When you ask someone about the costs of playing hockey you typically get words like elitist, expensive, outrageous.  A quick Google search turns up more blogs then you can read about the rising costs. When you or your child began this journey called "hockey" chances are it started with a registration fee. Then comes the equipment purchase, tournament fees, hotel stays, gas money and food. Let's not even get into automotive depreciation. Hopefully your sticker shock didn't leave you speechless and immobile at the end of the season.  Personally I find beer and/or wine help soften the blow!  What you will also find in those numerous blogs is the underlying concern that the price is driving away families from the sport we all love.  What happens when only a hand full of kids can afford to play hockey?  You lose your quality house programs, with no house there is no travel, no travel means no AA or AAA.  I'm sure you see where I'm going with this, if you no longer have feeder programs this can go all the way to the top.

So why is hockey so expensive? Some things are not always what they seem. When quoting a price for a youth player I always point out the price covers 6 months worth of hockey, about 25 weeks. Granted, not always helpful but some parents do understand the point. This is not an 8 week program, this is half a year! When you play something for half a year, the costs will add up.

Another shock is having to buy equipment but that can be misleading.  A youth hockey player who is starting out does not need top of the line equipment or even new for that matter.  Sports consignment stores can offer great deals and websites that specialize in hockey equipment typically run great sales all summer to clear out old inventory.  Many hockey programs offer loaner bags to use during the season, only requiring your child to have their own skates, stick, cup and mouth guard. And let me say this clearly…WOODEN STICKS!! You will save yourself heart ache later if you wait until your player is ready for a composite stick.

Unfortunately ice hockey is not something you can play on any empty field at a park. It requires a specialized surface.  In central Indiana where I currently call home, winter weather does not typically help in regards to outside ice availability.  We are at the mercy of indoor rinks which are currently at a premium.  In Minnesota, the hockey capital of the States, ice costs average $165 an hour.  We are working with $350+ an hour here.  This price alone drives up the cost of every league - youth, high school, adult and even figure skating.  In some cases, people are walking away from their beloved sport because ice costs are making their sport inaccessible.  Even public skate costs for the average family of five has become a burden and children may not be able to experience their first ice exposure the way you and I may have.  With regrets I do not have a solution to high ice costs, I am not able to build my own rink…I have tried.   What I can offer is a tip, though.  The majority of leagues are non profit.  They are ran by volunteers who consider the league a project of love.  They ALWAYS need help.  By volunteering you are able to help them stretch EVERY dollar they have while reaching as many families as possible.

Speaking of dollars, a great way to help keep hockey affordable:  SPONSORS!  If you think back to little leagues of the 80's and early 90's, this was a huge thing.  Sponsors advertised their business while supporting a great cause. Sponsors help keep costs down by filling in any financial gaps that may be forming in the budget due to rising costs. Depending on your leagues by-laws, the money usually goes directly to teams in order to help with whatever resources are needed.  You can start the ball rolling by asking business owning friends and relatives.  What businesses do you frequent during the week?  Asking the owner or manager never hurts, the worst they will say is "no".

Many leagues do know that families are struggling and in order to keep as many families in the game as possible, a number of  scholarship programs are being developed.  Sometimes it can take some investigative work to find them but internet searches can yield quite a few results.  Asking league presidents, coaches, and even seasoned hockey families can have great results. Some companies offer volunteer programs for their employees which pay out quarterly.  Like I said, investigation is required but it can pay off in the end.

We need to do our best to keep youth sports affordable for all families.  What tips do you and your family use to keep finances in check during the season?  I would love to hear from you!