Hockey Glass is more than just glass – it’s a way of life. No matter if you’re a professional hockey player or just an enthusiast, being a part of the hockey community is a great way to connect and stay involved in the game you love. However, being a part of this community also means you’ll have to pay for some of the things you use in and around the rink. Here are some of the most expensive items in the NHL locker room for you to consider.
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Entertainment
One of the biggest expenses in any sports team’s locker room is definitely the entertainment. Whether you enjoy going to the movies or taking in a game, the cost of getting your fix is usually quite high. In some cases, you’ll need to pay for the entire movie yourself since the stadium doesn’t provide any entertainment options. However, you can always find better deals if you’re planning to see a specific movie more than once.
Dress
For most hockey players, the dress is an essential part of the uniform. Whether it’s a jersey, a pants or a helmet, the NHL team’s dress code requires you to be covered up so you can play. Since most of these items are quite expensive, it’s worth considering alternatives. For example, you can choose a simple plain T-shirt or a hoodie instead of a jersey. If you don’t mind looking a little bit like a civilian, you can also choose to wear a plain hat instead of a helmet.
Travel
For most of the teams in the NHL, the road to the games is quite long and tiring. To get there and back in one piece, you’ll need a lot of travel days and nights (and a few changes of plane). The travel expenses for an NHL team are quite high, and sometimes, you won’t be able to find a decent deal for a ride to the game. If you don’t mind driving, it’s often cheaper to drive your own car and pay for gas and parking yourself. If you don’t have your own car, you can always take public transportation to/from the game. You’ll just need to make sure that your public transportation service provider gives you the day off on the day of the game so that you can drive afterwards.
Training
For amateur hockey players who want to take their game to the next level, there are a lot of training facilities that offer world-class experiences. However, the price for these facilities can be quite high, and it’s not unusual for young players to pay for some of their training costs themselves. If you’re looking for some guidance on where to train, the YMCA in your area may have rec rooms with a pool where you can take a swim for a reasonable price. You can even get a pass to the Y’s weight room for free, so you can work out with the pros.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the essentials in any sports team’s locker room. Whether you have a cup in hand before a game or after a hard day on the ice, it’s often the first thing you need when you get to the gym. While most teams get their daily coffee machine for free, sometimes, you have to pay for it yourself if the club doesn’t provide any coffee makers. Even then, you can usually find cheaper alternatives such as tea or hot chocolate, which also come in handy during the day when you’re preparing for a game. Don’t expect coffee shops to open up in the locker rooms anytime soon.
Futsies And Other Accessories
If you’re a pro hockey player, you’ll need a lot of accessories to play. From shin pads to mouth guards, you’ll need lots of little things that make the game easier for you. Even the smallest accessories can cost you quite a bit of money, so be sure to add that up when you’re checking the total cost of playing hockey. You can get all of these items for free from your hockey equipment supplier, but sometimes, you have to buy them yourself if the team doesn’t provide any discounts for them.
Healthcare
Most people who play hockey have to deal with injuries at some point in their career. It’s not unusual for hockey players to need to see a doctor or a specialist after a game. When you’re injured, you’ll have to take time off work to recover, and this can cost you a lot of money. Depending on the type of injury you have, you may need surgery, which can also cost you a lot of money. One of the best things you can do for your wallet is to keep your insurance card and file a claim for all injured parties. Surgery is usually covered under most insurance policies, but other expenses, such as doctor’s visits and physical therapy, are not.
Food
Last but not least, let’s not forget about food. In most cases, athletes are not allowed to eat what they like during their games (unless they’re having a pre-game meal), so they have to prepare food that’s compatible with their diets. Some of the items you’ll need to include in your food budget are: snacks to keep your energy up during the game, dairy products (milk, cheese and ice cream) to build up your muscles, and finally, fruit to keep your digestive system healthy. You can get all of these items for free from your hockey equipment supplier, but sometimes, you have to pay for them yourself if the team doesn’t provide any discounts for them.
As you can see from the above list, there are quite a few items that you have to spend money on if you want to play hockey. Luckily, there are alternatives. For example, if you don’t drink coffee, you don’t need to buy it for yourself. Instead, you can get tea or hot chocolate, which also come in handy during the day when you’re preparing for a game. If you don’t have your own car, you can always take public transportation to/from the game. You’ll just need to make sure that your public transportation service provider gives you the day off on the day of the game so that you can drive afterwards.
Being part of the hockey community is a great way to stay involved in the game you love, but it also means you’ll have to pay for some of the things you use in and around the rink. If you want to keep your wallet healthy, it’s worth considering alternatives that don’t cost quite as much. Keep all of this in mind when you’re buying your hockey equipment this coming winter season!