This is a question we get asked frequently here at Tim Turk Hockey and we understand why. We know that kids love to play hockey all year round. It’s easy enough for kids to just strap on their skates and continue playing hockey outside of the normal winter league season. But is it good for them? Or more importantly, do they even need it?
As with most questions, the answer is nuanced and will depend on each family’s situation. For the most part, spring and summer hockey leagues aren’t always necessary for children. There shouldn’t be any concerns about your child not developing enough during the regular winter season. This article will discuss the pros and cons of playing spring and summer hockey, and why in this case, practice doesn’t always make perfect.
The Cons of Spring and Summer Hockey
As much as we love when kids want to play hockey, it’s easy to see the cons of signing them up for spring and summer leagues. The obvious negative is that it’s just too much hockey for a young, developing body. Hockey is a tough physical game and can take a serious toll on your body. Even without contact on the ice in minor hockey, bodies need time to heal in the offseason.
So why would playing other sports benefit children? Well, playing different sports can work different muscle groups and allows hockey-specific groups to rest and recover. For example, running and skating use different muscles, so taking a break from hockey to play soccer or lacrosse can be beneficial.
Burnout from Too Much Hockey
We just outlined the physical exhaustion of playing hockey year-round but there is also mental fatigue as well. Kids can get burnout and if you’re a parent, you’ll know that they can very easily get bored with something they do too often.
The last thing you want to happen is to push them to play more hockey and have them stop enjoying it altogether. This is why it is important to provide them with different options so they can get to see that there are more things to do than just play hockey!
Year-Round Hockey Prices
Finally, let’s not beat around the bush. Hockey is an expensive sport to play and it’s only going up in price. This is the single largest reason why many families are unable to put their kids into minor hockey. An eight-week spring hockey season can easily cost more than a full season of baseball or lacrosse.
If your kids are playing hockey in the spring and summer, it also means their gear will wear out faster. Any hockey parent knows this means more bills and more trips to the local hockey shop. Keep this in mind because playing hockey year-round, can really hit you hard in the wallet!
The Pros of Spring and Summer Hockey
There are definitely some benefits to playing hockey year-round. The first is obvious: your child will develop their skills at a faster pace. Repetition for young players is the key to perfecting skills and learning that muscle memory.
This muscle memory will serve them well in the future both on and off the ice. Why? Because these skills will be further developed and give them an edge over players who only play hockey for four or six months each year. Is it tiring and exhausting thinking about waking up for early morning practice in the summer? Of course! But it’s the sacrifices we make for our children and every second of it is well worth it!
Improved Team Chemistry
Here’s one thing that people often overlook: playing hockey year-round allows teammates to build better chemistry with each other. We’ve said it before, hockey is the ultimate team game. Being away from your teammates or linemates can throw off the rhythm of any player.
If they only play during the winter, then they are likely to play other sports in the spring and summer. While this is extremely beneficial (and we’ll get into why later in this article), it can also throw off the timing when they get back on the ice. Playing with the same players or at least some of the same players in the spring and summer can help build that team chemistry that can lead to championship victories when winter rolls back around!
For the Love of the Game
Believe it or not, sometimes kids just want to play hockey because it’s fun and they enjoy it. Most kids who play during the winter would jump at the chance to play more hockey in the spring and the summer after the winter season is over. Why? Because playing hockey is just really fun and it’s something they love to do!
Should we deter them from enjoying hockey? Absolutely not. But it is our job as parents to show them that there is more for them out there in the world of athletics. If they’ve tried other sports like lacrosse or baseball and still want to play hockey, then spring and summer hockey isn’t a terrible fallback option to have.
Staying on the Coach’s Radar
This benefit of playing hockey in the spring and summer is more of a political one. Look, youth/minor hockey is a business and we do need to realize that the leagues will try to get families to pay for extra hockey whenever they can. Some say spring hockey tryouts are just a couple of months of modified practices and camps with some games. There are far fewer players during the spring and summer so it is nearly impossible to have the same amount of games between teams.
It also doesn’t hurt to stay on the coach’s radar when tryouts for the winter season roll around…a part of the very competitive minor hockey landscape we live in.
