Pre-Season & Season-Long Checklist

Pre-Season Preparation & Ongoing Season Checklist for Hockey Families

Use this as a complete family checklist to get organized before the season starts and stay on track throughout the entire hockey season.

Pre-Season Checklist

1. Registration & Team Requirements

Confirm the following before the first practice:

• Player registration is completed.
• USA Hockey registration is completed, if required.
• League, association, or team paperwork has been submitted.
• Birth certificate or age verification has been provided, if requested.
• Medical release forms are completed.
• Emergency contact information is up to date.
• Parent/guardian contact information is accurate.
• Team app, email list, or communication platform is installed and active.
• Team dues, registration fees, or payment plans are confirmed.
• Volunteer requirements are understood.
• Fundraising obligations are reviewed.
• Code of conduct forms are signed for both player and parent.

2. Equipment Check

Before the season begins, inspect all equipment for proper fit, safety, and condition.

Required Player Equipment

• Helmet with cage or full-face shield
• Mouthguard
• Neck guard
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Hockey gloves
• Hockey pants
• Protective cup or pelvic protector
• Shin guards
• Hockey socks
• Skates
• Stick
• Practice jersey
• Game jerseys
• Game socks
• Skate guards
• Hockey bag
• Water bottle

Goalie Equipment, If Applicable

• Goalie helmet/mask
• Chest protector
• Goalie pants
• Goalie jock/jill
• Leg pads
• Blocker
• Catch glove
• Goalie skates
• Goalie stick
• Neck/clavicle protector
• Knee guards
• Goalie bag
• Goalie water bottle

3. Equipment Safety & Fit Review

Check the following before the first skate:

• Helmet is not expired or damaged.
• Cage or shield is secure.
• Chin strap fits properly.
• Mouthguard fits correctly.
• Skates fit properly and are sharpened.
• Skate blades are not cracked, rusted, or loose.
• Stick is the correct height and flex.
• Gloves do not have holes in the palms.
• Pads fully cover the body areas they are designed to protect.
• Straps, Velcro, buckles, and laces are working.
• Jerseys fit over equipment.
• Hockey socks are not torn.
• Neck guard is in good condition.
• Water bottle is labeled with the player’s name.

4. Clothing & Personal Items

Pack or prepare:

• Base layer or compression shirt
• Athletic shorts or compression pants
• Hockey socks/base socks
• Extra socks
• Warm-up jacket or hoodie
• Sweatpants
• Winter hat
• Gloves
• Slides or shoes for the rink
• Towel
• Deodorant, age appropriate
• Hair ties, if needed
• Extra laces
• Tape
• Scissors
• Small first-aid items
• Backup mouthguard

5. Skate Preparation

Before the first practice:

• Have skates sharpened.
• Check blade holders and rivets.
• Replace worn or frayed laces.
• Make sure skate guards fit.
• Break in new skates before games, if possible.
• Label skates with the player’s name.
• Keep a spare pair of laces in the hockey bag.

6. Stick Preparation

Prepare sticks before the season starts:

• Confirm the stick is the right size.
• Cut stick to proper height, if needed.
• Tape the blade.
• Tape the handle.
• Label the stick with the player’s name.
• Keep a backup stick, if possible.
• Check for cracks or soft spots.

7. Hockey Bag Organization

Set up the bag so items are easy to find.

Recommended bag layout:

• Helmet and gloves together
• Skates in side compartments or skate pockets
• Pads stacked in order of dressing
• Tape, laces, mouthguard, and small tools in a small pouch
• Jerseys and socks folded separately
• Water bottle stored upright
• Dirty laundry removed after every skate

8. Family Schedule Preparation

Before the season begins:

• Add all practices to the family calendar.
• Add all games to the family calendar.
• Add tournament dates.
• Add picture day, team events, and fundraisers.
• Confirm rink addresses.
• Plan travel time to each rink.
• Review school, homework, and activity conflicts.
• Identify who is responsible for transportation.
• Arrange carpool options when needed.
• Save coach, manager, and team contact information.

9. Health, Safety & Readiness

Make sure your player is ready physically and mentally:

• Schedule any required physical or medical clearance.
• Confirm allergies, medications, or medical needs with the coach or team manager.
• Pack required medications, such as an inhaler or EpiPen, if applicable.
• Discuss hydration before and after practices.
• Discuss proper nutrition before games.
• Reinforce sportsmanship expectations.
• Review locker room behavior.
• Review rink safety rules.
• Talk about effort, attitude, and being a good teammate.
• Make sure the player understands the importance of listening to coaches.

10. Parent Preparation

Parents should be ready for the season too:

• Review team communication expectations.
• Know who to contact for schedule questions.
• Understand playing time policies.
• Understand attendance expectations.
• Review parent conduct expectations.
• Confirm volunteer duties.
• Keep extra cash or cards available for tournaments, parking, or rink fees.
• Keep a folding chair or blanket in the car, if needed.
• Keep a small emergency kit in the car.
• Save rink addresses in GPS.

Ongoing Season Checklist

1. Before Every Practice or Game

Check the bag before leaving home:

• Helmet
• Gloves
• Skates
• Stick
• Backup stick, if available
• Mouthguard
• Neck guard
• Water bottle
• Jersey
• Hockey socks
• Full protective gear
• Extra laces
• Tape
• Towel
• Any required medication
• Confirm arrival time
• Confirm rink location
• Confirm jersey color, if applicable

2. After Every Practice or Game

Do the following after each skate:

• Empty the hockey bag.
• Air out all equipment.
• Hang jerseys and socks to dry.
• Remove wet base layers.
• Dry skates.
• Use soakers after drying blades.
• Refill water bottle.
• Check for missing items.
• Check for broken straps, cracks, or damage.
• Retape stick if needed.
• Wash underlayers and socks.
• Charge any required devices, such as team app notifications or phone.

3. Weekly Equipment Maintenance

Once per week:

• Inspect helmet, cage, and chin strap.
• Check gloves for holes.
• Check skate blades.
• Sharpen skates when needed.
• Inspect stick condition.
• Retape stick blade and handle.
• Check neck guard condition.
• Wash jerseys, socks, and base layers.
• Clean water bottle.
• Confirm upcoming schedule.
• Review practice and game attendance.
• Check team messages.

4. Monthly Season Maintenance

Once per month:

• Deep clean hockey equipment.
• Check if the player has outgrown any gear.
• Inspect skate fit.
• Inspect stick length and flex.
• Replace worn tape, laces, or Velcro.
• Review tournament plans.
• Confirm hotel or travel arrangements, if needed.
• Review player progress and goals.
• Touch base with coach if appropriate.
• Revisit school, homework, and hockey balance.

5. Tournament & Away Game Checklist

For tournaments or longer travel days, pack:

• Full equipment bag
• Backup stick
• Extra jersey, if available
• Both game jerseys, if applicable
• Extra hockey socks
• Extra base layers
• Extra regular socks
• Extra mouthguard
• Tape
• Scissors
• Extra laces
• Skate stone
• Snacks
• Water
• Sports drinks, if preferred
• Warm clothing
• Change of clothes
• Shower items, if needed
• Phone charger
• Hotel confirmation
• Rink addresses
• Team schedule
• Medical items
• Cash/card for food, parking, or admission

6. Player Habits During the Season

Encourage players to:

• Be on time.
• Be prepared.
• Respect coaches.
• Respect teammates.
• Respect officials.
• Keep the locker room clean.
• Carry their own bag when age appropriate.
• Pack and unpack their own equipment when age appropriate.
• Stay hydrated.
• Eat properly before games.
• Get enough sleep.
• Ask questions when confused.
• Work hard in practice.
• Be a good teammate.
• Win with class.
• Lose with class.

7. Parent Habits During the Season

Parents should:

• Check the schedule regularly.
• Communicate absences early.
• Keep sideline behavior positive.
• Avoid coaching from the stands.
• Respect officials and opposing teams.
• Support the coach’s expectations.
• Keep transportation plans organized.
• Help players stay responsible for their gear.
• Monitor fatigue, stress, and school balance.
• Celebrate effort, improvement, and teamwork.

End-of-Season Checklist

At the end of the season:

• Wash and fully dry all equipment.
• Inspect what can be reused next season.
• Make a list of gear that needs replacement.
• Clean and store skates properly.
• Remove tape from sticks if storing long-term.
• Return borrowed or team-issued equipment.
• Return jerseys or socks, if required.
• Confirm final team payments are complete.
• Save coach feedback or player evaluations.
• Register early for spring, summer, or next season programs if desired.

Simple Family Hockey Bag Checklist

Use this quick version before every skate:

• Helmet
• Neck guard
• Mouthguard
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Gloves
• Pants
• Cup/Jill
• Shin guards
• Skates
• Stick
• Jersey
• Hockey socks
• Water bottle
• Tape
• Extra laces
• Base layer
• Towel