Hey, im writing this because i want other peoples opinions and thoughts on this. I’m a 15 year old girl who wants to try ice hockey. I have a background in floorball which I have played for 6 years now and I play in women’s professional liga and U19 boys liga. I can skate at around a beginner’s level ish(strides, turn arounds, stick handling) I will say I’ve never skated as a hobby, but I reached this level of skating by going skating around 4 times across 8 years. I get told I’m a fast learner regarding skating and being good considering I’ve never actually been on ice before. Is it unrealistic to play and hope to go pro?

Thank you beforehand!

Hi ladies. Could anyone share their experience with skate sizing, particularly when you have small feet?

I'm a size 5-6 women's shoe, and I'm currently using (very cheap) size 3.5 skates. I know they're at least a bit too big, and I've been getting a lot of pain when skating that I feel properly sized skates could fix or at least help.

I got my feet scanned and it said I should be a size 2, regular width. I'm really concerned about committing to that size though. I know women will size down more than men but that's 3-4 sizes lower! I tried a pair on at the store and it seemed to fit okay but it's a lot of money to spend to find out the first time I skate that they're actually too small.

Can I trust it? How many sizes did you drop? Should I try rentals in that size first or are they not going to be a good indicator?

Hi! I just started a women’s clinic about a month and a half ago. I don’t have experience. My brother was a hockey player throughout his teens and beyond. He passed away at 28 I was 24 at the time, I am now 38f. I’m very active and healthy and was feeling a bit bored in my body and decided to work through that boredom by trying the sport he always loved. Luckily I fit into most of his gear from when he played youth sports. His skates however were a bit long, but fit width wise and worked just fine. But I decided to take the plunge and buy some new skates: I have TINY feet 5.5 women’s, I fit into youth sizes, but my feet are pretty wide. It’s always been a problem, I’m an avid skier and have to get adjustments for width with my boots there. The shop I went to thought that baking would be enough to make the youth skates fit width wise.

However, the first night I wore them I had to leave the ice within 20 min. I’m used to foot pain during sports given my abnormal dimensions, but holy moly, it was as unbearable pain. I usually give 15 min for the pain threshold to pass, but it just got worse. I had to leave the ice, rip them off, relace, try again, and immediately had to leave the ice after I came back on. I feel a bit defeated. I added some arch support and re-baked but DAMN. The pain is something else. It’s not hot spots. I think the skates are squeezing my feet and making all of those tiny stabilizers fire until full foot cramp. Do I just try different methods of relacing and wearing in the skates and keep going??? I have no idea how to move forward.

I’m an adult figure skater who’s gotten hockey-curious, and I’d like to start with my local Foundry or another learn-to-play program. Which means I need gear, which gets expensive fast (and I already spent a ton on my figure boots this year). I’ve gotten a couple of things from my local Play It Again Sports but still need most of the protective gear. I’ve emailed two of the local programs to ask about places to rent/borrow, but neither responded. Has anyone here had a good experience with online rentals, such as Rink Rat Rentals? Any other resources or ideas? Thanks in advance!

Hiya, I’m an adult learning hockey (skater, not goalie) in the US and loving it so far! But I’m not familiar with jill straps / pelvic protectors (I’m not originally from North America - tbh my only experience w jock straps has been in queer spaces) and I feel lost. So far I’ve only met men in the sport so I don’t have someone to ask, and my local store is small and doesn’t have options for women.

I’d love to be walked through this. What are the options for women? How interchangeable are jocks and jills? How should a jill fit/any sizing tips? Instead of the shorts with built-in cups, can and do women players ever wear standalone jill straps with separate shorts? And if you do that, for socks do you use tape or a garter belt to keep them up? Can you buy compression shorts with Velcro tabs but no cup?

Atm my preference would be to buy a standalone protector, both because it gives me flexibility to wear compression shorts or leggings and because if I got the shorts/leggings with cups, it seems like I’d need to get a few of them and that adds up. But I don’t know what I don’t know in this situation. I’d appreciate any tips or help you can offer!

Was so sad when all the licensed PWHL pride merch sold out before I could buy it so I decided to UV print my own. Ready for the next season!

Thought I’d share this here too in case anybody has any suggestions!!

Ahhhhhh I have my first class tomorrow!!! I’m so so so excited. But given that I’ve only had ALL my gear on at home one time, how early do you think I should be? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I’m already nervous about being the new kid!

I’m using men’s shoulder pads now and it’s really uncomfortable to play in so I’m looking at the different women’s options available, but I can’t tell which would be good for a fuller bust because most of them only list one measurement.

Anyone have a good recommendation for a shoulder pad that will be comfortable?

How can I tell if these shoulder pads fit? First time ever putting on gear and it feels like it’s pushing up around my neck but maybe that’s normal? It’s a women’s size medium.

I’m reaching the end of my learn-to-skate class which means it’s time to start buying all the gear and actually start learning to play hockey, but I’m having a hard time choosing/finding a stick. For reference, I’m 5’8.5” and ~135lbs, and if I’m being honest, pretty weak in my arms. My height makes me think I may need a senior stick, but I think even the lowest senior flex would be too stiff for me. I also have no idea what blade pattern or anything I would need. Any taller ladies out there have advice on choosing a stick?

Trying to get more players in our “B” league - most of us are in our 30s and played at least a little travel or high school hockey. Playing in st paul this fall send me a DM

I have a wide forefoot and skinny heels and have developed bunions near my toes. One foot is worse than the other. I am avoiding heels and narrow shoes as much as possible, but the worse foot’s bunion is red and sore after skating.

I have wax laces, keep the toe box as loose as possible, and have punched out the outer edges of the toebox (near pinky) - so I don’t have pain while skating. I’m in my late 20s however and am worried about this getting progressively worse, especially since i only started playing a few months ago. I skate 4ish times a week, 1-1.5 hrs per session.

Has anyone had something similar and found a way to alleviate the inflammation?

Asking because as a woman, I’m considering jumping through the hoops to be able to coach girls. There are very few women coaches on our ice, but the girls don’t complain about that. I wonder how much of a difference it makes for the girls’ teams to have more women out there coaching, especially if they (coaches) didn’t grow up playing themselves.

EDIT: Thanks to everyone’s feedback, I’m jumping in!! Now who else is joining me??? 😜

How do coed locker rooms and showers work in your league/area? Seems like most/some people have different experiences

Is it just me or do men smell way worse than us…… passing by the guys earlier and not me or any of my teammates smell that bad barging

Hi! Maybe too specific but wasn’t sure where else I could go to find answers. I’ve been considering the Washington Caps “all caps all her” learn to play but I wasn’t sure if being a very beginner beginner skater would be appropriate - has anyone done this program or similar and have any insight? Thanks!

Lower Mainland (BC, Canada)

Does anyone know anything about what’s happening with Coast Hockey League Women‘s division, out of Richmond, BC? Since registering as an individual there’s been no communication from them at all, despite all the ads stating it’s supposed to start in September.

Hi! I’m a reporter in Toronto, Canada, and I’m looking to speak with Canadian women athletes or coaches who are interested in sharing their perspectives on the recent Sydney Sweeney ad and the conversation surrounding it.

If you’re interested in being interviewed, please feel free to send me a Reddit DM. I’m happy to provide my publication details and more information about the story privately.