Winner: The Ford Expedition & The Ominous Odor

With three kids in hockey it was bound to happen. One spring not so long ago when the weather heated up, we were amazed to find a conspicuous odor in the back of our Ford Expedition. We searched and searched to “get the stink out” and tried everything from Bounce sheets to Febreze and couldn’t seem to pin point the Ominous Odor. Was it remnants of an old hamburger from a post-game meal eaten on the way home from the rink? No the stink was too bad. Did the 5-year-old spill milk on the carpet and now we were living in the sour world? No, and the mystery continued—until we were ready to sell the car and give up.

One day we were packing for an out-of-town trip when I couldn’t take it any more. Even the gas mask from the local Army/Navy store wouldn’t help the ride. We inadvertently lifted up a flap that covers a space between the back seat and the cargo area and almost fainted from the hidden treasure inside. After talking my wife out of calling 911 and sifting through the plastic army men who had given their life in that crevasse, we found a hockey glove. Yes, a long lost hockey glove who tried to tell us he was back there by giving off every last bit of sweaty hockey funk he could. The celebration began as if we were Stanley Cup champs and this was the game winning goal in game 7. Finally we can get to the rink in peace.

–Tim

Runners Up

1982 Buick Regal Box, Color Brown: Nine Players, Nine Bags

When I was in high school, this was my first car and we fit nine players and equipment for each player in the car/truck with the help of a bungee cord, of course. It was a short trip from Champlin Park High School to the Ice Forum in Champlin, MN, but it was frigid as we didn’t have enough room to roll the windows up and it was in the dead of winter. –Kelli

Dodge Caravan: Space to Nap

After researching, five years ago we switched from a giant 88 Suburban truck to the Dodge Caravan. I have a son that is on a travel team, a husband that coaches a house team and a daughter that is along for the fun. We can actually fit four hockey bags stacked in the way back if needed. We loop the bag handles around the rear seat head rests so they don’t fall out when you open the hatch.

Usually, the four of us are in there with one equipment bag, puck bag, water bottles, coaches bag with tools and first aid kit, the dry erase board all in the way back. Plus the car emergency milk crate with jumper cables, a tire air compressor and a tool box. The sticks go along the side. Luggage goes in the third seat, easily accessible with blankets and pillows.

It costs no more then $40 to fill the tank when gas prices are high. All the seats recline. When the van is emptied at the hotel, we have plenty of room to recline the seats or lay the very back where the bench seat lays flat and we can take naps between games (which my daughter and I often do for those double headers). All of us are very comfortable and there is plenty of room for the stuff. AND our clothes bags don’t have to mingle with the stinky hockey equipment. Plus there are rear window vents that let out the rear odor. We love it and have racked up some serious mileage. –Shari

Dodge Grand Caravan: Six Bags, One Tailgate Party

Like I say to goalies, “Dodge this.” Hands down, the Dodge Grand Caravan is the best vehicle for hockey bags. Push a button on the key fob and the tailgate opens up for hockey players with tired arms and full hands. The floor of the van is at waist level, so no need to bend down into a trunk to drop off or pick up the hockey bag. Sticks fit easily right down the middle, no matter how long they are. Take the bags out and pull up the rear seat in the back-facing position so it faces outward for a tailgate party or a picnic! CD/DVD satellite radio options liven up the after-game picnic or party. I can fit six hockey bags easily in the Caravan and more if necessary. One goes, we all go! I love my Dodge Caravan and still have it, despite being an empty-nester! –Nina

Honda Accord: Goalie Pads Inside

I have a Honda Accord and it’s perfect for hockey. It has a roomy trunk that can fit up to three hockey bags (goalie shin pads have to rest on someone’s lap). There’s also a door in the middle of the back seat so hockey sticks can fit through. It’s a great design and I get way better gas mileage than all the parents with SUV. –Tanya

Honda Element: Doubles as a Doghouse

Honda Element, with the back seats removed, guess what? Rubber flooring! You can stack about 12 bags with no problem! I have one back seat removed, recline both passenger seats and the existing back seat. This leaves me a huge space for my bag, my sticks and I still have plenty of room. My two dogs ride with me to my games and then chill in the car (windows cracked, water available) when the weather is acceptable! I have taken the other back seat out and traveled to tournaments. Sleep in the back and put your hockey bag on the roof! –David

Saab 9-3: Three Bags, Four People, 33 mpg

I drive a Saab 9-3 and I can fit hockey bags in it for myself, my 9-year-old and my 4-year-old—plus a puck bag and sticks (mine have to go inside the cabin). I get 33 mpg on a bad day on the highway, and my wife and kids can all fit in the car even with all the above mentioned gear. –Chris

Scion xB: Compact Does the Job of an SUV

Well, I am a mom of a first time Mite hockey player and until now, I never realized why most hockey parents own SUVs. Don’t worry, I have the perfect little car for the big job though. I drive a Scion xB and I can fit two hockey bags and sticks in the trunk with seating for five. I haven’t had to worry about tournaments just yet, but if I do, don’t worry, the backseat flooring is enough space for luggage and we’ll still make it. You can’t beat a compact car that can still do the job of an SUV. I love it! –Angela

Editor’s Note: Thanks to all the readers who shared their stories about the challenges of driving with bulky, smelly hockey bags (and possibly bulky, smelly kids!).

The purpose of the clinic is to demonstrate how efficient practices can be run with 50 kids using the ADM guidelines. The goal is to get the message about ADM back to each and every association so the ADM concepts can be embraced across the Metroplex, regardless of affiliation.

FOX sports will be on hand to tape the session and conduct interviews for a future broadcast that will spotlight the ADM and hockey in DFW.

Associations can  participate by selecting four, current squirt players, (1999 or 2000 birth years) to participate in the on-ice clinic. These players do not have to be the most skilled players and should be selected on their ability to work hard, and follow instructions. Associations should submit the names of the four players via email, to Keith Andresen (KAndresen@dallasstars.com) by Friday January 22, 2010.

All players should wear full equipment and will be given a USA Hockey practice jersey for participating.

Schedule of Events:

• 12:00 t o 1:00 p.m. – Dallas Stars FULL TEAM on-ice practice open to the public.
• 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. – ADM practice with the Dallas Stars coaching staff and USA Hockey. (players to check-in no later than 12:30.)
• 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. – Meet and Greet with Joe Doyle of USA Hockey to learn more about the ADM.

There are 3 steps to Dallas Stars One Goal programs:

Kids First -This is a free 5-week program for kids 4 to 8 years of age. The first week is an orientation session to distribute a full set of equipment for players to use, and teach the purpose of each piece and how to put it on and wear it. In weeks 2 through 5 players are on the ice learning basic fundamentals of the game from Dr Pepper StarCenter staff instructors. While it certainly takes longer than 5 weeks to gain the skills required to play hockey, the goal is to make sessions so much fun that the kids can’t wait to come back.

Skate School and Hockey 101 – Kids must have some basic skating skills to enjoy playing hockey. For those players needing work on their skating there is a 10-week semester of Skate School. This allows players to develop basic skating skills. Once these are achieved players are moved into Hockey 101, which continues to focus on skating but also adds puck skills. Drills and small games are organized to allow players to learn basic passing, shooting and stickhandling skills.

Mini-Mites – The Mini-Mite program is for players who have graduated from Hockey 101 and are ready for a team environment. The program offers skill development practices as well as cross-ice games where participation is emphasized. Each player is encouraged to handle the puck as many times as possible each session. Creating a fun, fast paced environment where everyone has an opportunity to touch the puck not only develops skills but also passion and enthusiasm.

In order to make these programs affordable the Stars offer the Shooting Stars package, which includes a full set of hockey equipment (including skates) for the players to keep. The package also includes one semester of Skate School and two semesters of Hockey 101. The cost is only 4 monthly payments of $99.

Editor’s Note: One Goal is a cooperative marketing effort between USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, the NHL, NHLPA and several hockey equipment manufacteres to encourage 4-8 year old children to  play hockey. For more information regarding the Stars OneGoal programs please contact your local Dr Pepper StarCenter location or check us out at www.drpepperstarcenter.com.

Market blitzes are conducted by hosting state-wide “Try Hockey for Free” clinics with the goal of inviting potential new players and their parents to the rink. The events in Massachusetts and California will see over 500 new players come out and try youth hockey. For more information on how you can host a similar event to grow your association, please click here (pdf).

USA Hockey is seeking at least 200 rinks offering a free trial of hockey on Saturday, Jan. 30. All hosting rinks are required to hold the free trial at a consistent time of 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. local time. The final goal is to get as many first-time players on the ice and later transition them to each host site’s full-time programs. For more information, please click here (pdf). For more information about Hockey Weekend Across America, please click here.

So what’s the solution? Give it away.

Not all of it, of course, but the industry needs to create a new supply of players in North America. The rate of people taking to the ice in Wilcox, Sask., or Roseau, Minn., isn’t going to change; it’s New York City or downtown Toronto where things can grow and, fortunately, the foundation is there.

One initiative, supported by the NHL, NHLPA and major companies in the industry, is the OneGoal grassroots movement. The premise here is to get more kids playing hockey by offering them low-cost opportunities to try on the gear, get out on the ice and play. Since hockey is expensive as a sport, parents need to know if their kids actually like playing, or just think they want to play before tossing their helmet in the back of a closet with their bass guitar and judo outfit.

There will always be hockey players, no matter how rough things get out there. But if the industry wants to be savvier than they’ve been in the past, they’ll keep fostering players in major cities, even if the end result is “only” a couple more happy kids in the short-term. With so many other options available to kids, it’s the long-term love of the game that matters.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to The Hockey News for this article.

Any time a team is invited to skate with the Aeros during the National Anthem or perform during the intermission, they will be given a “sign-up” table in the concourse to provide free public skate passes to any fan that signs up. This will allow both the league and their respective rinks to collect contact information and keep new fans up-to-date with their tryouts, events, and any special offers. There has been an overwhelming response to this initiative and all parties are excited to begin and expand the program during the season. For more information on this program, click here.

“You gotta love it. It’s so inspiring seeing them,” said Lindsay Norris, a senior player on the Essex High School varsity team, and a graduate of the Essex Youth Hockey program. “They never seem to get frustrated…. they fall down and the next minute you go to help them back up and they’re already half way back up and they’re just right back at it and it’s really cool.”

Equipment was provided free of charge to the players. Players were allowed to keep it if they decided that they wanted to continue pursuing the sport after participating in the program. For more information on the Essex Youth Hockey Association, click here.

Additionally, each season over 40,000 kids stop playing youth hockey. Much of this loss can be reduced through a little extra follow up. In order to help hockey clubs retain existing players and grow their numbers, USA Hockey has created a step-by-step retention model. To see this model, click here (pdf).