Alright, so today I wanted to chat a bit about my recent dive into the world of Hingham youth hockey. It wasn’t something I planned, really, but life throws these things at you, right?
Getting Started with the Idea
It all kicked off a few months back. My youngest, little Timmy, suddenly got bit by the hockey bug. No idea where it came from – maybe a game he saw on TV or something a friend was doing. Anyway, he started nagging us about wanting to play. We live pretty close to Hingham, and I’d heard whispers about their youth hockey program being pretty active. So, I figured, why not look into it?
First thing I did was just some basic online searching. Found their website, tried to figure out age groups, registration, all that jazz. It was a bit of information overload at first, to be honest. Lots of different levels, schedules, and of course, the equipment list. Oh boy, the equipment.
The Registration Saga
So, the next step was actually signing him up. That involved creating an account, filling out a bunch of forms online. Then there was the fee, naturally. I remember thinking, “Okay, this is an investment, let’s hope he sticks with it.” We also had to get a USA Hockey membership number, which was another little hoop to jump through. Nothing too crazy, just a few steps you gotta follow.
Equipment Hunt
Then came the equipment. This was an adventure. We went to a couple of local sports shops. Skates, helmet, pads for every part of the body – it felt like gearing up a tiny gladiator. I tried to get some used stuff where I could, especially since kids grow so fast. Found a “play it again” type store that had some decent finds. Still, my wallet felt a bit lighter afterwards, I can tell you that.
- Skates (the most important, and tricky to fit!)
- Helmet with a cage (non-negotiable, obviously)
- Shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards
- Hockey pants
- Gloves
- And a stick, of course!
We spent a good afternoon just getting all that sorted and making sure it fit reasonably well. The folks at the store were helpful, showing us how things should fit. That was a relief, because I was pretty clueless.
First Day on the Ice
The first practice day arrived. We got to the rink – Pilgrim Arena, I think it was for his group. It was early, cold, and smelled exactly like you’d expect a hockey rink to smell. That mix of ice, sweat, and Zamboni fumes. Nostalgic, in a weird way. Timmy was a bundle of nerves and excitement. Getting all that gear on him in the locker room was a workout in itself. I struggled with a few buckles and straps, not gonna lie.
Watching him take those first wobbly steps on the ice with all the gear on, well, it was something. The coaches seemed to know what they were doing, getting the kids moving, doing basic drills. Lots of falling, lots of getting back up. That’s hockey for you, especially at that age.
The Routine and My Involvement
And so, the routine began. Early morning practices, weekend games. Lots of driving. Lots of laundry – hockey gear stinks, man. I found myself becoming one of those “hockey parents.” Chatting with other parents on the bleachers, sipping lukewarm coffee to stay warm. It’s a whole subculture, really.
I even ended up volunteering a little. Nothing major, just helping with an off-ice fundraising thing they were doing. They were looking for people to help organize a bake sale, and I figured, why not? It was a good way to meet some of the other families and feel a bit more connected to the whole thing. Turns out, these youth sports things really run on parent volunteers.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
So, yeah, that’s been my journey with Hingham youth hockey so far. It’s been a commitment, for sure. Time, money, energy. But seeing Timmy out there, learning new skills, making friends, and actually enjoying himself, that’s been the rewarding part. It’s not always glamorous, and some mornings I really dragged myself out of bed. But it’s been an experience. We’re still in the thick of it, so I guess I’ll have more to share as the season goes on. For now, that’s the scoop from my end!
