When Should Kids Start Hockey?

If you’re thinking about registering your child for hockey in Toronto, you might be wondering where to start.

This will be our family’s very first hockey season, and I wanted to share what I’ve learned so far in case it helps other parents.

My son will turn six this November, and he’ll be joining a U7 hockey program this season. For the 2026–2027 season, children born in 2020 or 2021 are eligible for U7 hockey. Younger children born in 2022 or 2023 can usually register for Little Raiders Hockey School instead.

Registration is currently open, and the season will run from October 2026 to April 2027.

How Much Does U7 Hockey Cost?

For our local program, the registration fee is approximately $500 for the entire season, from October 2026 to April 2027.

The fee for the Little Raiders Hockey School program is $350.

Of course, the registration fee is only the beginning because then you have to buy all the equipment. 😂

What Equipment Do Beginners Need?

One of the biggest surprises for us was how much equipment even a beginner needs.

We’re still in the process of buying everything, but a full set usually includes:

• Helmet
• Neck guard
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Hockey gloves
• Hockey pants
• Shin guards
• Hockey socks
• Jersey
• Skates
• Hockey stick
• Equipment bag

Basically, a small child needs to carry what looks like an entire sports store.

This is what the full outfit looks like.

Our Experience as First-Time Hockey Parents

My son started taking skating lessons more seriously last winter. After several months of lessons, he can now skate on his own.

(There was one lesson when I stopped counting how many times he banged his bum on the ice after eight… all within 30 minutes.)

He’s still a little wobbly, but he’s definitely becoming more confident.

The first time we went to the rink, I was surprised by how many children his age were already skating really well. For a moment, I wondered if we had started too late.

(Maybe that’s just the Korean mom in me—always feeling like we should’ve done it already!)

But I’ve realized that every child learns at their own pace, and the most important thing is that he’s having fun.

My son spent plenty of time lying on the ice and wiggling like an earthworm after a rainy day, and that’s perfectly okay. 😂

Tips Before You Register

If you’re planning to register your child, check whether the program offers an early bird discount.

For our program, registering before the end of July saved us 10% on the registration fee. I registered through Spordle.com.

They will also ask for proof of residency and your child’s birth certificate to complete the registration.

I was actually sweating at this part because we were registering my son in a different city right next to ours since his friend plays there. I wasn’t sure if we would be allowed to register as outsiders.

I even tried using his friend’s parents’ home address… not very proud of myself.

But it turns out that you don’t have to live in that city. You can just enter your actual home address and upload proof of residency, such as a utility bill.

So yes, all that sweating was unnecessary.

Final Thoughts

I honestly still have no idea what to expect. All I know is that the season starts in a couple of months, and we need to get all the gear on the checklist.

Honestly, I could leave all of this up to my husband since he played hockey throughout his school years. But he is not quick enough. Or maybe I’m just too quick to jump in. Oh well. As I said, I live with a constant “We should’ve done it already!” mindset.

He can come shopping with us and choose the helmet brand, but I’m the one who has to take care of all the general stuff. (And thanks to me, we got the 10% early bird discount. 😉)

I still have a lot to learn about hockey, but I’m excited to see my son playing and having fun. 

I hope this post helps other parents who are thinking about signing their child up for hockey.

I’ll continue sharing what we learn along the way.