Is hockey only for the wealthy?

[lawryde 0]

Everyone here knows hockey is expensive with gear, ice time, doctor bills.

It probably costs less to play than Polo, but it still puts a dent in most peoples budget.

My question is this, how much money do you (or your parents if you're a kid without a job) make?

Is playing hockey a big sacrifice? Do you not have digital cable because you'd rather be on the ice, or do you melt the wax onto your blade with lit 100-dollar bills?

I know lots of people don't like to talk about how much they make in a year. If you don't like to, then don't say.

I'm a mechanical engineer, and I make about $85K and support a family of 3. Playing on the rec league I play on and pickup sessions isn't a huge financial burden.

[cougarscaptain87 12]

since my recent promotion, i fall into the $25000 - $50000 catagory on my own (ALOT closer to 25k) but for 18, i dont have to pay for too much stuff so i have been able to pay for hockey and equipment, support myself and my son, and still have some money for what i like to do (tattoos and my car). keep in mind i am just paying for adult league hockey which is far less expensive then when i was playing high school and growing up, but i dont make too many sacrifices to play.

[Nutella 0]

Not very rich here, still can play... with expensive gear too (no debt).

[Spreedizzle 1]

Based on the typically high initial entrance fee to hockey, the leage that I am the commissioner of has taken the approach of free gear for the 12 and under crowd. Our league had partnered up with Epuck and had purchased about 25 complete sets of gear and allowed the new youth's in our league to outfit themselves before their practices and games...and all that they had to provide was their own skates. We essentially have had 55 gallon plastic drums, each full with a different piece of equipment. Myself and other various volunteers in our league have taken it upon themselves to clean the gear at regular intervals. With this new program in a relatively non-hockey oriented city of Asheville NC we have seen a measureable increase in our youth programs. Promoting this at the schools, and for the time being in the public ice skating sessions, has helped to build our program and bring more interest in hockey in our community.

The great thing about this program is that once most of the parents realize that their kids are interested in the sport (after a season or so) they are far more likely to purchase the equipment for their children.

[All Torhs Team 0]

Im 17 and pay for as much of the hockey as I can. My mom works two jobs, both paying approx. 12k a year. My dad's business is a disaster and has ran him 60K in debt. We are also a family of 6.

My parents are my hero's for how much they give up and work for our famiily.

But I pay for alot of my hockey, also other familys help pay for my hockey alot of times.

I havnt driven (because of gas) or stayed in our own hotel room in a long long time.

[Chadd 916]

Based on the typically high initial entrance fee to hockey, the leage that I am the commissioner of has taken the approach of free gear for the 12 and under crowd. Our league had partnered up with Epuck and had purchased about 25 complete sets of gear and allowed the new youth's in our league to outfit themselves before their practices and games...and all that they had to provide was their own skates. We essentially have had 55 gallon plastic drums, each full with a different piece of equipment. Myself and other various volunteers in our league have taken it upon themselves to clean the gear at regular intervals. With this new program in a relatively non-hockey oriented city of Asheville NC we have seen a measureable increase in our youth programs. Promoting this at the schools, and for the time being in the public ice skating sessions, has helped to build our program and bring more interest in hockey in our community.

The great thing about this program is that once most of the parents realize that their kids are interested in the sport (after a season or so) they are far more likely to purchase the equipment for their children.

That's a nice program, I wish more people were doing things like that.

I find it funny that the IHIA claims to be trying to increase the number of kids playing hockey(one goal program), yet they don't do anything to set up more programs like this. Wouldn't it be better for the sport if they donated the leftover gear to programs like yours (and writing off the full value) instead of selling them for 25 cents on the dollar to the online warehouses? That would be a win for everyone other than those couple big dealers who specialize in closeouts.

[Spreedizzle 1]

Based on the typically high initial entrance fee to hockey, the leage that I am the commissioner of has taken the approach of free gear for the 12 and under crowd. Our league had partnered up with Epuck and had purchased about 25 complete sets of gear and allowed the new youth's in our league to outfit themselves before their practices and games...and all that they had to provide was their own skates. We essentially have had 55 gallon plastic drums, each full with a different piece of equipment. Myself and other various volunteers in our league have taken it upon themselves to clean the gear at regular intervals. With this new program in a relatively non-hockey oriented city of Asheville NC we have seen a measureable increase in our youth programs. Promoting this at the schools, and for the time being in the public ice skating sessions, has helped to build our program and bring more interest in hockey in our community.

The great thing about this program is that once most of the parents realize that their kids are interested in the sport (after a season or so) they are far more likely to purchase the equipment for their children.

That's a nice program, I wish more people were doing things like that.

I find it funny that the IHIA claims to be trying to increase the number of kids playing hockey(one goal program), yet they don't do anything to set up more programs like this. Wouldn't it be better for the sport if they donated the leftover gear to programs like yours (and writing off the full value) instead of selling them for 25 cents on the dollar to the online warehouses? That would be a win for everyone other than those couple big dealers who specialize in closeouts.

My program is set up as a "Non-Profit Organization"....thus my theory is that if we have money at the end of paying our refs and taking care of our fees and otherwise....we need to be investing in our program, in particular in the future of the sport...of course being our youth. As funds permit going forward I would like to extend the free gear offer into our upper youth programs, and also into the adults. The unfortunate reality with hockey is the entrance costs when compared to every other popular sport in America. Soccer....$20 shin guards, and $40 cleats...and you are in. With this program we are able to offer the same entrance costs for a decent pair of skates and our organization covers the remainder until you are prepared or willing to purchase your own equipment.

[ScottMan 0]

It seems like the results are pretty much all over the place, which makes me feel better.

What I would guess though, is that most kids that play elite hockey and live in low-income households are either working hard to help or totally pay for that gear/fees or their parents are going poor doing it...or both.

Hockey is very, very expensive as we all know, and I think many parents sacrifice a lot to let their child compete at that level.

[Remman 0]

I make about $30k. I play because I like it and it takes my mind off of things. I can barely afford it but I do it anyway, beings I am the only one I have to look out after. I don't play in leagues often because I can't always front the money but play open hockey quite often.

[Chadd 916]

I make about $30k. I play because I like it and it takes my mind off of things. I can barely afford it but I do it anyway, beings I am the only one I have to look out after. I don't play in leagues often because I can't always front the money but play open hockey quite often.

Our league accepts the money in three payments, it makes it much easier to round up players. Teams who don't make payments on time get pulled from the schedule.

[Spreedizzle 1]

I make about $30k. I play because I like it and it takes my mind off of things. I can barely afford it but I do it anyway, beings I am the only one I have to look out after. I don't play in leagues often because I can't always front the money but play open hockey quite often.

Our league accepts the money in three payments, it makes it much easier to round up players. Teams who don't make payments on time get pulled from the schedule.

Now THAT is an interesting idea. I might have to see if I can instigate something like that in my league and yet another effort to boost participation. :D

[Remman 0]

That's nice. My team now lets me pay per game as I never know if I will be staying around or not due to jobs, which is nice because I just found out I won't be here for playoffs or championship.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

When I played highschool/midget we had the option to make monthly payments if we wanted to.. My mom paid for my hockey then, and I'm sure it was much easier for her to make a monthly payment of 150-170 rather than one lump payment of 900+ at the beginning of season.

College was one payment up front and that sucked, I had to do that one.

My mom at the time was only making 20k a year and I could never thank her enough for paying for my hockey for a few years, considering its where 90% of my friends came from and its the only thing I do now that is exercise. The fact that she let me play in highschool and I now have interest/money to continue to play now that I'm older will probably add 10 years to my life :)

[wullymc 0]

For people that are Police officers or other govt. departments, sometimes these industries chip in for ice time etc to keep their members in shape. This is great because like most people I want to play more than I can afford to. This affords me to play a few times a week.

I feel for people that have trouble giving their children the opportunity to play hockey. Your kids don't need the best equipment out there. You can pick up some used equipment for some good prices. I think I will go this route with my kids.

[cmvondran 0]

I make alittle over 30,000. I normally skate about threes times a week. 2 drop in sessions and league play. I think my league cost 300.00 for 25 games and drop in is 10.00 per session. It really doesn't bent the pocket book to bad.

[chrisg19 5]

Hockey is surely more of a rich sport than the other "big 4", but as others have said it is not for the most part unattainable.

Chris

[rinkrat94 1]

Hockey is not a "rich persons" sport. I'm sure most people on this board are not rich, and I know I'm not and I can afford to play. Just don't let your kids be goalies :lol:

[Race4LastPlace 31]

For me, its pretty expensive. But then again i dont live in a hockey supportive area. The local rink just basically doubled the price for the leagues, so that really sucks. But they more or less refuse to keep any equipment for players like me (i.e. adult league, senior size stuff) so it sucks because i have to order eveything online. All in all... doesnt break the bank, but isnt cheap.

[Leafsrok 0]

i voted 101k to 250k, but thats both my parents put together. i know hockey gets quite expensive for my parents, plus theres all the other things teenagers need to keep up with life, school etc. i try to help out with cost for little things (tape, blades, new runners, sharpenings) and things around the house as much as often to help them keep up with my busy schedule as well as my own.

(deffinitely not trying to self glorify here, just saying that the cost is a bit more justifiable if people pull their weight in other aspects of life as well as hockey, makes life go a lot smoother)

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

Hockey is not a "rich persons" sport. I'm sure most people on this board are not rich, and I know I'm not and I can afford to play. Just don't let your kids be goalies :lol:

Not for the adult league per se, but it is for competitive youth hockey.

[mack 44]

Absolutely. I shudder thinking about the costs of when I played here since you absolutely had to fly everywhere for a tourney.

[hahaimhenry 0]

My mom, is definitely my hero even with me being an only child she is a single mother that supports my hockey and everything else i do her annual income is around 30 000 - 40 000.

I've also noticed people with low paid parents work harder, I know I do and the fact my mom doesn't actually force me to be the ultimate hockey player is even better I enjoy every second of the game :D

I don't think hockey is a big rich peoples sport, it's talent that pays off in the end, besides second hand gear isn't too bad... Is it?

[kosydar 0]

Absolutely. I shudder thinking about the costs of when I played here since you absolutely had to fly everywhere for a tourney.

I didn't have to fly everywhere, but we definitely had to drive 100+ miles for over half out games because there are four rinks in the state. Definitely limited the number of kids who could afford to play.

[mack 44]

Also hurt the tourneys you could play in since you can't feasibly plane a team of kids down for a quick tourney and bring them right back.