Rebuilding the Base: The Vital Role of Rec Hockey in a Healthy Youth Hockey Ecosystem

Youth hockey in North America is facing a critical inflection point. And when I say critical inflection point, I mean this is a HUGE deal that more people in our game need to start paying attention to.  We have taken a long, hard look at what is happening at the youngest ages of our game and we see a massive cause for concern for the overall growth and health of our sport.

We get the opportunity to work with numerous youth organizations. We also get the opportunity to communicate with leaders at National Governing bodies like USA Hockey and Hockey Canada along with the NHL.  And I think these groups have done a great job with outreach at the Learn to Skate and Learn to Play levels engaging families and bringing them into the game.  

USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, the NHL, and local youth associations have created fantastic initiatives like Try Hockey for Free programs, sponsored equipment subsidies, outreach to under-represented communities, and more creative projects that have brought more and more people to the ice.

However, one of the biggest gaps we see and we hear from all over North America is…

“OK, what’s next?” 

There is a fundamental and extremely important gap that exists in our developmental ecosystem between Learn to Play programs and where families go once they graduate.  

The growing focus on early specialization, high-level travel teams, and year-round commitment has unintentionally devalued, and in many cases, destroyed, recreational (“rec”) hockey—the foundation of the sport.

For clubs to thrive and for the sport of hockey to remain accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable, we must reinvest in and reframe the importance of strong in-house, recreational hockey programs.

And not just for kids at the youngest ages, but for kids at all ages.

Rec hockey isn’t just “for kids who aren’t good enough.” It’s a developmental pathway, a community builder, and a source of lifelong hockey players and fans. It’s a space where kids become great teammates, great people, and even great players, without the pressures that drive so many away from the sport too early.  

Now, more than ever, families are provided with seemingly endless opportunities for a more professionalized experience.  And with the devaluing and loss of rec hockey in too many places, sometimes their only option is the more professionalized and high-cost path.  Families are left making decisions induced by “FOMO” rather than enjoyment, which leads to heavy stress and ultimately, for many families, an easy off-ramp to find another sport at a lower cost and more attuned to community. 

Where clubs can start to build the foundation for the future of their association and the growth of their player-base is by building a structured, engaging progression from first steps on the ice to rec league play which creates a sense of momentum, accomplishment, and belonging.  From there, they can educate their families on travel hockey and the progression they can take once their player has graduated and is wanting more.

Clubs with great culture engage their newest families from the start, and help set the tone for the process ahead with terrific communication. Even families that have been through it before can benefit from consistent reminders about why they love having their kids involved in the sport.

Build confidence. Keep it fun. Celebrate small wins in development. Reinforce teamwork. Overcommunicate. Reward attitude, effort, competitiveness, and sportsmanship.

Key message to families: Rec hockey is not a dead-end. It’s a viable, valuable path with developmental opportunities—and many kids stay in love with hockey because of it.

Key message to clubs: Rec hockey is a vehicle for growth, retention, and enjoyment for the families in your community or the families in your rink.  “As many as possible, for as long as possible” is the mark of an organization that values long term growth and will continue to lead the way in growing our great game.

Why Rec Hockey Programs Are Critical?

Accessibility
The cost to play hockey is a barrier to entry. Ice time is expensive, travel is expensive, tournament fees, hotel costs, food on the road – it all adds up. But the youth hockey experience does not – and should not – be defined solely by the experience requiring that kind of financial commitment.

• Rec hockey provides a much more financially predictable commitment with lower costs involved. Lower cost = more families can participate.
• Rec hockey generally means no – or limited – travel, which is infinitely more sustainable for working parents and busy families.
• Rec hockey overall has fewer time demands, which means balance with other sports, academics, or family life.

Inclusion

• Rec hockey welcomes kids of all abilities and motivations.
• Rec hockey provides opportunities for late bloomers and multi-sport athletes.
• Rec hockey creates space for kids who love hockey but don’t want (or can’t afford) the weight of travel hockey.

Community and Culture

• Strong rec programs foster community pride and identity.
• Rec hockey keeps families at your rink longer—supporting events, buying concessions, becoming volunteers.
• Rec hockey builds future coaches, referees, and lifelong advocates for the game.

How Do You Make Rec Hockey Attractive?

• Build a culture that values and celebrates Rec Hockey
• Structure programming for fun and simplicity
• Educate families on the benefits of Rec Hockey
• Provide quality coaching and coaching education
• Create pathways (not pressure)

The Win-Win: Strong Rec Programs Help Your Travel Teams Too

It’s not either-or.

Strong Rec programs:

• Serve as feeder systems for travel programs.
• Keep more kids in the game longer, raising the overall skill level of your club.
• Allow late bloomers to shine—some of the best players take time to fall in love with the game.
• Prevent burnout among younger travel players by normalizing different levels of play.

Call to Action for the Leaders in Our Game:

Let’s reframe rec hockey not as “less than,” but as essential.

• Evaluate the current state of your in-house programming.
• Reinvest in rec coaching education and program design.
• Actively market and communicate rec hockey’s value to families.
• Include rec parents and players in your club culture—not just your top travel teams.

Hockey’s future doesn’t rest on the next AAA phenom. It rests on healthy rinks, sustainable programs, and happy, well-rounded kids. Rec hockey isn’t the bottom rung—it’s the foundation.

And if we build it right, we will have a much greater player pool and more kids will climb further than we ever imagined.