How to start playing hockey as an adult in Chicago

13 programs across the Chicago area · last checked 2026-10-17

  1. Learn to skate (3)
  2. Learn to play (5)
  3. Beginner league (1)
  4. Next steps (4)
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1. Learn to skate 3

Adult skating classes. Most beginners start here.

Adult

Adult Basics - Beginner

Blackhawks Ice Center · Chicago, IL
Ages: Adults
Price: $25 (listed price; the page does not say whether per class or per session)
Schedule: Wednesdays 6:30 PM, starts Nov 4, 2026
Listed with the rink's learn-to-skate classes. Adult Bronze (Basics 1 & 2), Silver (Basics 3 & 4) and Gold (Basics 5 & 6) classes follow.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Beginner Adult Skating

Park District of Oak Park · Oak Park, IL
Ages: 18+
Schedule: See Park District registration for current dates
No prerequisites. First step on the Park District's adult hockey pathway.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Learn to Skate

Fox Valley Ice Arena · Geneva, IL
Ages: 18+
Schedule: See rink for current dates
For adults with little to no skating experience or no formal lessons: the very basics, balance, and forward and backward skating. Learn to Skate USA membership ($22/year) required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

2. Learn to play 5

Hockey clinics for adults who have never played.

What to expect in a learn-to-play program

Adult

Adult Hockey 101

Johnny's Icehouse · Chicago, IL
Ages: 18+
Price: Full-session price not listed; drop-ins $40 if space allows
Schedule: Fall 2026: Fridays 7:40 AM; classes run the week of Sept 10 through Nov 22 (late registrations prorated)
For true beginners (0-3 years experience): power skating, passing, stickhandling, shooting and basic rules. Taught by skills coach Scott Herbster. Full hockey gear and medical insurance required. Adult 102 and 103 follow.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult LTP - Beginner Hockey

Blackhawks Ice Center · Chicago, IL
Ages: Adults
Price: $35 (listed price; the page does not say whether per class or per session)
Schedule: Fridays, starts Nov 6, 2026
For adults new to the game or with limited experience: skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting and basic game concepts. Some skating experience required, no prior hockey experience needed. Full hockey equipment required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Instructional Adult Hockey

Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion · Buffalo Grove, IL
Ages: Adults
Price: $533 current prorated price when checked (full season $1,037; Zelle discount and monthly plan offered)
Schedule: Sundays 7:00-8:30 PM, June 28, 2026 - Jan 10, 2027 (29 sessions); join anytime
For minimal or no hockey experience. Drills plus scrimmage, no checking; the goal is to graduate into the Leisure League. Full equipment including a HECC helmet with full face covering. AAU registration required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Hockey 101 / Women's Beginner Hockey

Park District of Oak Park · Oak Park, IL
Ages: 18+
Schedule: See Park District registration for current dates
No prerequisites. Full hockey gear required; free skate rentals included, and an equipment fitting day at the start of each session lets participants rent gear. Adult Hockey 201 follows.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Hockey Development

Fox Valley Ice Arena · Geneva, IL
Ages: Adults
Schedule: See rink for current dates
For beginner players working toward the Fox Valley adult leagues: hockey skating and stickwork fundamentals. Previous skating ability required; the rink points non-skaters to Adult Learn to Skate.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

3. Beginner league 1

Novice, instructional and D-level leagues.

Adult

Leisure Hockey League

Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion · Buffalo Grove, IL
Ages: Adults
Price: $518 late teams / $615 early teams, current prorated prices when checked (full season $991 / $1,269)
Schedule: June 28, 2026 - Jan 12, 2027; usually 1 game a week, weeknights 7:00-10:45 PM, weekends noon-10:45 PM
For limited experience (normally under 3 years). Individuals play an evaluation game and are drafted onto teams. No checking; 23 games including at least 1 playoff game. Full equipment with full face covering; AAU registration required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

4. Next steps 4

Open hockey once you can play.

Adult

Beginner Adult Rat Hockey

Blackhawks Ice Center · Chicago, IL
Ages: Adults
Schedule: See the rink's drop-in calendar
Listed on the rink's drop-in hockey page. Register and sign in beforehand; a $10 fee applies if you don't.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Stick & Puck

Blackhawks Ice Center · Chicago, IL
Schedule: See the rink's drop-in calendar
Reserve a spot in advance; separate player and goalie registration. A $10 fee applies if you attend without registering and signing in.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Hockey Skills/Workout

Morgan Park Sports Center (Chicago Park District) · Chicago, IL
Ages: 16 and up
Price: $210
Schedule: Sundays 6:30-7:30 AM, Aug 30 - Dec 20, 2026 (no session Sep 6 or Nov 29)
Chicago Park District program. The page does not state a skill level.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Stick & Puck

Fox Valley Ice Arena · Geneva, IL
Ages: 18+ (minimum gear: helmet, stick, skates, gloves)
Schedule: Last listed dates were in August 2026; the rink says to check back for new dates
For skill work only, no scrimmages or games. Full equipment highly recommended for adults. Sign in at the front desk.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

For kids 7

Youth learn-to-skate, learn-to-play and intro hockey programs at or near the rinks above.

Learn to skate

Youth

Youth Learn to Skate

Johnny's Icehouse · Chicago, IL
Ages: Kids
Schedule: Fall 2026: week of Sept 7 through Nov 22; 40-minute weekly classes (4:50-5:30 PM, or Saturdays 12:00-12:40 PM run by Figure Skate Chicago)
For true beginners and kids with some experience. Helmet required (bike or ski helmets work). No rental equipment, but there is an on-site equipment exchange.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

Learn to play

Youth

Junior Jets Learn to Play

Johnny's Icehouse · Chicago, IL
Ages: 4-10
Schedule: Fall 2026: Sept 7 - Nov 22; 45-minute weekly classes
Next step after Beginner Learn to Skate. Hockey skating, early fundamentals, small-area games and scrimmages. Full gear required (helmet, skates, gloves, shin guards, socks, elbow pads, chest protector, stick); no rentals.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Youth

Youth Hockey Classes: Hockey Beginner

Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion · Buffalo Grove, IL
Ages: 4-12
Price: $246 (Zelle) / $259 (card), rental equipment included; $10 off if registered by Nov 3
Schedule: Nov 8, 2026 - Jan 17, 2027: Tuesdays 5:20-6:00 PM or Saturdays 12:10-12:50 PM (8 classes)
Basic forward skating for beginners. Equipment: skates, knee pads, gloves, HECC helmet with facemask, stick; rental equipment must be fitted before day one. Then Hockey 1.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Youth

Ice Cubs Hockey

Park District of Oak Park · Oak Park, IL
Ages: 4-6
Schedule: See Park District registration for current dates
Prerequisite: Learn to Skate 1-2. Full hockey gear required; free skate rentals and an equipment fitting day for renting gear.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Youth

Youth Hockey 101

Park District of Oak Park · Oak Park, IL
Ages: 6-13
Schedule: See Park District registration for current dates
Prerequisite: Learn to Skate Snowplow 1-2 or Basic 1-2, or an evaluation. Follows USA Hockey's American Development Model. Full gear required; free skate rentals.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Youth

Learn to Play Hockey: Hockey 1

Fox Valley Ice Arena · Geneva, IL
Ages: 6-9
Schedule: See rink for current dates
Learn to Skate USA hockey curriculum focused on skating technique, taught without a puck. Stepping stone to Twisters In-House Hockey. Learn to Skate USA membership ($22) required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Youth

Chicago Blackhawks Learn to Play

Multiple rinks (incl. Blackhawks Ice Center, Morgan Park Sports Center, Fox Valley Ice Arena) · Chicago area, IL
Ages: 4-9 (first-time players)
Price: Nominal participation fee; varies by facility
NHL/NHLPA program with head-to-toe equipment, age-appropriate instruction and certified coaches. Open registrations are listed by rink.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

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Starter gear

Most programs need full equipment: helmet with cage, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, pants, shin guards, skates, stick, and a jock or jill.

Starter gear guide

FAQ

I can't skate at all. Where do I start?

Start with an adult learn-to-skate class (step 1). Fox Valley Ice Arena's Adult Learn to Skate is for adults with little to no skating experience, and Oak Park's Beginner Adult Skating has no prerequisites.

Do I need my own gear?

Usually. Johnny's Adult Hockey 101, Blackhawks Ice Center's Adult LTP and Twin Rinks' instructional classes all require full hockey equipment. The Park District of Oak Park includes free skate rentals and holds an equipment fitting day where you can rent gear. See the starter gear guide.

Is there a league for true beginners?

Twin Rinks' Leisure League is for players with limited experience (normally under 3 years), and its Instructional classes are designed to lead into it. Ask about the level before you sign up.

Are these details current?

Each card shows the date we last checked it and links to the official source. Schedules and prices change, so confirm with the rink.

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