Hockey is about grit and determination, more than grace and beauty. That's not to say there isn't any grace in hockey, but to be good as a team, you have to outwork your opponents, grind in the corners, fight for position in front of the net,
(available, with some other good shots here) and fight through plenty of contact, whether you play in a checking league, or, like most adult rec-leagues, a "no" check league (the strength of the quotations varies depending on the league). Not to mention, there are inevitably a couple guys who think they are still trying out for the NHL, and think brawling will help. So you gotta be willing to stick up for yourself. Sometimes a little scrap is good to get the blood flowing. Not many pretty boys; hockey players are notorious for being a little low-brow. Which is fine. That's how we like it (says the lawyer in his downtown office . . .)
But, to get all the equipment, it's gonna cost you. For new, intermediate-level stuff, you're looking at around $1000 for everything. If you want the newest hottest skates ($600), the cool 1-piece stick ($200), and fancy protective equipment (helmet, shield, shinguards, pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, all at $100+) you can spend a lot more (God help you if you want to play goalie . . .). Which explains why a lot of folks are still skating on their 16 year-old skates that are too big for them, and using elbow pads that are held on by osmosis.
You haven't paid your league fees yet. Our league runs about $600 for the winter season. Want to practice? $10+ per pick-up (or "drop-in") game, unless you live in Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan where the ponds freeze and they put outdoor rinks on fields in the winter where you can play for free. That doesn't work here in San Francisco and Oakland. Broken stick? A couple of times a season (makes most of us re-think that fancy 1-piece). Tape? A couple of bucks a roll. Skate sharpening? Check. Bridge toll? Yup. Your week to bring the beer? No wonder my wife raises the occasional eyebrow.
So, blue-collar sport, white collar price tag.
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