My 4 year old just started hockey

[catman71]

he is in the "learn to skate" hockey program. We have leased him some new skates and he has some good gear and plenty of enthusiasm. It has been about 4 weeks and he doesn't use the walker anymore.

I know nothing else, can anyone give me advice on how to help him and be a good hockey dad?

[Hockey Guy]

First and foremost make sure that he is having fun. Do whatever you have to do to keep it fun for him. Don't force him to play if he doesn't feel like it on a certain day. Ask his coaches in the learn to skate program what you can do to help him. Watch games on TV or better yet take him to some. It can be H.S., college, or pro. It really doesn't matter what level as long as he sees the excitement of a game. It is especially good if he starts to follow a team that he likes and actually cheer for that team when they are playing. I also think that the best way to create interest is to take him to games of anyone he knows; like a cousin, brother, neighbor, or friend. If he sees someone he relates to playing he will know that he can do it as well.

That’s where I would start. The rest will take care of itself. Especially when the outdoor rinks have ice and he can go pretend he is Gaborik or Rolston at the park. Until then let him shoot the nerf ball around the house with the dog as the goalie! I think your involvement whenever possible is huge. Little boys love spending time with their dad and if hockey becomes your common interest it will create a love for the game because of the association to you.

[catman71]

thanks alot. I was not into hockey but he has a cousin that is and the other kids at daycare are in it. He actually asked to go, I do no pushing other than eating his vegtables.

We watch the local kids and some High school practices, It sure looks like hockey is my new pass time. The hunting and fishing take a beating, but watchin my kid, and having a coffee saturdays aint that bad either.

[Hockey Guy]

That’s great that you don’t push him. I have a friend that I play hockey with that has a son in hockey. I think it was the second year that his son was in hockey and he really loved it. One afternoon his son was screwing around instead of getting ready for practice and his dad got mad and yelled at him to quit screwing around and get into the car. The little guy wanted to quit hockey after that because he was relating getting yelled at to hockey! It’s funny how impressionable they are at that age. I took him about 3 weeks to get his son pumped to play hockey again and that was because he took him to a game. We walk a thin line as parents I guess. I have a 14 month old that I’m slowly introducing to the game right now. He has skates to hit the outdoor rinks this winter but right now it’s just batting around the ball in the house with little sticks. He likes to hit the dogs water dish around more than anything but I figure as long as he’s doing it with a hockey stick it can’t be all bad.

[buzzsaw]

I'll be getting my 3 1/2 year old boy out this winter behind the small chair and double bladed skates.

[Hockey Guy]

Buzzy,

Do they make those double bladed skates for adults? My game has gone down hill since I had to switch to single blades!

[buzzsaw]

OUCH, I don't think so. Maybe we'll see each other sometime down at the local park rink with our kids.

[PierBridge]

Great advice......

[genegodawa]

Man, that is awfully nice of you Buzz, to let your son use your skates.

[buzzsaw]

Good stuff Geno! I actually have a sweet pair of CCM 1152's.... I can't imagine there's another pair out there that's much nicer. I also mentioned double blades for kids... I heard from a buddy that is a no-no and you should start and always use single blades... so my plan has changed.

[RePete]

Keeping it fun is what its all about. Great advice!

You may want to teach him about figure skating too...the NHL might be that way by the time he's old enough to play there...lol