Have you ever wanted to try out minor hockey, but weren’t sure where to start? Well, here’s the perfect guide for you! In this article, we will teach you everything you need to know about getting a minor hockey release so that you can play in a couple of games this season. It’s time to lace up those skates and get cracking!
Table of Contents
The Process
To get started with minor hockey, you will need to contact the Minor Hockey Association of your province. Like most sports organizations, the MHAs work hard to ensure that every skater has the opportunity to play in a few games before the end of the season. Like the major leagues, the minor leagues consist of several teams within a larger league. The teams within a league compete against one another for playoff berths and a chance at the World Minor Hockey Championship. Typically, the regular season lasts for about half of the year, and then playoffs begin in earnest. In the last few years, the season has been extended to include as many as sixteen games. During this time, teams will battle it out for the regular season crown. If you meet the requirements, you will be eligible to play in a couple of these games.
Depending on the time of year and your birthday, you will need to complete either an application or a registration form. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, email, and a few other pieces of personal information. The Association will then send you a contract by mail or email. Once you have signed the contract, you can start looking for a team. Keep in mind that you will not be able to play for a team that is outside your home province until your second year of minor hockey. After that, you can branch out to other teams in your province. This can also be done in your fifth year, but you will lose all of your previous league and team information. Your registration will be complete when you turn fourteen or fifteen years old.
What Equipment You Will Need
Since you are a minor, you will need to provide your own equipment for hockey. This will include skates, shin guards, elbow pads, and a hockey puck. While the exact equipment requirements will vary from league to league, most associations will require you to provide at least one pair of hockey skates. This is important because it helps determine your skill level. If you are unable to produce a functional pair of skates, then you should either borrow some from a friend or try out for another sport. If this is still not possible, then you should consider buying a pair of used skates. If you play on a team, you will also need a pair of goalie skates.
It is also advisable to invest in a helmet. The basic rule is: the taller you are, the taller your helmet should be. Never wear a baseball cap or a sun hat while playing hockey. This is illegal and dangerous, especially in the case of the sun hat. Once you have purchased the equipment, you can move on to the next step.
Where Can I Play?
So, you have successfully registered with the MHAs and you are now ready to look for a team. This is when things get a little bit trickier, because there are several associations that you will have to choose between. Once you have chosen your association, the easiest way to find a team is to visit their website and click on the tab that says “Look for a team” or “Join a team”. From there, you can use the search function to find the team that fits you best. Alternatively, you can call the association directly, because they will have all the information on hand.
As previously mentioned, the season is roughly four months long. This means that you will have to make the decision whether or not to play during the winter months. Some associations have a very strict policy when it comes to playing in the winter. If this is the case for you, then you should probably look for another team. Many hockey players find that the cold weather makes them a better player. Others feel that it interferes with their performance in other sports. In most cases, the decision to play in the winter rests with the parent or guardian of the young hockey player. If this is your first year participating in minor hockey, then your parents should definitely look into whether or not to allow you to play in the winter. Most likely, they will decide that its too cold and that you should stay indoors during the winter.
While the process of getting signed up with a minor hockey team is not overly complicated, it is essential to keep in mind that you are a minor and that this is a leisure sport. Like most sports, the rules are usually pretty simple but can get a little bit convoluted at times. For instance, in most cases, you will only need to clean your skates once or twice a day. Some associations have a longer break between practices and games, so you will only need to clean your equipment a few times a week. On rare occasions, you may need to remove dust from your equipment more often. In most cases, it is best to just follow the instructions that come with your equipment. If you play in a lot of tournaments and events throughout the year, then you can also ask your equipment manager for advice on how to clean your skates better. Remember: this is a leisure sport, it’s not a competition. You’re here to have fun!