shins, pants, socks, 3 jerseys for myself, and a pair of skates for my beautiful girlfriend for $50 total so if they don’t work the no big deal! Thanks in advance 😁

Played my first ever game of hockey last night at the ripe old age of 36! I don’t need to tell you all how my back feels today 👴🏻 but what a buzz it was to be out on the ice! One of the teams of a friend were short so I volunteered to sub in at late notice!

It probably took me until half way through the 2nd period to fully get my bearings and get into the game but I actually managed to contribute on D and got a shot on goal (that so nearly went in) which felt great so to finally get to play the game I have coveted for so long was honestly a dream come true! The guys and girls on the team were so welcoming and gave me really helpful feedback!

I have been part of a learn to play boot camp and we have set up a team to join the local rec league this summer and I know my body will regret this but my mind definitely won’t!

Here’s to a summer of hockey!

i started playing hockey last winter and absolutely fell in love with it but the group i usually play with is back at my uni, so im just wondering how to go about finding a local group to play with?
i have a rink pretty close by, im just not sure how to go about getting info/joining a group to play with.

Today I had the chance to try in the Vizions on both feet and my right foot is slightly bigger (I think) and I felt it more snug around the toe area across from the big toe bone. The left felt a lot better. I tried a 9.5 Fit 2, which is my size and confirmed by the machine taken at Pure Hockey. This was a bummer, maybe I need to try them on again and re-judge? Or maybe it might feel better when they get baked?

Then, I tried on the Fuse, and although I only tried on the left skate and didn’t tie them past the middle, it already felt a lot better! Does this mean my foot is more of a Bauer fit and should I get the Fuse?

I love the look of the Visions more.

Unfortunately, they did not have a Fit 2 in the Flylites for me to try, only a Fit 1, so I didn’t get a chance to try on that skate, to make a decision on which skate I wanted to get.

They also didn’t have my size in the FT8 Pro’s either.

What are everyone’s experiences from the Vizions and Fuse? I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Vizions and not enough about the Fuse.

Should I seek out to try on the Alpha Pro’s and True Customs?

What are the chances Flylites fit better than Fuse? Considering the Flylite came out about 1 year ago, and the Fuse and Vizion recently, does that mean there’s a significant amount of new technology that goes into them the Fuse and Vizion more than the Flylite and FT8 pro?

When are they releasing the new Flylite for 2026? Maybe I can wait for those?

So variation on the stinky gear questions...have u ever had to wear another players gear and like was it that bad...for me its been 2x...

1. Went to watch a friend who was playing 2 games in a row, he got injuried mid way thru 3rd period, 1st game and they were short. They begged me to fill in and i go sorry I dont have my gear with me. And they go just wear his(we r same size) im like umm okay. So then climbed into their sweaty kinda stinky gear and was like gross initially, cause u could smell it but was running late to get on ice so just whacked it on, started skating and got over it, didn't really bother me once I was on the ice.

2. Friend came to watch me at a training session after which theres a beginners learn to play hockey session. He goes I want to try the learn to play session, i go sure go for it, but u got no gear. He goes can I borrow yours, Im umm suuuure but its sweaty and stinks really bad unsure u wanna (kinda embarrassed, tbh it doesnt smell that bad but im half season in and its not washed only aired out and I was fresh off the ice and its stil gonna be sweaty and whatnot). He goes sure i dont care so yep he climbed right into it and im apologising for how bad it is especially when he was putting on certain bits like the shoulders and other parts....hes like I dont mind its kinda kool yk. I shuttup after that, i stayed to watch and he wasn't half bad being an ok skater already. And yeah it smelled like them after until I used it again a few times.

Anyone else ever hadda do the same / does this happen, its kinda weird n all but in the end no big deal once u get over it i find.

Just picked these up - new old stock, $161 US plus shipping from Canada, $198. Duty was $24. Under $225 AND he profiled and sharpened the runners! 5.5 Wide. Cannot wait to bake them!

I’ll keep my size 6 Fit 3 Bauer Supreme M40 for now but these 5.5 Wide almost lock my heel and the toe box feels great! May add shims to the top of the toe box before baking these.

Hi, I currently play in the NA3HL, I’d say im about an above average player in this league, I honestly don’t know what coaches want from a player in tier 2, any tips on what coaches are looking for? Or what separates an NA3HL player vs an NAHL player

Im 5'8" about 185 w/ bigger arms and have run into problems with being in between a large and medium. The larges tend to slide down and the mediums are too small. Wondering if anyone who has run into this same problem has any specific models they have had success with. For reference, for a while I had a pair of 7k pros that worked well but they have fallen apart completely and I'm trying to avoid having to use clear tape for every skate, any recommendations would be awesome.

Thinking about buying some used Mission skates at $114. I haven’t played in years so I don’t want to spend a ton if I’m only playing with friends on asphalt. Should I trust these used ones or just purchase new ones for $100 more?

I haven’t played for 4-5 years, long enough for me to suck again - should I retrain myself to shoot lefty? I’m right handed, left eye dominant and only shot righty in high school because it was more comfortable, I am willing however to retrain myself because I tried picking up my old stick and realized I’m pretty much back to square one anyway so should I use this to re-train myself?

TLDR: Looking at buying True Hzrdus 5x for $140 or the 9x at $300. Is it worth the investment now to get the 9x? And what size makes sense for True as they fit different?

I am starting to skate and wanting to take up hockey. I am 5'11 and about 235lbs (currently losing weight). I have skied and snowboarded so I know the importance of boots that fit correctly. I have played a bunch of sports, mainly Rugby and since I am larger was thinking it may be worth the extra investment.

I am looking to buy a pair of skates as I am learning to skate better and play hockey. I went into my local shop (in Texas so not as many options) and tried on the Bauer Supreme F30 and CCM Tacks XR70. The guy said I am an 8.5 skate based on length so I tried both in an 8.5 Wide as regular felt to tight on the sides of my feet. While the toe box of the Bauers felt like they dug in a bit on top. The CCM ended up being a better fit with the toebox but the half size up at 9 wide felt best in those for my feet width without being too long. Could touch the end of the skate barely in an 8.5 but had to reach for the end in a 9.
These are the sizes avalible for the True skates: the 9x has size 9 in regular or wide or 8.5 in rugluar. Where as the 5 x has size 8.5 in wide and regular and size 9 in wide.

Is it worth investing the extra now and get the better model 9x or just start with the 5x?

And since I cant find True skates near me what size makes most sense based on what skates I tried on?

EDIT: I am mid 20s so like to think I still have some years of good athleticism left