Category: Hockey

Categories
Featured Hockey Hockey 101

Travel or House League Hockey: A Helpful Guide to Choosing the Right Team

The months leading up to the start of the hockey season can be stressful for families who are deciding whether their child will play travel league or house league hockey. Since travel hockey can be more demanding on the player and on the parents when cost and time is considered, the decision must be made as a family. There are many aspects to consider before coming to any conclusion.  The list below can act as a helpful guide through the decision-making process:

  1. Player’s desire to play and passion for the game
  2. Financial cost
  3. Amount of travel required
  4. Playing environment

Player’s desire and passion for the game

The young player in your family must express a strong desire and passion to play hockey at a competitive level before even considering travel hockey. In many cases, a player might love the game, but might just enjoy playing for fun, on a recreational team. The important thing is to never pressure your child into playing travel hockey. Just because a parent enjoyed playing a more competitive level of hockey, does not mean that the child will want to follow in those footsteps.  Players will need to commit a lot of time, and mental and physical energy to the team, which might require sacrificing other hobbies and sports. With long hours of practice, showing up early before games, and additional training, playing travel hockey is a full commitment.

Financial cost

In comparison to other sports, hockey can already be more expensive. Whether playing house league or travel hockey, players are required to purchase skates, sticks, pads and team uniforms. However, travel teams can come with even more costs. Registration costs will be higher for travel leagues since the team will have more ice time for practice and training, and there will be costs associated with distance games. Other costs can include tryout fees and matching team gear, such as bags, helmets and training uniforms. Before signing up for tryouts, be sure to confirm with the team about any additional costs beyond playing fees.

Amount of time and travel required

When a player joins a travel team, he or she commits to attending practices, training and games. Ice time is much more frequent than house league hockey, so parents are expected to make sure that their child attends each team event. This also will include traveling to away games and tournaments. Committing the time involved in the team can also be difficult if your family is juggling other schedules of siblings in different sports and activities.  Still, in some cases, house league hockey can also require some travel to neighboring communities when there are not enough teams in the local area.

Playing environment

There are pros and cons to the playing environments of both travel league hockey and house league hockey.  It is important to determine which environment your player and family wants to be involved in.

Travel hockey is a higher level of competition. It is more physically demanding and tougher mentally for the youth players to earn a spot on the ice. However, the teams often have more qualified coaches that offer better training and skill development.  Travel hockey requires tryouts to play on the team (17 players total; 3 forward lines, 6 defensemen, 2 goalies), so the players risk being cut and the disappointment that can follow. The coaches of a travel team can also limit play time depending on the player’s performance, so the players need to work hard to earn that time.

In contrast, if you are looking for a fun, recreational experience without added pressure on the player, house league is the better option. House league welcomes all players and offers equal playing time to each team member. House league hockey offers a community that allows the player to learn the skills of hockey as well as the positive characteristics of being a part of a team.  House league is also a great environment to develop skills and practice for travel tryouts for the following season if your child does not make the team he or she hoped for.

Travel Hockey or House League

Each of these factors should be considered before making a decision to play travel hockey or house league.  As a recap, here are four questions that can help your family find the league that is best:

  1. What is your child’s level of desire to play and passion about hockey?
  2. Can your family afford the additional costs?
  3. Can your family commit time and miles to travel?
  4. What environment and learning experience do you want for your child?
Categories
Featured Hockey Hockey 101

Youth Hockey Team Fundraising

Hockey Fundraising

As hockey tryouts approach, every parent is faced with the costs of the expensive sport.  Expenses can include registration, ice time, travel and accommodations for tournaments and away games, on-ice gear (helmets, skates, jerseys, sticks, pads, socks, shorts), bags, and off-ice training uniforms.  In many cases, hard-working families and single parents have to face the fact that these costs may dictate whether or not their child gets to play.  Fortunately, fundraising is an excellent game plan to bring in more money for the team and to help offset expenses.

Fundraising has provided youth with an opportunity to participate in community sports and activities for years.  There are two fundamental approaches to fundraising: the first is through corporate or small business sponsorship and support, and the second is through community activities and events.

Sponsorship

Company names can be found on jerseys and on the boards and walls at the rinks, showcasing sponsorships from local or corporate businesses that support youth hockey.  These sponsorships can be approached at the organizational, team, or parental level.  Sponsorships at the organizational level help to cover major costs that can relieve some of the upfront expenses for parents and players.  However, teams can take their fundraising further by brainstorming a list of local businesses that might support the team and reaching out with a proposal.

Do not forget to keep supporting companies updated throughout the season and to send a thank you at the end explaining how their contribution has helped. It is important that the company knows that their support is appreciated and worthwhile; this will also help to encourage returning sponsors for the following season. If a company is not willing to provide financial support, they may be able to offer support in other ways such as through donations for raffle items, or donations of their services.

Community Activities & Events

The ideas for community activities and events are endless. They can be effective in generating an income for the team, but also as opportunities for team bonding. Here is a list of ideas and examples:

  • Sales: Bake sale, Community garage sale, Lemonade stand, Craft sale
  • Sell tickets to dinner events: Spaghetti dinner, Chilli cook-off, Fish bake, Pancake breakfast/dinner
  • Game night: Trivia, Bowling, Poker
  • Tournaments: Baseball, Golf
  • Create a team product to sell: T-shirts, Calendars, Cookbooks
  • Intermission activities: 50/50 raffle tickets, “Chuck-a-puck”
  • Raffles (ask for product donations from parents and local businesses)
  • Car wash (When it’s warm!)
  • Bottle/Can drive

Successful Fundraising

Fundraising is most successful when the whole team is involved, including kids, parents, and coaches.  Not every parent can dedicate time and not every parent can donate money, but every parent can be involved in some way. There are many roles that can add value to the team, so make sure to offer many options and to be appreciative of any help that can be brought to the table. Here are some ways to get involved:

  • Fundraising committee: Parents who can commit to the time involved in planning and organizing fundraising initiatives.
  • Sponsorship team: Parents who can reach out to local businesses for support.
  • Volunteers: Coaches, parents and players who can volunteer time at fundraising events.
  • Financial contributors: Parents who can donate funds.
  • Other contributors: Parents who can cook, bake, or donate other resources (ex: soap for the car wash, raffle items, etc.).

Remember to keep the kids involved in every area with some responsibility. After all, it is for them.

Categories
Featured Hockey Hockey 101

99 Common Hockey Terms: Getting Familiar

Ice hockey positions
Ice Hockey Positions

99 Common Hockey Terms: Getting Familiar with Hockey

Starting a new sport can sometimes feel like learning a new language. Some terms may already be common, like Zamboni (the machine used to prepare a new sheet of ice before a game or between periods), or stickhandling (to control the puck along the ice). Other terms may sound completely foreign, such as an Odd Man Rush (when the number of offensive players heading into the attacking zone is greater than the number of defender), or ragging the puck (when a player kills of penalty time against his time by circling back towards his own goal while in possession of the puck).  Lack of communication between players and coaches can cause delays and challenges on the ice, but clear communication can take a team to victory.  Get familiar with the language of hockey using the directory below.

Find great local coaches on Travelsports here!

Continue reading “99 Common Hockey Terms: Getting Familiar”
Categories
Hockey

A Bright Future for Women’s Hockey

Girls playing hockey

Ice hockey has always been a male-dominated sport. This is common in most sports, but unlike tennis, soccer, or basketball, the aggressiveness, speed, and physicality are raised to another level in hockey. Perhaps, these are the reasons why it has taken longer for women to gravitate toward hockey when choosing a sport or extracurricular activity.

Today girls can get involved in hockey just like boys. Most communities offer learn-to-skate groups for toddlers and pre-schoolers at local rinks and then co-ed hockey at the primary age. Of course, as your child gets older, the question arises: “should your daughter play on a girls’ or boys’ team?”

In the past, girls played on boys’ teams by default because there were not enough female youth players to make up a full team or league. Unfortunately, it was common that as kids got older, the girls would drop out of hockey because they did not have many options to advance to. Now, with more girls playing, they have more options than ever before.

Girls who play hockey

Traditionally, figure skating was always a popular choice for young girls; the boys in the family would play hockey, and the girls would learn to figure skate. While there are many benefits to figure skating, there are additional team-building benefits that come from playing hockey. Hockey also adds to the options for female athletes who want to stay active in the winter. In addition to the sport adding to a girl’s health, skillset, and mental and physical toughness, there are also many scholarships opportunities for female hockey players.

Playing on a Girls’ Team vs. Playing on a Boys’ Team

Girls can choose to play on a boys’ team if they feel that it fits their level of skill and competition. Usually, this is perfectly fine until they get to a level where organized sports divide into girls’ and boys’, or men’s and women’s’ leagues (for example in high school, travel and professional hockey). At this point, there should be a women’s league that is at a high enough level of competition for the top female players.

There are benefits to either decision. The benefits of playing on a boys’ team could be the skills that the female player learns from playing in a more challenging environment (although this is not always the case). However, it may come to a point where the female player has physical challenges on the team, or that she gets less ice time and experience as the underdog.

Playing on an all-girls team could still be challenging, but the player would have an equal chance at ice time and contributing to the team’s performance. There are also many team bonding benefits to playing on an all-girls team as a young girl or teenager. It is essential to consider that if a player continues to play hockey in school or professionally, she will end up playing on a girl’s team anyway.

A Bright Future for Women’s Hockey

Fortunately, the popularity of girls in all sports is going up. Girls have so many iconic female athletes to look up to, like the US and Canadian Women’s Olympic hockey teams. The US Women’s Soccer team is also inspiring female athletes everywhere, after winning the Women’s World Cup this year and bringing more exposure to female sports as a whole. An annual increase in registration for female youth hockey has led to more leagues and teams for girls, and in turn, will attract more female players. The hockey community can only hope that this continues to grow.

Naturally, some girls gravitate towards figure skating, while others want to follow in the footsteps of their older brothers or piers who play hockey. The important thing is not to force your children in one direction or another, but to make sure that they are involved in an extracurricular activity or sport that they genuinely enjoy.

Categories
Gear Hockey

Bauer Supreme S18 Senior Goalie Jock

Bauer Supreme S18 Senior Goalie Jock

Overview:

The Bauer Supreme Goalie Jock is part of Bauer’s top of the line goaltending equipment providing professional-level protection. Super lightweight materials are used throughout the Supreme goalie jock improving overall durability and comfort. Lining the interior is Bauer’s high-quality 37.5 material. Bauer uses this material because of its excellent moisture-wicking properties, keeping you drier as well as more comfortable during the game.

The Supreme jock is fitted with one traditional injection molded cup and a secondary floating molded front plate insert that acts as the primary line of defense. Bauer’s reinforced front plate is designed with FleXorb technology, a thick gel-like insert that provides outstanding shot impact absorption. Bauer’s segmented dual-density foam abdominal pad provides additional protection for the abdomen and hip areas with restricting mobility. The fit comes from the ergonomic 2″ elastic band around the waist and 1″ adjustable leg straps ensuring a comfortable safe fit. Icewarehouse

Features:

37.5® Technology and Sanitized® technology

FleXorb front plate

Comfort Edge

Adjustable strapping

 

Reviews: 4.7 out of 5, with 7 reviews

Color: Black & Yellow

Size: Senior; 32inch – 38inch / 81cm – 97 cm

Price: $69.99 – $79.99

 

Categories
Gear Hockey

Hockey Helmet Review – CCM Tacks 110 Helmet

CCM Tacks 110 Helmet

Overview:

The newest addition to the Resistance helmet family, the RES 110 Helmet includes an improved multi-density foam liner. Scientists indicate that brain injuries and concussions are mainly due to linear and rotational accelerations of the brain. No hockey helmet can prevent or eliminate the risk of head injury, including concussions.

The Tacks 110 features a 2-piece shell with the same pro-preferred look used in the top-of-the-line Tacks 710 model. This shell’s geometry helps to absorb impacts from all areas. The construction also includes plenty of air venting throughout the shell. This venting system helps to keep your head cool during games, whether you’re breaking a sweat in warm-ups or hopping on the ice in overtime. And with a professional look, this helmet has a style that any level of player can appreciate. Comfortability and fit are also enhanced with the single tool-free adjustment mechanism found throughout the Tacks line. This system uses an occipital adjustment tool at the back of the shell, allowing you to expand and contract the helmet to give you a personalized fit. A helmet, like any piece of protective gear, must fit correctly if the protective and comfort features are to function as intended. The Tacks 110 uses this adjustment feature to ensure that you are getting the best fit possible with this model. Purehockey

Features:

LINER: Multi-density foam liner developed to help manager a variety of impacts
ADJUSTMENT: Single-tool free adjustment, that allows for an easy alteration at the back of the helmet for a customized fit and high-level comfort.
SHELL: Designed to maximize protective capabilities and a pro preferred look and shape to help absorb impacts.

Reviews: 4.2 out of 5, with 5 reviews

Color: Black, White or Navy

Size: XS – L

Price: $74.99 – $85.99

Categories
Gear Hockey

Hockey Skates Review – CCM Tacks 9050

Overview:

The CCM Tacks 9050 ice hockey skate is designed for the recreational skater but with a few more features that make it better suited for individuals looking to get into the game of hockey. An upgraded, heavier tongue and thermo-moldable boot will provide the novice hockey player the right amount of performance as they figure out their stride, and the protection necessary to mix it up on the ice with confidence. Purehockey

 

Features:

QUARTER PACKAGE: Injected Technology with Synthetic Composite. Durable boot with structural stiffness.
LINER: HD Micro Fiber. Comfortable and high resistance to wear.
TONGUE: 7mm felt for comfort and protection.
OUTSOLE: Injected outsole helps energy player’s transfer with every stride.
FOOTBED: CCM footbed provides support and comfort.
HOLDER/RUNNER: SpeedBlade Pro is a non-replaceable stainless steel blade with an elevated holder for increased attack angle.

Reviews: 5 out of 5, with 8 reviews

Size: Junior & Senior

Price: $150 – $190