Hockey-wife

Have you always been this passionate about hockey? you might ask when you spot me in the stands every Sunday, surrounded by snacks and a blanket.

Surprisingly, no! I was completely green on hockey before I met Devin. To begin with, it took YouTube videos and studying up on some rules (mainly to impress my guy), but now I know a decent amount. I’ve learned that the speedy prison-striped ice princesses raising their arms so often are called “refs,” and that you’re allowed to give a punch or two (just to give the game some extra “crunch,” I guess…btw, am I the only one who didn’t know that a fight is not just allowed during a professional hockey game but totally normal and scarily common?!)

What, exactly, is a hockey wife? Have you heard the expression “dance mom”? If not, I’ll explain: I’m referring to those moms who show up to every competition with extra hairspray and a “Let’s go Maddie!”-poster –the ones so dedicated they’ll threaten to punch a judge if results are disagreeable. I found out this is me… except I’m not a mom, obviously… and Dev isn’t dancing (I mean, it sure looks like it), and that’s what makes me hockey-wife. 

The fact is I married into a Canadian-American Hockey Family. Devin had experience on the ice since age 2 (just imagine those precious toddler feet in tiny skates!) and his mom spent years on the ice as a figure skater. 

And yet my man has still not seen me in skates. Not because we don’t want to, but, you know, COVID and all. The only hockey I’ve ever played is the PE kind on wooden floors. It was actually super fun back in middle school, with a yearly tournament dressed up in costumes… boy, I was dedicated. And even though I’m no Bambi-on-Ice, I also know I’m not some graceful ballerina, either….

Hockey (or ice hockey, as we Danes call it) seems to combine several elements from different sports: 

1) One of those ball-in-the-net-games that we all know and love.

2) Ice skating as the mode of transportation.

3) A fencing match using sticks almost the size of the players. 

4) With the pressure and the adrenaline rushing, it can (and will!) turn into a little boxing match, and the stripes won’t stop it before it leads to bigger injuries. A black eye or a little “kæberasler” (jaw-rattler, I guess I’ll translate it as) is just good TV.

It makes sense then why I always get a little anxious when Dev’s on the ice. (He’s there mostly for fun these days, considering the 6 diagnosed concussions he earned pursuing a collegiate hockey career + a much needed hip surgery.) To make it clear, he’s not the one rattling jaws; he’s a goalie who, unfortunately, has taken a few pucks to the head. 

But when I heard the cost of a complete hockey setup? Probably the feeling of getting a puck to the face.

Check out the equipment list below–a bunch of stuff I never would’ve thought of. This includes the specific items a goalie needs, such as goal pads, chest and arm protectors (which will make you look like a fluffy marshmallow), and some pretty thick gloves to block and catch (and lessen the chance of your fingers being chopped off with razor blade skates).

1. Compression pants: $60
2. Jock/cup: $70
3. Socks: $25
4. Knee pads: $100
5. Pants: $250
6. Chest protector: $450
7. Jersey: $40
8. Mask: $500
9. Stick: $200
10. Skates: $350
11. Pads: $900
12. Gloves: $350
13. Blocker: $250

Total: $3,545

But don’t worry, maybe you can do without the bag, which will save you about $100, and see if you can find an alternative bag big enough to carry another human in it.

The cost of entrance can prevent a lot of people from starting the sport. But I know that some organizations (LA kings as an example) offer a gear starter pack and cheaper practice (also called clinics or workshops) to less privileged families. Hopefully this will open up hockey to more kids and diversify the scene. If you know any kids who are interested, you can read more here.

Kys og kram,
Victoria Liv (the hockey wife)