Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions at all about Beer League Hockey Practice that aren’t included in the below, please don’t hesitate to write us directly and we’ll be happy to help! You might even get your question added to this FAQ list and become a friggin’ legend.
What gear do I need?
Beer League Hockey Practice participants will be issued a jersey for them to keep forever and ever! Below is a list of what you’ll need to have ready yourself:
Skates
Helmet with cage or visor
Shin/ knee pads
Hockey socks
Jock or Jill
Hockey pants
Shoulder pads
Elbow pads
Gloves
Stick
Water Bottle
Where can I get gear?
If you’re new to the sport and you’re starting from scratch with your equipment, a good option for saving some money would be to get some used gear. Below are some options depending on where you live!
Brampton: Play It Again Sports
Hamilton: Play It Again Sports | SC Sports
Kitchener: Sports Zone | Play It Again Sports | Sportco Source for Sports
Mississauga: Hockey Stick Man | Play It Again Sports
Oshawa: Legends Sports
Ottawa: Play It Again Sports | Tim’s Used Sports
Peterborough: Fontaine Source for Sports | Rebound
Windsor: Brian’s Source for Sports
Do I need to have experience as a hockey player to join?
Nuh uh. All you need is a good attitude. Many players have joined Beer League Hockey Practice as completely new to the sport. The coaches, the organization, and your fellow Beer Leaguers are all very welcoming to players of any skill level.
What if I get injured and have to miss practice?
Injuries suck because ouch, and also because you can’t hockey. We’ve tried our best to balance how much it sucks for you and how much it sucks for us. 50% of the value of the remaining practices in your season will be credited towards a future season if you get injured and can’t practice.
Where do I get dressed for practice?
In the majority of cases there will be a screen in the arena lobby showing what rink BLHP will be on, and which dressing rooms are designated for us that night.
Do I need to wear a cage or visor with my helmet?
Both work! You’ll look great out there with whichever option you choose, feel free to wear either with your bucket, but we recommend the full cage.
How do I put on my hockey gear?
Check out these two links for helpful tips on putting on hockey gear, it’ll take you through step by step.
How many coaches will be at each practice?
In most cases there will be three coaches on the ice with your group. Generally there’s a head coach, with assistant coaches supporting them (and you!)
What does my fee cover?
All registrants will get a Beer League Hockey Practice jersey that’s theirs to keep, and a spot on the roster for 10 weeks of practices (unless you’re joining late).
What does a typical Beer League Hockey Practice look like?
The coaches will take each group through a series of drills and exercises to work on the fundamental skills necessary to improve your game. Sometimes the classes will be split into smaller groups to rotate through stations set up on the ice in different zones, sometimes you’ll pair up, sometimes the full group participates in drills as a full unit. All the drills and skills our coaches will run you through are the same types of exercises the pros have done their whole lives (maybe yours will be done at a slightly different pace, though). We also make sure to incorporate small area games and the occasional shinny to make sure you’re applying what you’re learning in a competitive, yet friendly environment. Follow us on social media and you’ll see lots of pictures and videos of what our environment is like :-)
How am I supposed to behave?
Our Code of Conduct.
We have a very strict "No Jerks" policy.
Beer League Hockey Practice (BLHP) exists to provide a safe, enjoyable, inclusive and educational hockey environment for its participants. The spring/summer shinny sessions are a no check / no body contact recreational adult hockey "league" with a strong emphasis on sportsmanship, fair play, skills development and respect for others in a safe playing environment. It is designed to be an extension of the BLHP skills-based practice program, and as such is not intended to be a competitive league. It is the responsibility of each player to conduct themselves accordingly, for their own enjoyment and safety as well as for the enjoyment and safety of their teammates and everyone else on the ice. It is expected that participants in BLHP exhibit good sportsmanship, which includes, but is not limited to: respect for the organizers/coordinators, teammates, opponents, and facilities.
The desire to win can potentially produce a style of play contrary to the principles of sportsmanship, and fair play. While winning is certainly a consideration, it is not the only consideration, nor is it the most important consideration. BLHP will not tolerate a style of play that ignores sportsmanship and fair play.
Remember:
Players must accept and realize that they will be playing with/against players of different skill levels and/or physical size. We expect that our collective responsibility is to support each other as players and students of the game, and work together to develop our skills. This requires us to assess who we are playing with and against. It requires at times that we be less aggressive or intense against an opponent who is clearly at a lower skill level or is significantly smaller in size/stature. This is the essence of sportsmanship and we want to place a higher emphasis on that vs winning at this point in our hockey "careers".
It absolutely requires that we do not try to intimidate our opponents either verbally or physically, or exhibit overly-aggressive physical play.
It requires that you play within your locus of control. Be aware that there WILL be players that are slower or smaller in stature, and if you are unable to control your ability to maneuver or stop, then you are likely playing out of control.
Some examples include but are not limited to the following...
You will experience incidental contact during the course of a game. As students of the game developing our skill sets, our bodies, sticks and skates don't always do what our brain wants them to do. If you do accidentally collide with another player, pause the play if they're down on the ice to make sure they're ok... give them a verbal "Sorry about that... are you ok?" If you miss a stick check and slash someone inadvertently, let them know it was unintentional. If your stick gets tied up in their skates and they get tripped up, let them know it was an accident and check that they're ok. These quick interactions can often be done on the fly, without pausing the game if the puck is elsewhere. If the puck is still in your possession, It's a judgement call to determine if you're going to continue the play and take advantage of your opponent being down because of something you did, or pause for a reset. We are not suggesting we stop play every time somebody falls, but if an opponent goes down as a direct result of your action, you might want to pause to confirm they're ok and let them know it was not intentional. We don't have officials to police our behaviour, so we require that we use self control and respect for each other instead. On a related note, if you do go down and are embarrassed or frustrated at what just happened, get up and keep playing, so as to avoid unnecessary delays in play (since your concerned teammates and opponents will likely pause to make sure you're ok).
As noted earlier, you may consider easing up a bit if challenging an opponent whose skill or physical size is significantly below your own. Again... this league is an extension of our skills-based class program. We're here to learn AND have fun, and to do that we sometimes need to support each other. There is something to be said for learning to play against better players, so it's a fine line between making it too easy for someone vs playing them so hard that they don't stand a chance to be involved in the game. It means that there are times when you still need to pass the puck to a teammate who's not as proficient as you are. Sometimes you may hang onto the puck and take that shot yourself, and other times you may pass to someone even if you know it'll result in a lesser chance of scoring than if you were to keep the puck yourself. If you're not willing to work as a group to help others, then this isn't the group you should be playing with. As good or as strong as you think you are, there's always someone else at a higher level than you are. Put yourself in that other person's skates and consider what it would be like if roles were reversed.
Good-natured chirping of our friends is fine (and even encouraged!)... but intimidating trash talk or use of aggressive profanity towards other players is not acceptable.
We must realize we are not professional hockey players, or even high-level amateurs. There's no trophy or cash reward at the end of the season. Intimidation and physical aggressiveness is definitely an ingrained part of the game at higher levels, but that's not where we're at and it's definitely not a part of the game at the level we're organizing at BLHP. The expected level of play and interaction in this league still emphasizes skill development, inclusiveness, and respect. As we build our skill levels, we will also expect to see an increase in the intensity of the game. It's totally possible to develop to a level where we play at a high intensity level, and still do not need to be physically or verbally aggressive or intimidating to our opponents. It's our hope that each and every one of you will develop a love for this great game and go on to find that perfect group to play with that matches your ideal level of skill and intensity. Until that time, we require you to work within the guidelines of our group setting.
BLHP has the authority to disqualify, suspend, or remove any player from the league who behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner before, during, or after a game. Players exhibiting actions contrary to these guidelines will be spoken to and if their actions continue, they will be prohibited from further participation.