Here are some helpful resources for the beginning hockey player, including places that you can go skating, learn how to play hockey, practice your skills and purchase equipment.
Public Skate
Public skating sessions are usually 90 minutes and are a great way to work on your skating skills. Each of these rinks offer public skating sessions.
- McFetridge Sports Center (Chicago - north side)
- Morgan Park Sports Center (Chicago - south side)
- Millennium Park (Chicago - downtown; winters only; free)
- Addison Ice Arena (Addison)
- The Edge Ice Arena (Bensenville)
- Robert Crown Center (Evanston)
- Franklin Park Ice Arena (Franklin Park)
- Fox Valley Ice Arena (Geneva)
- Glenview Ice Arena (Glenview)
- Heartland Ice Arena (Lincolnwood)
- IceLand Skate Complex (Niles)
- Ridgeland Commons Recreation Complex (Oak Park)
- Arctic Ice Arena (Orland Park)
- Oakton Ice Arena (Park Ridge)
- Canlan Ice Sports (Romeoville)
- Skatium Ice Arena (Skokie)
Stick & Helmet / Stick & Puck
Stick & Helmet sessions (sometimes called Stick & Puck) are like a public skate, but you are allowed to work on stickhandling and shooting. You are required to provide your own helmet, gloves, skates and stick. Some rinks do not provide pucks, so you should bring those too.
- McFetridge Sports Center (Chicago - north side)
- Morgan Park Sports Center (Chicago - south side)
- Addison Ice Arena (Addison)
- The Edge Ice Arena (Bensenville)
- Fox Valley Ice Arena (Geneva)
- Center Ice of DuPage (Glen Ellyn)
- IceLand Skate Complex (Niles)
- Canlan Ice Sports (Romeoville)
Adult Hockey Lessons
There are several rinks that offer hockey lessons to adults who have never played hockey, and have little skating experience. You will definitely want to take lessons before joining a beginner league.
- Johnny's Ice House (Chicago - downtown)
Read the review of their Hockey 101 class here
Read the review of their Hockey 102 class here - Franklin Park Ice Arena (Franklin Park)
Read the review of their I.N.T.L. Adult Hockey Clinic here - Skatium Ice Arena (Skokie)
Read the review of their Novice Adult Hockey Class here
Read the review of their Intermediate Adult Hockey Class here - Morgan Park Sports Center (Chicago - south side)
- Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion (Buffalo Grove)
- Robert Crown Center (Evanston)
- Fox Valley Ice Arena (Geneva)
- Arctic Ice Arena (Orland Park)
- Canlan Ice Sports (Romeoville)
Beginner Hockey Leagues
Some leagues are better than others for new hockey players. Below are appropriate leagues for beginning hockey players.
- Franklin Park Original Six League - a mix of C-level and D-level players - read the review here
- Heartland Novice Beginner Hockey League - D-level players only
- Buffalo Grove Leisure League - for players with less than 3 years of hockey experience
- Chicago Outdoor Hockey League (COHL) - has multiple D-level divisions located near Chicago - read the review here
- Johnny's Ice House 3-on-3 Beginner League - for players with two or less years of experience - read the review here
- Fox Valley Ice Arena REC League - for players with less than five years of experience
Hockey Pro Shops
Hockey specialty stores are great because they have a vast selection of equipment and knowledgeable staff that can make recommendations and ensure a proper fit.
- Gunzo's Hockey Headquarters
(locations in Chicago, Morton Grove and River Forest) - Jerry's Hockey Warehouse
(locations in Alsip, Crystal Lake, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg & West Dundee) - Total Hockey
(locations in Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glenview, Northbrook and Schaumburg)
Sporting Goods Stores
General sporting good stores will not have the same selection as hockey shops, and you are pretty much "on your own" when it comes to selecting and fitting equipment. But many times you can find great deals on hockey gear, so these shops are definitely worth a look.
- Dick's Sporting Goods - has a decent selection of hockey gear, including clearance items
- Sports Authority - not the strongest selection of hockey gear, but you might find a deal here
- Play It Again Sports - has used hockey gear which can usually be found for very cheap
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is the governing body of hockey in the United States. Many rinks will require you to be a member of USA Hockey if you want to take lessons or join a beginner league. One benefit of membership is that you receive supplemental insurance if you are injured.
Broken link? Outdated information? Want to recommend an arena or store? Please let me know. You can contact me at sjb AT puckjunk DOT com.
