Play Hockey Until You Can’t: Maximizing Every Year in the Game

For young players, hockey can be a massive part of life. From early morning practices to road trips and big games, the sport becomes more than just an activity—it’s an identity. But as players get older, outside pressures and distractions creep in. School, work, social life, and even self-doubt start to make hockey feel like something that might not be worth the effort anymore.

Here’s the truth: if you still love the game and still have the ability to play, you should keep playing until you can’t anymore.

Of course, there are legitimate reasons to step away—maybe your passion fades, maybe career or personal obligations become too important, or maybe injuries make it impossible. But if those things aren’t holding you back, you owe it to yourself to play as long as you’re eligible. Whether it’s minor hockey, junior, or even beyond, you’ll never get this time back.

Why Should You Keep Playing?

1. You’ll Never Regret Playing, But You Might Regret Quitting

It’s easy to feel burned out or frustrated with ice time, coaching decisions, or team politics. But take it from former players—many of them say they wish they had played just one more season. The structured practices, the intensity of games, the thrill of competition—once you leave, it’s hard to find that same feeling anywhere else.

2. The Game Keeps You in Shape—Physically and Mentally

Hockey keeps you moving. Whether you’re a kid in minor hockey or an older player in junior, playing keeps you in peak physical condition. But beyond that, the sport also provides mental discipline, teaching you how to handle adversity, work within a team, and push through challenges. These skills stay with you for life.

3. You Keep Getting Better

Some players assume that if they haven’t made AAA or been scouted by a certain age, they’re “done.” That’s simply not true. Players develop at different rates, and one more season might be the one where everything clicks. Every practice, every game, every year gives you a chance to improve. Quitting too soon closes doors you might not even realize were open.

4. The Friendships and Experiences Are Priceless

The relationships built in hockey are special. Whether it’s inside the dressing room, on the bench, or on road trips, these are friendships that last a lifetime. Many players who quit early don’t just miss the game—they miss the people, the moments, and the sense of belonging.

5. Because One Day, You Won’t Have a Choice

At some point, you’ll play your last game. Whether that’s at 12 years old because you decided to quit, or at 21 when your junior eligibility runs out, or later at the college or pro level—eventually, the game tells you that you’re done. Until that day comes, why walk away from something you love?

The Only Real Reasons to Stop

If hockey truly doesn’t make you happy anymore, if life priorities demand your full attention, or if injuries prevent you from playing, then stepping away is understandable. But if none of these things are forcing you to quit, keep going. Play another year. Keep competing. Keep improving.

Because once it’s over, it’s over. And you don’t want to look back wishing you had laced up your skates just one more time.

Ed Garinger is a seasoned hockey coach, mentor, and educator with over two decades of experience. A native of the Bruce Peninsula, he played minor and junior hockey before earning his BA and BEd from Nipissing University, where he also competed in varsity volleyball and extramural hockey.

Coaching since age 14, Ed has balanced his teaching career with an extensive coaching and development portfolio, working with players at all levels. He has coached in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, led youth and high school teams, and served as a learning facilitator for the OMHA. His experience includes elite programs like the OHL/OHF U15 and U16 camps, U17 Regional Camps, and Hockey Canada’s Skills Academy.

A Hockey Canada HP1-certified coach, USA Hockey-certified coach, and Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), Ed is committed to ongoing professional development and continually seeks to expand his knowledge to better serve players and coaches. Now based in Orillia, he enjoys passing on his passion for hockey to the next generation.