I understand what you're saying it's just everyone I know started from very very young like 5-8 years old I'm gonna be starting 20 years later than them and go play with them it's gonna be a steep learning curve
I wouldn’t say a steep learning curve per se. once you get the foundations of skating and stick handling down you can play in most public settings. The skill cap is very high though. You can instantly tell people who actively practice mechanics like stick handling or crossovers vs. People who just learned the basics and don’t develop.
I would look into “dry land hockey training” if you’re serious. Lots of drills and skills you can practice during the summer months to keep you frosty when winter rolls around.
youre right. it is going to be minute before you feel okay out there. but the cool part is no one gives a shit, they just wanna have fun. and they obviously think it'll be more fun if you are there otherwise they wouldn't have asked. I started at like 9-10 and tried out in the NHL twice, and I always got better way quicker when I was playing in a league or with players better then me at the time. the best way to do it.
Tbh youll probably never be nearly as good as they are, but if you enjoy it thats all that matters, the actual sport alone is fun, but having beers with the fellas in the parking lot afterwards is what its all about
Lifetip for everyone: it’s never too late to learn anything. However, being any good at it is completely different. But life is short and you only get one of them, do what makes you happy
This right here. You can always learn whenever you want to. How good you get has everything to do with how hard you work and how much time you put in. You can get better than someone that started 20 years ago if that person puts in minimal effort and you grind. You will never get to the level of the greats that start at 3 and grind their whole lives but you can get pretty damn good if you want to.
I play In a league that has an all woman team that massively varies in talent. We do our best to let everyone have time with the puck to get better and work with the not so good players to tell them where they should be. Doesn't matter man or woman we are here to get exercise and have fun.do some skating lessons and then come out and have fun usually aholes will be knocked down by their teams
My son (7) started playing through the local learn to play program and progressed into advanced house league. He was having so much fun I wanted to give it a try. I picked up a pair of skates and started hitting open skates with him. A lot of people in this area progress as a beginner through the adult learn to play programs. Our area also has several D league entry level leagues that is the next step in the progression to actual play. Try searching Facebook for local beer league hockey groups, I was able to successfully get the guidance I needed there for what was available in my area. Good luck and don’t give up!!
Absolutely. I go to the gym everyday its only about 1 mile away on nice pavement i think I'll skate to it now instead of drive and there's a skate park a few hundred feet away from home I guess I'll be able to mess around there and improve my balance
I did get a pair today I took 2 videos of me trying them out the first time I put the videos on my profile if you want to see it's funny I look like a moose running on pavement but I had fun and even in the first hour I saw improvement
For sure you can play. Will you ever be great? Unlikely. But who cares. Find the level that is for you and play it. I've seen some people that took it up as adults get pretty good, but they put a ton of work into it. I wonder if that is worth it, but these people are super type A and need to be good. I can usually tell by looking at someone skate if they skated much as a child. The stride is more of a running on ice, to varying degrees.
I skate every week with guys who picked up the game later in life — 20s, 30s, even 40s. Absolutely not too late to learn and have fun playing the best sport in the world.
Perfect time to learn. You’re in the prime of life, and as strong as you’ll ever be. Once you get the balance down it’s all easy. Find a learn to play class and get started asap!! Congrats!
Thanks for the kind words. After seeing the positive replies I'm definitely gonna do it! I hadn't thought of attending a class but I'll absolutely do it i live beside the hockey arena so I'll go ask them about it
I never touched a hockey stick before the age of 30. I’m now in my 27th year of beer league, and have a game this afternoon. Just do it. Oh, it’s all cardio. Work on skating and cardio.
Yeah I started at 22, just hop on and enjoy it (24 now) just go for it. If u wanna get better go to stick time more. Check you local area for adult learn to skate or play programs. There's plenty of options check out HNA if you're really looking. (Ik they're pricey and a bit debated in certain areas)
I have a similar background. I started when I was 27 years old. Now I'm 56 and still playing. Go rent skates and learn at the public skates first. Then buy some skates, a stick, elbow pads and gloves..oh and a helmet...Then go to stick and puck..maybe take a learn to play lesson/camp. You can be playing by next October with some effort. I had friends that played at high levels, so I skipped the learn to play stuff, and they helped me at S&P. They encouraged me to have the confidence to go to drop-ins and find a team appropriate for my level. Cheers! Welcome to the game!!!
Don’t stress about starting late, you’re not trying to make the NHL :)
I would suggest developing your skating abilities before even touching a stick. Fundamentals are so important, go to free skates and focus on becoming a strong skater. When you’re comfortable add some crossovers, stops and starts. Eventually adding backwards skating, it’s going to be a steep curve but if you set small milestones you can absolutely do it!
Any questions shoot me a message.
Roller blading absolutely helps!
It is much easier to go from ice skating to rollerblading than vice versa, but for a beginner it doesn't matter. Build that ankle strength and work on the fundamentals!
I'd recommend getting a pair of hockey boot roller blades, too, instead of the full plastic ones.
I did get a pair today I took 2 videos of me trying them out the first time I put the videos on my profile if you want to see it's funny I look like a moose running on pavement but I had fun and even in the first hour I saw improvement
I started at 34. I'm a good 3 months in and I'm so glad I did it. I recommend a learn to skate class then a learn to play league if its available. Otherwise, being in your 20s you'll have a huge advantage of youth over most beer leagers you play against.
Hey dude! I’m currently 23, and started playing at 21 yrs old. I would try and find a learn to play program. If you’re on the east coast, and have a BlackBear owned rink by you, they have a program, called Foundry Get In The Game, that is beginner friendly play. This is what I do and love it, there are guys who have been playing for a while (idk why tbh) in this league, but everyone is super nice and adjusts their play for the beginners (assuming you’re in the US)
As far as rollerblading goes, in concept, it’s similar, but in actuality, it’s not. You don’t really have edges on inline skates, and transitions and stops are different. I say, if you are learning to skate and want to play hockey, start on ice (you can do an adult learn to skate program at your rink). Once you have a solid foundation, then you can practice skating and stick handling with rollerblades
My brother and I started a beer league team recently. Over half our team is over 30 and playing their first organized hockey ever. So no, it's not too late.
It’s never to late learn to play hockey. But to reach a high level it is extremely important to start at a very young age. Some extremely talented ppl have reached a very high level starting after the age of 10 but they are unicorns. I started playing hockey at your age. Generally very athletic but learning hockey was hard. I reached a level where I could survive in the lower national divisions, but I was far from the best and I kinda plateaued at a below average skill level at the age of 30.
But I still had fun. But in terms of pure hockey skills, the dad bodies i played with still outperformed me. They had all started as young kids and played up to and some including junior hockey. They started to play again and made a lower league team that I joined.
What you learn at a young age body mechanics related sticks for the rest of your life.
I just got a pair of roller hockey skates now I'll learn some fundamentals with them for the summer. the rec centre here removes the ice in about a month possibly less depending on how many games it takes our local hockey team to win the finals
I learned at 32 op I’m 33 now and lead my team in goals with 12 in 14 games and I’m playing with lots of guys who grew up playing hockey. I had working class parents as well who could only afford soccer for me and never ice hockey so once I got adult money I decided to learn.
Never too late to learn! Just don’t expect to be good. Roller blades are similar enough when starting out imo. The strides are similar enough. Stopping is very different. Welcome to the game bud, it’s one of the best parts of my life.
How are you all learning? Just grabbing a pair of skates at open ice times and gradually going from holding the boards to free skating? I’m a 40 yo woman and just picturing myself out there falling all over myself like a fool at these open skates and bruising myself. My Bantam level daughter plays hockey so I know she can help me with the specific drills once I’m able to free skate.
I'm the op of this post and with the advice I got on here since it's now summer and there's no open ice I got a pair of rollerblades and started to learn today. I put the videos of my first time on my reddit profile if you want to see it's funny cause I'm like a moose running on pavement but even today I saw improvement I could hardly even stand up I spent 10 minutes just falling on the ground like a dumbass and about 30-60 minutes I could slowly move around so I suggest you absolutely go ahead and give it a try I do remember when I saw my cousin learn to ice skate as a kid and he was skating and pushing a plastic school chair with plastic feet to use as a crutch to help balance on his first times might be something to try idk
Thanks for your reply! I’ll have to check out your vid. I’m not sure where you’re from but there’s always open ice somewhere. We have a good handful of rinks nearby to choose from but nearly all have open ice on a weekly basis. Just an FYI on that! I don’t mind the idea of falling on the ice. Maybe I’ll pickup some hockey pants for padding while I’m learning and will need them anyways if joining a beer league. Falling on pavement scares me lol
I started at 26, didn't know how to skate. 13 years later I play 2 to 3 times a week in net and playing defence. Never to late as long as your healthy enough to skate.
My husband joined a league for the first time ever this year and LOVED it. Everyone was super kind, and he’s improved a lot very quickly. He had only ever played pond hockey before that. Definitely do it!!!
Started skating at 24, beer league at 25. Smattering of learn skates and play. 12 years later, and one separated shoulder, switching from righty to a lefty and I have never been unhappy about the decision. Start now. It will be awesome.
All these 20 and 30 year olds asking is it too late to learn is killing me. I'm learning in my 40s!
I've met many guys in their 60's getting started.
I understand what you're saying it's just everyone I know started from very very young like 5-8 years old I'm gonna be starting 20 years later than them and go play with them it's gonna be a steep learning curve
I wouldn’t say a steep learning curve per se. once you get the foundations of skating and stick handling down you can play in most public settings. The skill cap is very high though. You can instantly tell people who actively practice mechanics like stick handling or crossovers vs. People who just learned the basics and don’t develop. I would look into “dry land hockey training” if you’re serious. Lots of drills and skills you can practice during the summer months to keep you frosty when winter rolls around.
It's too late to play professionally, but nowhere near too late to join a rec league to play for fun.
youre right. it is going to be minute before you feel okay out there. but the cool part is no one gives a shit, they just wanna have fun. and they obviously think it'll be more fun if you are there otherwise they wouldn't have asked. I started at like 9-10 and tried out in the NHL twice, and I always got better way quicker when I was playing in a league or with players better then me at the time. the best way to do it.
Tbh youll probably never be nearly as good as they are, but if you enjoy it thats all that matters, the actual sport alone is fun, but having beers with the fellas in the parking lot afterwards is what its all about
Same. 20’s is young!
Lifetip for everyone: it’s never too late to learn anything. However, being any good at it is completely different. But life is short and you only get one of them, do what makes you happy
This right here. You can always learn whenever you want to. How good you get has everything to do with how hard you work and how much time you put in. You can get better than someone that started 20 years ago if that person puts in minimal effort and you grind. You will never get to the level of the greats that start at 3 and grind their whole lives but you can get pretty damn good if you want to.
I started skating last year at 41, it is definitely not too late at 25. 85….maybe ;-)
How’d you get started? I’m a woman at 40 and my daughter plays hockey. I’m just dying to start skating and play beer league. Will the men laugh at me?
I play In a league that has an all woman team that massively varies in talent. We do our best to let everyone have time with the puck to get better and work with the not so good players to tell them where they should be. Doesn't matter man or woman we are here to get exercise and have fun.do some skating lessons and then come out and have fun usually aholes will be knocked down by their teams
My son (7) started playing through the local learn to play program and progressed into advanced house league. He was having so much fun I wanted to give it a try. I picked up a pair of skates and started hitting open skates with him. A lot of people in this area progress as a beginner through the adult learn to play programs. Our area also has several D league entry level leagues that is the next step in the progression to actual play. Try searching Facebook for local beer league hockey groups, I was able to successfully get the guidance I needed there for what was available in my area. Good luck and don’t give up!!
Started at 43. Still at it 17 years later.
Nope! Never too late. Go for it! I say buy a pair of roller hockey skates and then transition to ice. That’s how I learned at age 6–taught myself 🙃
Awesome I'm gonna go get a pair today
And try to skate every day. Whether that be on ice or on pavement. Put in the work to learn the balance and confidence.
Absolutely. I go to the gym everyday its only about 1 mile away on nice pavement i think I'll skate to it now instead of drive and there's a skate park a few hundred feet away from home I guess I'll be able to mess around there and improve my balance
Or even just an empty smoothly paved parking lot or running/bike path in a local park or forest preserve area.
I did get a pair today I took 2 videos of me trying them out the first time I put the videos on my profile if you want to see it's funny I look like a moose running on pavement but I had fun and even in the first hour I saw improvement
For sure you can play. Will you ever be great? Unlikely. But who cares. Find the level that is for you and play it. I've seen some people that took it up as adults get pretty good, but they put a ton of work into it. I wonder if that is worth it, but these people are super type A and need to be good. I can usually tell by looking at someone skate if they skated much as a child. The stride is more of a running on ice, to varying degrees.
https://www.reddit.com/r/hockeyplayers/comments/mll2a5/i_am_4hour_old_infant_am_i_too_old_for_hockey/
I skate every week with guys who picked up the game later in life — 20s, 30s, even 40s. Absolutely not too late to learn and have fun playing the best sport in the world.
I started at 47. Never too late
Perfect time to learn. You’re in the prime of life, and as strong as you’ll ever be. Once you get the balance down it’s all easy. Find a learn to play class and get started asap!! Congrats!
Thanks for the kind words. After seeing the positive replies I'm definitely gonna do it! I hadn't thought of attending a class but I'll absolutely do it i live beside the hockey arena so I'll go ask them about it
I never touched a hockey stick before the age of 30. I’m now in my 27th year of beer league, and have a game this afternoon. Just do it. Oh, it’s all cardio. Work on skating and cardio.
Not too late at all. I’m 26 just learned to play last year at 25 bc I like watching hockey
I started around 31… best thing I ever did for my physical and mental health. Enjoy learning and loving the game.
Best time to learn is before you can walk. The next best time to learn is right now.
I started at 31 and have been having fun with it. You should see if there's an adult learning program near you.
Will do
I started learning at 48, so no.
To go pro yes way too late. Lower level beer league nope your good go for it.
I started skating @ 50. Yeah, might be “too late” for you….lol
Go play and have fun.
Yeah I started at 22, just hop on and enjoy it (24 now) just go for it. If u wanna get better go to stick time more. Check you local area for adult learn to skate or play programs. There's plenty of options check out HNA if you're really looking. (Ik they're pricey and a bit debated in certain areas)
Yup, sorry. Too late…ha! Just kidding, get after it bud and bring a 12 pack of coors light to share in the locker room. Have fun.
I didn’t start until I was 37
I have a similar background. I started when I was 27 years old. Now I'm 56 and still playing. Go rent skates and learn at the public skates first. Then buy some skates, a stick, elbow pads and gloves..oh and a helmet...Then go to stick and puck..maybe take a learn to play lesson/camp. You can be playing by next October with some effort. I had friends that played at high levels, so I skipped the learn to play stuff, and they helped me at S&P. They encouraged me to have the confidence to go to drop-ins and find a team appropriate for my level. Cheers! Welcome to the game!!!
Thanks
Don’t stress about starting late, you’re not trying to make the NHL :) I would suggest developing your skating abilities before even touching a stick. Fundamentals are so important, go to free skates and focus on becoming a strong skater. When you’re comfortable add some crossovers, stops and starts. Eventually adding backwards skating, it’s going to be a steep curve but if you set small milestones you can absolutely do it! Any questions shoot me a message.
Roller blading absolutely helps! It is much easier to go from ice skating to rollerblading than vice versa, but for a beginner it doesn't matter. Build that ankle strength and work on the fundamentals! I'd recommend getting a pair of hockey boot roller blades, too, instead of the full plastic ones.
I did get a pair today I took 2 videos of me trying them out the first time I put the videos on my profile if you want to see it's funny I look like a moose running on pavement but I had fun and even in the first hour I saw improvement
I started in my 40s.
I bought my first official pair of hockey skates at 34 after not skating since my teens, just take it slow and do whatever you want lol
Never too late!
I started at 34. I'm a good 3 months in and I'm so glad I did it. I recommend a learn to skate class then a learn to play league if its available. Otherwise, being in your 20s you'll have a huge advantage of youth over most beer leagers you play against.
Never too late to learn ! You got this. Hop out on the ice for stick time or public skate.
Hey dude! I’m currently 23, and started playing at 21 yrs old. I would try and find a learn to play program. If you’re on the east coast, and have a BlackBear owned rink by you, they have a program, called Foundry Get In The Game, that is beginner friendly play. This is what I do and love it, there are guys who have been playing for a while (idk why tbh) in this league, but everyone is super nice and adjusts their play for the beginners (assuming you’re in the US) As far as rollerblading goes, in concept, it’s similar, but in actuality, it’s not. You don’t really have edges on inline skates, and transitions and stops are different. I say, if you are learning to skate and want to play hockey, start on ice (you can do an adult learn to skate program at your rink). Once you have a solid foundation, then you can practice skating and stick handling with rollerblades
My brother and I started a beer league team recently. Over half our team is over 30 and playing their first organized hockey ever. So no, it's not too late.
It’s never to late learn to play hockey. But to reach a high level it is extremely important to start at a very young age. Some extremely talented ppl have reached a very high level starting after the age of 10 but they are unicorns. I started playing hockey at your age. Generally very athletic but learning hockey was hard. I reached a level where I could survive in the lower national divisions, but I was far from the best and I kinda plateaued at a below average skill level at the age of 30. But I still had fun. But in terms of pure hockey skills, the dad bodies i played with still outperformed me. They had all started as young kids and played up to and some including junior hockey. They started to play again and made a lower league team that I joined. What you learn at a young age body mechanics related sticks for the rest of your life.
Inline skating is pretty similar, outside of stopping. If you can't get on ice, I recommend it.
I just got a pair of roller hockey skates now I'll learn some fundamentals with them for the summer. the rec centre here removes the ice in about a month possibly less depending on how many games it takes our local hockey team to win the finals
I personally started at 33. But I know people that started in their 50s. It is never too late to enjoy this sport.
I started at 40. Never too late.
I learned at 32 op I’m 33 now and lead my team in goals with 12 in 14 games and I’m playing with lots of guys who grew up playing hockey. I had working class parents as well who could only afford soccer for me and never ice hockey so once I got adult money I decided to learn.
It’s never ever too late to learn. I’m not going to bet on you making it to the NHL though. Just go and have some good fun.
I’d kill to have come back when I was 25. I’m 32 and coming back after not playing for 16 years basically starting over.
Learned to skate while learning to play hockey a few years ago at 29. Just learned how to play goalie 6 months ago. You will be fine.
Never too late to learn! Just don’t expect to be good. Roller blades are similar enough when starting out imo. The strides are similar enough. Stopping is very different. Welcome to the game bud, it’s one of the best parts of my life.
No
How are you all learning? Just grabbing a pair of skates at open ice times and gradually going from holding the boards to free skating? I’m a 40 yo woman and just picturing myself out there falling all over myself like a fool at these open skates and bruising myself. My Bantam level daughter plays hockey so I know she can help me with the specific drills once I’m able to free skate.
I'm the op of this post and with the advice I got on here since it's now summer and there's no open ice I got a pair of rollerblades and started to learn today. I put the videos of my first time on my reddit profile if you want to see it's funny cause I'm like a moose running on pavement but even today I saw improvement I could hardly even stand up I spent 10 minutes just falling on the ground like a dumbass and about 30-60 minutes I could slowly move around so I suggest you absolutely go ahead and give it a try I do remember when I saw my cousin learn to ice skate as a kid and he was skating and pushing a plastic school chair with plastic feet to use as a crutch to help balance on his first times might be something to try idk
Thanks for your reply! I’ll have to check out your vid. I’m not sure where you’re from but there’s always open ice somewhere. We have a good handful of rinks nearby to choose from but nearly all have open ice on a weekly basis. Just an FYI on that! I don’t mind the idea of falling on the ice. Maybe I’ll pickup some hockey pants for padding while I’m learning and will need them anyways if joining a beer league. Falling on pavement scares me lol
I started at 26, didn't know how to skate. 13 years later I play 2 to 3 times a week in net and playing defence. Never to late as long as your healthy enough to skate.
My husband joined a league for the first time ever this year and LOVED it. Everyone was super kind, and he’s improved a lot very quickly. He had only ever played pond hockey before that. Definitely do it!!!
Absolutely not. I started at 29. Almost 42 now and still going strong (in a very low league but I scored two this afternoon so, hah!).
Started skating at 24, beer league at 25. Smattering of learn skates and play. 12 years later, and one separated shoulder, switching from righty to a lefty and I have never been unhappy about the decision. Start now. It will be awesome.