Learn to Play Hockey Vancouver

Learn to Play – Adult Hockey Program

The Learn to Play program for adults consists of 14 on-ice sessions designed to introduce you to the game of hockey in a safe and supportive environment.

• First session (October 5 or October 8): Meet-and-greet to get to know fellow players, check gear, and cover safety and hockey basics.
• Then we’ll take a short Thanksgiving break.
• October 15 and October 19 will mark the start of a 10-week plan of hockey basics, with each class building on the last. The final week of the plan will feature a controlled scrimmage to put everything together before moving into games.
• After the 10 weeks, you’ll play 3 full games with coaches, referees, and scorekeepers to experience what it’s like to play in ARCHL, our adult recreational co-ed hockey league.

This program is perfect if you’re new to hockey or looking to learn and sharpen your basic skills. It’s not intended for players who aren’t interested in developing fundamentals, but it’s a great place to meet future teammates and enjoy the game.

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New This Year

• Goalie instruction! Goalies get one structured class per week plus optional drill sessions if space allows.

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Teams, Coaching & Costs

• Black Crows – West End 5:30 PM ($575)
  Coached by mentors from previous classes
• White Owls – West End 8:45 PM ($575)
  Coached by the existing coaching team
• Black Bears – West End 10:15 PM ($540)
  Coached by the existing coaching team
• White Sharks – Kerrisdale 10:15 PM (players) ($540)
  Coached by a new coach
• Goalie Instruction – Kerrisdale 10:15 PM ($400)
  Dedicated goalie program sharing ice with the White Sharks

Register here

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Jersey Included

All players receive a customized HockeyTourney reversible jersey and a pair of hockey socks.
Optional upgrade: embroidered pro-cut jerseys (two singles for and additional $120).

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Registration & Attendance

• All players must sign up through TeamSnap to register and set availability.
• Missed a class? You may request to make it up in another session if space permits.

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Important Notes

• Space is limited. If the team that works best for your schedule is full, please try another team or wait until our January session.
• Swapping between teams is difficult, so please choose carefully before registering.
• Registration link will be available on Monday, September 8 at 9:00 AM PST.

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This program is about starting your hockey journey (or adding extra ice to your path) in a fun, inclusive way.

Start playing hockey today with little to no experience. This program is designed as a learn-to-play hockey program for beginners or new players. A minimal level of skating is required. We expect that you can glide independently on each foot. If you are not comfortable you must be willing to supplement your hockey training with public skating practice or ice skating lessons. Turning and stopping are not required but are highly desired.

Do you currently play floor hockey or roller hockey? This is a great class to transition to ice hockey.

Maybe you never played growing up? There are an overwhelming number of skills to understand before you truly enjoy playing hockey. We promise when you get there it’s a happy positive place. There is A LOT of falling in the beginning. That’s what the gear is for.

Every individual or group of students will learn differently so we keep a high-level plan but tweak it every session to provide the best training for new players.

Unlike children players new to the adult learning game can be of varying skill levels and athleticism so we do our best to make it useful for everyone.

Join with a co-worker, partner, family member or anyone like you who is new to hockey.

Hockey Class

This course is for beginners, it is not a reason for experienced players to get some extra practice time. Players get the most out of a class when everyone has similar skills. When there is a clear separation of skills the coach may split the group up or tweak the drills so no one is left behind.

Skills covered are:

• skating forwards and backwards (sculling/c-cuts, stride)
• turn and stop
• edge control
• stopping
• crossovers
• shooting (wrist,snap slap)
• passing
• stickhandling and shooting
• puck control
• tight or quick turns
• transitions from front skating to back and vice versa
• positional play (opposing team drills, Neutral zone, blue lines, goal lines, hockey rink setup)

We currently run drop in games, TWO tournaments a year, and a league ARCHL which runs all year.

What you get in our program learn to play in Vancouver?

• 11 Sessions + 3 games with refs
• Custom Hockeytourney reversible jersey + socks
• Starts Sunday October 5, 2025
• Start times for the classes are Sundays 5:50 PM, 8:45 PM, 10:15 PM at the West End Rink or Wednesdays 10:15 PM at Kerrisdale and are 1.25 hours each
• Games with 2 referees and scorekeeper
• Each session will include at least one coach. Full gear is mandatory
• Players will learn different skating, stick-handling and shooting skills. Taught using drills based on a progressive plan
• Fully inclusive for Adults, Minors may participate with parental approval.

Hockey Gear

First thing you need is gear. You can check out your nearest vancouver hockey shop like Canadian tire, buy online or buy used. If you are smaller stature novice or intermediate gear is much cheaper. Contact us if you need a guide we are happy to help!

1. Skates
2. Shin Guards
3. Hockey Socks (Included in program fees )
4. Hockey Pants
5. Jock or Jill
6. Shoulder Pads
7. Elbow Pads
8. Gloves
9. Black and White Jersey (Included in program fees )
10. Helmet
11. Stick