8 Truths Hockey Teaches You (Whether You Like It or Not)

Hockey isn’t just a game—it’s a relentless teacher. If you stick around long enough, it’ll drill some hard truths into you, whether you want to hear them or not. The best players don’t just learn these lessons—they live them. So, if you want to get the most out of the game (and yourself), keep reading.

1. Look After Your Equipment, and It Will Look After You

Your gear isn’t just stuff—it’s your armor, your tools, your lifeline. Take care of it, and it will take care of you. Wash it (seriously, your teammates will thank you), check it regularly, replace what’s worn out, and carry extras when you can. A broken skate lace or missing screw on your helmet shouldn’t derail your game. If you’re serious about chasing your hockey dreams, make sure your gear is in top shape to help you get there.

2. Tough Love is Still Love

Nobody likes being called out when they mess up. Even fewer people enjoy getting singled out in a room full of their peers. But guess what? Learning accountability and how to own your mistakes is one of the most valuable lessons hockey will ever teach you. The best players don’t point fingers—they look in the mirror first. Before you search for an excuse, ask yourself: Did I truly give my best effort?

3. Do the Little Things That Make You a Complete Player

Highlight-reel goals are great, but scouts and coaches are looking for players who do everything well. Being a complete player means putting in the work on skills that don’t always show up on the scoresheet—winning puck battles, making the right read, or yes, even blocking shots. Becoming a true student of the game is like sculpting a masterpiece. The details, the repetitions, the patience—it’s all part of turning your game into something special.

4. Don’t Be a Suitcase

Jumping from team to team, chasing greener pastures, and never sticking around long enough to grow? That’s how you end up with no real hockey home. Development isn’t a microwave—it’s a slow cooker. The best players trust the process, commit to their team, and put in the work where they are instead of constantly looking for an escape route.

5. The Best Ability is Availability

You can’t make an impact if you’re always on the sidelines. Taking care of your body, managing injuries wisely, and showing up—physically and mentally—is what separates the best from the rest. Being reliable is a skill, and the players who show up every day, ready to work, are the ones who get noticed.

6. If You’re Not Early, You’re Late

Coaches will tell you that early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. There’s nothing worse than waiting for a teammate who strolled in at the last minute while everyone else is dialed in and ready to go. Respect your team, respect the game, and respect the clock.

7. Want and Will: The Game Rewards the Relentless

Hockey doesn’t hand out participation trophies. The players who succeed are the ones who want it and are willing to do what it takes to get there. Think Mamba Mentality—relentless work, unmatched consistency, and a drive that never quits. Are you willing to push yourself when the finish line is nowhere in sight? The best players don’t just go hard—they go hard for longer.

8. This Game Doesn’t Owe You Anything

Hockey doesn’t care how many hours you put in, how many camps you attended, or how many goals you scored last season. You have to earn it every single day. The moment you think you’re entitled to something, this game humbles you fast. The best players stay hungry, stay humble, and put in the work—no exceptions. 🏒

 About the Author

Darrell Hay believes that hockey is the greatest game on Earth—partly because of the life lessons, but mostly because of the unmatched excuse for a Starbucks run. He’s spent a lifetime around the game, playing, coaching, and occasionally yelling at clouds about "players these days." He’s forgotten his skates exactly once—and that’s more than enough. 

What’s the best lesson you have learned from hockey? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I’d love to hear your thoughts!