Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post, channeling my inner “regular dude who loves hockey” and sharing my experience with Duxbury Youth Hockey:
Alright, so, Duxbury Youth Hockey. Where do I even begin? It’s been a journey, let me tell you. My kid, little Timmy, he’s been obsessed with hockey since he could basically walk. He’d be scooting around the kitchen with a broom and a rolled-up sock, yelling “GOAL!” at the top of his lungs. So, naturally, we had to get him into some sort of program.
We looked around, checked out a few options, and Duxbury Youth Hockey just seemed like the right fit. It’s local, it’s got a good reputation, and, well, Timmy was stoked when we told him. The first step? Registration. Oh boy.
Getting everything filled out online was, let’s just say, an experience. It’s not rocket science, but there are so many forms! Medical history, waivers, contact info, you name it. I felt like I was signing my life away. Pro-tip: grab a coffee (or something stronger) before you start the registration process. You’ll need it.
Then there was the gear. Holy moly, the gear! Helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, skates, sticks…it’s a whole production. We went to the local hockey shop, and Timmy’s eyes were wider than saucers. He wanted everything. We ended up getting a decent starter kit – nothing too fancy, but enough to get him on the ice.
- Helmet (make sure it fits right!)
- Shoulder pads (check the sizing chart!)
- Elbow pads (same as above)
- Hockey gloves
- Hockey pants
- Shin guards
- Skates (get them sharpened!)
- Stick (start with a shorter one)
- Practice jersey
- Hockey socks
- Athletic supporter (don’t forget this!)
First practice? Chaos. Pure, unadulterated chaos. A bunch of little kids, barely able to stand on skates, wobbling around like baby giraffes. Coaches were herding them like…well, like a bunch of tiny, helmeted hockey players. But you know what? It was awesome. Timmy fell down, like, a million times, but he kept getting back up, grinning from ear to ear.
The coaches, I gotta give them credit, they’re saints. They’re patient, they’re encouraging, and they somehow manage to keep all those kids (mostly) under control. They start with the basics: skating, stopping, passing, and just getting comfortable on the ice.
It’s been a few months now, and Timmy’s progress is amazing. He’s still not scoring any highlight-reel goals, but he’s skating better, he’s learning the game, and most importantly, he’s having fun. He’s made some friends, he’s part of a team, and he’s learning valuable life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and, you know, not face-planting on the ice.
The games are a whole other level of excitement. Parents cheering, kids yelling, the occasional puck flying into the stands (watch out!). It’s loud, it’s crazy, and it’s a blast.
So, yeah, Duxbury Youth Hockey. It’s been a wild ride, but a good one. It’s a commitment, for sure – the early mornings, the gear hauling, the endless forms – but seeing Timmy out there, loving the game, it’s all worth it. I wouldn’t have started this who process and put him a team any different!
