Hockey needs to be better than most sports at opening doors if it's going to survive. Those of us who love the sport and try to teach it need to be the best ambassadors. We'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't score/couldn't get puck / had puck stolen: 5
Kids crying in last mini-match: 0.

Oh yes! I didn't even address cost. It'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's way more comfortable anyway. https://twitter.com/ParcExCosta/status/1194741918997110784?s=20

I've now got three kids in hockey, for a total of about 9 seasons now. I'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'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.