How to start playing hockey as an adult in St. Louis, MO

9 programs across the St. Louis area last checked 2026-10-26

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

1. Learn to skate 2

Adult skating classes. Most beginners start here.

Adult

Learn to Skate: Adult 1

Centene Community Ice Center · Maryland Heights, MO
Ages: 17+
Price: $120 per six-week session (tax not included)
Schedule: Tuesdays Nov 10 - Dec 15 (register by 11/3); Saturdays Nov 14 - Dec 19 (register by 11/6)
No experience required. Includes six 30-minute classes, skate rental during class, six public skate passes and Learn to Skate USA membership.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Adult

Adult Skating Lessons (All Levels)

Kirkwood Ice Rink · Kirkwood, MO
Ages: 16-99
Price: $70 residents, $77 non-residents
Schedule: Mondays 6:30-6:55 PM, Nov 2 - Dec 14
Curriculum depends on the skaters' level: forward and backward skating, stopping, crossovers, turns and more. Skate rental included.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26

2. Learn to play 3

Hockey clinics for adults who have never played.

What to expect in a learn-to-play program

Adult

Adult Learn to Play

Centene Community Ice Center · Maryland Heights, MO
Ages: 18+
Schedule: Next session: Spring 2027 (six weeks)
For adults with little to no hockey experience. You should be able to skate the length of the rink unassisted (Adult Learn to Skate first is strongly recommended). Full gear required; rental skates available. Pre-registration required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Adult

Hockey North America St. Louis Beginner Program

CarShield Ice Arena & Sportsplex · Chesterfield, MO
Ages: Adults
Price: $415 total ($25 deposit + two $195 payments)
Schedule: Starts Jan 21, 2027: Thursdays 9:45 PM, 8 90-minute instructional sessions then 8 games
HNA's adult beginner hockey school. Fee covers 16 ice sessions, instructors, referees and scorekeepers; gear, jerseys and socks are not included. A $25 deposit holds a roster spot.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Adult

Winterland Adult Learn to Play

Webster Groves Ice Arena · Webster Groves, MO
Ages: Adults
Price: $368
Schedule: 12 one-hour Saturday sessions, Apr 17 - Jul 10, 2027 (Session A 11:45 AM, Session B 1:00 PM)
For beginner or very novice players. Registration is open.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26

3. Beginner league 2

Novice, instructional and D-level leagues.

Adult

Winterland Novice programs

Webster Groves, Florissant and Kirkwood rinks · St. Louis area, MO
Ages: Adults (should be over 30 to skate full time)
Schedule: Programs start through the year; e.g. Florissant Novice Thursdays 9:15-10:15 PM, Dec 3 - Feb 25 (out-skater spots sold out)
Co-ed Novice and NovicePLUS adult programs just for fun. Some sessions sell out, so check the overview for openings.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Adult

Adult League: Bronze divisions

Centene Community Ice Center · Maryland Heights, MO
Ages: Adults
Schedule: 2026 Fall/Winter league is sold out (started Oct 4); Bronze plays Mon/Tue/Wed/Sun
USA Hockey league with divisions for all skill levels; Bronze (A-D) are the lower divisions. Free agents can submit a form that goes to team captains.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26

4. Next steps 2

Open hockey once you can play.

Adult

Adult Scrimmages

Webster Groves Ice Arena · Webster Groves, MO
Ages: Adults
Price: $6 residents, $10 non-residents
Friendly pick-up for beginners or experienced players: no officials, no score. Full equipment required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Adult

Stick & Puck

Centene Community Ice Center · Maryland Heights, MO
Ages: All ages
Price: 10-session punch pass $120 (in person)
Schedule: Most weeks year-round, depending on the ice schedule
Shootaround practice; no scrimmaging. Helmet, gloves, elbow pads, shin pads and full-length pants required; bring your own pucks.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26

Beginner guides

Learn to skate first · Your first hockey class · What hockey costs · Stick and skate sizing · Beginner leagues explained

Used gear near you

Buying used is the easiest way to cut the cost of a first kit. Inventory changes daily, so check listings or call the store before you go.

Facebook Marketplace

Local listings for "hockey equipment" in the St. Louis area.

Search Marketplace ↗

SidelineSwap

Online marketplace for used ice hockey gear, shipped to you.

Shop ice hockey ↗

Play It Again Sports stores

Store

Play It Again Sports Fairview Heights

22 Lincoln Highway, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
About 10 miles from downtown St. Louis · 618-628-2345
Store page ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Store

Play It Again Sports Kirkwood

10947 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122
About 12 miles from downtown St. Louis · 314-821-4567
Store page ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Store

Play It Again Sports Arnold

223 Arnold Crossroads Ctr, Arnold, MO 63010
About 18 miles from downtown St. Louis · 636-333-2688
Store page ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26

Store list from the official Play It Again Sports store locator ↗, checked 2026-10-26. Distances are approximate, straight-line.

Buying used: what beginners should know

  • Helmets expire. Replace a helmet after about 5 years, or after any hard impact. Check the date on the certification sticker before you buy.
  • Always try on skates first. Fit matters more than anything with skates, and a used pair may be broken in to someone else's foot.
  • Inspect pads and gloves. Look for cracks in the hard plastic, a strong smell, and worn or torn straps and Velcro. Check glove palms for holes.
  • Why used makes sense. When you're just starting, you don't yet know your size, your style or whether you'll stick with it. Used gear lets you play for a fraction of the price and upgrade later.

For kids 3

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

Learn to skate

Youth

Learn to Skate: Basic and Hockey levels

Centene Community Ice Center · Maryland Heights, MO
Ages: 6-16
Price: $120 per six-week session
Schedule: Tuesdays from Nov 10; Saturdays from Nov 14
Basic Skills 1-6 (ages 6-16) and Hockey Levels 1-4 hockey skating classes. Skate rental and public skate passes included.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26

Learn to play

Youth

Little Blues Learn to Play

Centene Community Ice Center · Maryland Heights, MO
Ages: 4-9
Price: $250
Schedule: Six-week sessions
Blues program for kids who haven't played organized hockey, taught by Blues alumni. Includes a complete set of hockey equipment.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26
Youth

Blues Girls Learn to Play

Centene Community Ice Center · Maryland Heights, MO
Ages: Girls 4-14
Price: $250
Schedule: Six weeks
For girls new to organized hockey. Includes a complete set of hockey equipment.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-26

Get an email when beginner sessions open in St. Louis

Learn-to-skate and learn-to-play sessions fill up fast. Pick your city and we'll email you when new sessions or registration open. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

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). Centene Community Ice Center's Adult 1 needs no experience, and Kirkwood Ice Rink runs adult lessons for ages 16 and up.

Is there an adult learn-to-play program?

Yes. Hockey North America's St. Louis beginner program starts Jan 21, 2027 in Chesterfield, Winterland runs an Adult Learn to Play at Webster Groves, and Centene's Adult Learn to Play returns in spring 2027.

Is there a league for true beginners?

Hockey North America's beginner program ends with 8 games, and Winterland runs Novice programs at several rinks. Centene's adult league has lower Bronze divisions.

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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