The What and Why of Spring Hockey?
The Thrill and Chill of Spring Ice Hockey
It may be a bit unconventional, diametrical, or contrarian when using the terms “Spring + Hockey = Spring Hockey! But, don’t put the winter coat away yet, Sister! Here we are girls, back at the rinkside probably. And, yes, probably right after stressful tryouts.
Rest assured, from most accounts Spring Hockey is now the least stressful time of year and oodles of more fun. Cheering on our favorite Ice Hockey kids not just in the typical Fall and Winter months, but into the flowering Spring Season. It is also a fresh breath of air with its own benefits that we will explore.
The Unconventional Season: Embracing Spring Hockey
Spring Hockey Teams are usually a new mix of players and families. This alone is a refreshing experience for players and families. Let’s face it, we spent a lot of time with the last group. A lot! Welcome new tulips and new players who may try a different rink, or their rink is getting a redo, or you may want to explore the Hockey horizons on your own or a different opportunity level of play. The kids’ contracts from the regular season have now expired, and you are free as the chirpy bird in the backyard. No, the kids will still be chirping on the ice.
A Breath of Fresh Air: The Benefits of Spring Ice Hockey
Benefit # 1: Rediscovering Hockey!
Spring Hockey is a breather between the regular season and summer, right before they enter August when mid-tier tune-ups begin for the next season. My son and I have usually had a good experience with Spring Hockey. It’s more lighthearted and fun. Sometimes the team takes on a life of their own. I remember one Spring Hockey season, where I think the coach said 2 words and a player overthrew his role. He literally barked out orders to the other 15-18-year-olds. Who, in all their lack of caring, just shook their head and continued to have a great time. Bizarre, but true. And, this was only one year. The rest of our experience has been fun, allowing our players why they fell in love with this game from the physics, the laughs, and the ability to stray from the strict plays to the team camaraderie.
Benefit # 2: Enhanced Skill Development
New coaching brings on a new plethora of knowledge. Some players connect with coaches differently and learn from a different example style. Combine the more relaxed atmosphere of Spring Hockey (fun hockey), sometimes the brain just synapses better for the “Oh, I get it now!” lightbulb.
Benefit # 3: Increased Playing Time
If you feel your child did not get the playing time during the regular season, this is where you may find with most teams, all play equally. Shorter bench? Even better – more playing time to develop the new instruction is a win-win for your child and you to get action photos!
Benefit # 4: Opportunity for Experimentation
Remove the stress of plays, stats, line-ups etched in stone, and the weight of regular season stats and championship on the shoulders of players and coaches, both are more open to experimentation with freedom of movement, and relaxation of rules. The players individually also have a chance now to practice in a game setting their latest “toe, drag, shoot’ or deking moves. When successful, they build on their skill set for the next year, with a stronger, more determined, and confident Ice Hockey mindset.
Spring Ice Hockey Tournaments: The Perfect Team Bonding Experience
1) The Magic of Travel Tournaments
Travel tournaments can be fun, but again the merriment of Spring Hockey comes with more fun and relaxation than typical regular season curfews. If you do travel, the kids may stay longer in the pool with new friends, and the parents a bit longer at the hotel bar or develop new relationships that will serve each other long after June.
2) Memorable Moments and Team Camaraderie
New friends and team camaraderie is laid here. The hockey world is very small, so be prepared for your child to develop new friendships. There is a playfulness on and off the ice and it is a perfect recipe for memories that all can savor when it comes to Spring Hockey. Again, the competition factor within a team and against other teams are removed. There is a genuine rapport, without agenda amongst the players, parents, and coaches.
3) Building Friendships Across Borders (State and Country)
Fancy! Going abroad out of the States or even to another state or region of the US for Spring Hockey is exhilarating. This is an experience only the young without the ties of adult responsibilities can reap. Let them make new friendships and networks! These can last a lifetime.
Let’s face it, this also gives the parents back home a bit of respite, while your child is experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime experience of immersion in another culture and training environment.
Off-Season Growth: The Importance of Continuous Training
1) Staying in Shape for sure!
Maintaining endurance throughout the off-season can’t be missed. And, of course, Maintaining Mental Agility and my son loved the ability to fine-tune individual skills that he always didn’t have the bandwidth to do with a larger team with a pressing agenda.
Your Attractive HeadingThe Balancing Act: Juggling Spring Ice Hockey and Other Sports.
Now this is when things can get hairy quickly. Watch what and how much you sign up for!
I remember when we tried Baseball and Spring Hockey, and then the next year Lacrosse and Spring Hockey. After coming off of the official Hockey season, friends and family would express what they assumed was a relief and good wishes for rest. Bahahaha. I didn’t want to explain why they should pity me more, I thought the cross-training of both would help his main passionate sport of Ice Hockey. I would just smile, nod and give one of these smiles…
I told myself it also fostered athletic versatility, secretly hoped maybe my son may find a new less expensive sport, and of course, this would prevent total burnout of playing only hockey
Is Spring Ice Hockey a Scouting Ground?
For higher-level and older players, it can be if you are playing where the scouts hang out. Any coach worth their salt will also identify promising players, with good skill, adaptability, hockey sense, and mental attitude during Spring Hockey for future seasons. Spring Hockey can be a platform for exposure. The higher the platform, the higher the stakes, continue to make sure you have fun.
Parents: Your Guide to Navigating Types of Spring Ice Hockey Teams
From Beginner to Pro: Spring Ice Hockey for all skill levels
- Local Spring Hockey In-house – Manage your Expectations here. If you are not playing at a high level, this is more of an organized pickup game with some minimalist jerseys. There may or may not be hockey socks. This is a lot more doable when there is a two-sport season. If you have to miss it, it is not the end of the world. Practices are more for teammates getting to know each other’s style and the same for the coaches. This level of play also presents more inclusion and diversity of level of play from B to AA players. All are welcomed and should be presented as a learning experience and character-building experience where the more experienced players can mentor others. Minimal financial and time investment. Probably will come with an end-of-the-year bbq party.
- If you are performing more of a Mid-Tier Spring Tournament Hockey game, you may have more organization, more travel, and more organized practices. More Money. Fair play and respect will be incorporated at this level. Depending on the organization or the coach, check and see how missed games or practices are really viewed.
- High-level AAA Tier 1 Spring Tournaments. They are trying your kid out for size. This may be their way of figuring out where they fit for the upcoming season if you have signed a contract, or for future seasons. Impressions matter here, and the charge also went up. Jerseys and socks included. Hopefully, you won’t have to buy matching gloves. Helmets – could go either way.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Spring Ice Hockey
God Bless you if you have this option! In our part of the woods her in the mid-Atlantic states we are lucky some years if we can get on the ice even mid-February. Spring Ice would be charming to those who are not given the opportunity. Take it! We are living vicariously through y’all!
How to Join a Spring Ice Hockey League?
Finding Local Programs
If you want to start with the organization you are with, just ask your coach or manager. There are usually flyers, emails, and website details getting sent out between mid-February to March. Some have try-outs even for in-house teams in an effort to keep the skills level and playing field (ice) even. No one wants lopsided wipe-out games. This is a time and place to just go out and have fun.
Pretty much the same go for mid-tier Spring Tournament Travel teams. Most will be regional travel. Tip: ask if the travel is Stay to Play. Some tournament organizations have policies on Stay to Play which you have to add to your costs. The Spring Tourneys tend to be more relaxed with these hotel rules. Usually, Stay to Play intends for all members of the teams enrolled in a tournament to stay at one of their approved hotels. My mouth dropped the first time I came across this…I thought it was just hockey, but most travel sports are participating in this racket.
Registration Tips and Tricks
Find out if there are tryouts and teams that can be accommodated. For example, ask if certain kids could possibly be placed together on a team to allow for carpooling, decreasing the stress on a parent who is already looking like a droopy daffodil in May. Ask about Stay to Play, any other costs, or volunteer time that may be needed. If you have always wanted to coach or manage a team, this is a great way to dip your skate into the rink, and try it out!
Closing Thoughts: Embracing the Spring Ice Hockey Experience
So, if you still find yourself asking, why Spring Ice Hockey? The answer lies in the blend of camaraderie, the ability of your child to hone their skills and build relationships based on the pure love of the sport while challenging them to different levels of competitive spirit.
Another question is, is Spring Hockey worth it? The answer is a resounding yes if allows your player a more relaxed environment, and the ability to focus on personal development and new skills and strategies on the ice. I would bet, this investment may be worth it from the novice to the most seasoned players for the growth of many different layers it offers.
Love, Mom XOXO
