Hockey needs to be better than most sports at opening doors if it& #39;s going to survive. Those of us who love the sport and try to teach it need to be the best ambassadors. We& #39;re not there yet.

With that, please allow me to share some key statistics:

Kids using a support to skate at Practice 1: 6.
Kids using it at Practice 18: 0.

Kids crying in mini-match 1 because they couldn& #39;t score/couldn& #39;t get puck / had puck stolen: 5
Kids crying in last mini-match: 0.

Oh yes! I didn& #39;t even address cost. It& #39;s expensive. Ice time is probably unavoidably so, but on equipment I have one vital tip to share: Do not buy anything new. Finding used is a bit of work but it& #39;s way more comfortable anyway. https://twitter.com/ParcExCosta/status/1194741918997110784?s=20">https://twitter.com/ParcExCos...

I& #39;ve now got three kids in hockey, for a total of about 9 seasons now. I& #39;ve purchased 2 helmets, one pair of skates an a few small things I got on deep discount new. Used kids equipment is all over the internet.

And I wasn& #39;t kidding about comfort. Equipment is all so stiff now. I bought my eldest a new pair of elbow pads. They were a bit too big. Bought some used on the internet, he was much happier because they were way less pinchy.