ADM Kids

Q: The hockey season is longer than the seasons of other sports that my 7-year-old has tried. Should I be concerned?

A: Ice hockey is a unique sport that requires players to learn a completely new and foreign mode of locomotion (skating) to be able to participate. This is different from most sports, which only require the ability to run as a prerequisite. In those sports, children can already run, so they are able to jump right in and function. Ice hockey is unique in regard to specialized locomotion skills, which is why the season is longer. A four- to five-month hockey season is necessary for children to acquire the foundational skating skills that will allow them to succeed as they grow with the sport.

And while the hockey season is longer than some other youth sports seasons, when we look at the development of 8U hockey players, we want them to be physically active not just on the ice but also in other sports and daily activities. So be sure to encourage your children to play different sports during the other seven to eight months of the year.