A hockey dad tells why the cost of youth hockey means nothing to him
By Brett Johnson
(Updated content)
The Cost of Youth Hockey
If you’ve got a child that plays hockey, you are well aware of the many benefits the game provides. You are bonding and enjoying quality time with them, teaching them the value of a solid work ethic and perseverance while emphasizing the importance of teamwork in everyday life.
All of that can come with a hefty price tag, however. The cost of outfitting your child with hockey equipment can be significant. Tournaments and travel hockey can really add up as well. So with this in mind, why would anyone let their child play hockey? This is one hockey dad’s view on the subject:
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One of my friends recently asked me about the cost of youth hockey. “Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time running around for your son to play hockey?” he inquired.
Well, I have a confession to make: I don’t pay for my son’s hockey. Or his skates, his pads, his helmet, and his uniform. Or his ice time, clinics and camps, for that matter.
So if I am not paying for hockey, what exactly am I paying for?
• I pay for those moments when my son becomes so tired he feels like quitting but doesn’t.
• I pay for the opportunity that my child can have and will have to make lifelong friendships.
• I pay for the chance that he may have amazing instructors who will teach him that hockey is not just about a game but about life.
“I have a confession to make.
I don’t pay for my CHILD TO PLAY hockey.”
• I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined.
• I pay for my son to learn to take care of his body.
• I pay for my son to learn to work with others and to be a proud, supportive, kind and respectful team member.
• I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment. When he doesn’t get that goal he hoped for, or falls during a breakaway he has practiced a thousand times but still gets up and is determined to do his BEST next time…
• I pay for my son to learn to set and accomplish goals.
• I pay for my son to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to become a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.
• I pay so that my son can be in the rink instead of in front of a screen.
I could go on but to keep it short, I’ll say it again: I don’t pay for hockey. I pay for the opportunities that hockey provides my child to develop the attributes that will serve him well throughout his life, and give him the opportunity to bless the lives of others.
From what I have seen over the years, I think it is a great investment. That’s why for me, the cost of youth hockey means nothing.
Brett Johnson is a hockey dad and coach living in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada.
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Another great article. However, there are a lot of things a parent and child can do to reduce high costs.
1.) Skill level is directly proportional to ice time. It takes 10,000 hours on ice to become an elite player. So you want more ice time for free? Go talk to your hockey director and ask him to assign you to a coach so that you can help the coach set up tires and cones for the drills.
Plus, as a hockey director, I would love for kids to volunteer to help coaches. I can’t tell you how many times I wish I had a player’s help, especially if he or she is a great skater. I can use him or her as an example of what I want the kids to do in the drill.
2.) Who says you have to travel? Play In-house league. Yes, I know that’s crazy. But hear me out. When I develop programming. I develop a three-tier program. Developmental, House, and Travel. Travel teams are made up of “All Stars” players, the best of the best from all the in-house teams. What is travel? Travel programs are developed to showcase your programming talent.
Now, trust me when I say there are always parents who feel their child needs more than what they are getting. “How is my little Johnny going to get to the NHL playing house league?”
When I develop programming, I develop in-house programs that get the student body involved at every age level. When you go travel out of state…who’s there to watch? Mom, Dad, and maybe Grandparents, and that’s it. Big deal!
But ask your kid this. Wouldn’t it be cool to have all of your classmates from kindergarten come out and watch you play? You tell me what’s more important, having Mom and Dad come and watch or having a bunch of friends from school come and watch?
In a 24-hour day, kids spend 7 to 8 hours at school, 6 to 8 hours for food, school work, and activities, and 8 hours sleeping. A third of their day is with schoolmates. That relationship is HUGE, and getting them to come out to the games is icing on the cake.
In the long run, it beats travel! Plus, it’s cheaper…HELLO!
I agree in the concept with the author, hockey has provided my kid such an outlet, memories, a life-long activity and a community he can be a part of it is hard to quantify that, and i think a very worthy investment. However, in my short stint as a hockey parent, now 10 years in the cost of the equipment has increased dramatically. Basic sticks up 40% ($180-$220 for mid-range and/or last years stock), skates up 30-40% (700-1100) and CCM and Bauer buying up, or putting out of business, alternatives like Step Steel and Bladetech and other companies, even removing the small amount of cost savings there. Gloves, shoulder pads, and everything are in $1000s of dollars for every growth spurt from (ages 8-18). So while I agree with the concept it still bothers me we have venture-backed companies pricing people out and profiteering on a sport, creating new lines distinguishing kids from pro/elite to casual, and this is a new phenomenon just in the last 3-4 years. It makes me wonder where we are all headed. Can Hockey sustain itself with equipment costs increasing 8-10% annually? It seems unlikely and very unfortunate for such an awesome sport.
The gentleman who responded speaks for the majority of PARENTS that think and feel the same way. They don’t look at the monetary cost, but what comes with playing on hockey team. If some kids are fortunate enough to win a league championship during their playing days or a few tournaments, they are memories that last a lifetime.
There is nothing wrong with being confident and healthy, and having the courage to depend on someone else to reach an objective that will follow them for a long time through their lifelong journey.
For all the parents out there, keep on supporting your kids’ dreams because we all have the same common goals in mind for our kids growing up. Be the best you can be, be a leader, and show up when your teammates need you the most. That is a true team player.
What a great article (this coming from a Mom of 4 boys who are now grown and volunteering for the teams their kids (my grandkids) are on)! I am still involved with Minor Hockey boards and just wish there was a way to explain this to every parent and have them believe and understand that this is what it is all about!