How to start playing hockey as an adult in Minneapolis–St. Paul

12 programs across the Minneapolis–St. Paul area · last checked 2026-10-17

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

Adult skating classes. Most beginners start here.

Adult

Adult Learn to Skate

Bloomington Ice Garden · Bloomington, MN
Ages: 13+
Schedule: Fall Sept 26 - Nov 21 (Tue 11:30 AM, Wed 6:00 PM, Sat 9:30 AM); Winter Dec 1 - Jan 30, registration opens Nov 23
Learn to Skate USA adult curriculum for beginning and experienced adult skaters. Free skate rental. Register online by 10 AM the day before the first class.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Learn to Skate (Adult Beginner)

Braemar Arena (City of Edina) · Edina, MN
Ages: 18+
Schedule: Fall (Sept-Dec), Winter (Jan-Mar) and Summer (June-Aug) sessions; registration opens 4-8 weeks before each session
30-minute Learn to Skate USA classes. Adult Beginner is for new skaters learning balance and coordination; Adult Intermediate is for those getting back on the ice.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Learn to Skate (18+)

Roseville Skating Center (Roseville Skate School) · Roseville, MN
Ages: 18+
Price: Winter/Spring 16 weeks: $198 resident / $208 non-resident (30-minute class). Learn to Skate USA membership ($18.50/year) required
Schedule: Winter/Spring: Tuesdays 7:15-7:45 PM, Nov 17, 2026 - Apr 6, 2027; registration opened Sept 28. Daytime adult class Thursdays 10:30-11:00 AM (Jan 7 - Feb 25, 2027)
Learn to Skate USA program run by Roseville Parks and Recreation; about 12 students per instructor.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Learn to Skate

FSC Minneapolis (Figure Skating Club of Minneapolis) · Minneapolis, MN
Ages: Adults
Schedule: Fall 2: Nov 2 - Dec 19, 2026 (Mon & Thu 6:30-7:30 PM, Sat 10:15-11:15 AM); register by Oct 26 to avoid a $10 late fee
Each class day is 30 minutes of group instruction plus 30 minutes of practice time. The club says adults of all levels and ages are welcome.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

2. Learn to play 4

Hockey clinics for adults who have never played.

What to expect in a learn-to-play program

Adult

Beginner School

AHA Hockey (Breck School Arena) · Golden Valley, MN
Ages: Adults
Price: $720 (equipment and team jerseys not included; USA Hockey registration required)
Schedule: 2026-27 Winter Beginner School starts Monday, Nov 16; Mondays 9:30-11:00 PM
For adults with very little to no organized hockey experience: 12 weekly 90-minute on-ice clinics, 3 chalk talks, controlled scrimmages and 8 games, then graduate as a team into AHA League play. Recommends a little skating experience first, but says never having skated is not a problem. Limited to 36 skaters and 2 goalies.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Adult Instructional Program

Hockey Finder (Eden Prairie, Lakeville, Woodbury, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids) · Twin Cities area, MN
Ages: Adults
Schedule: Runs four times a year (Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec): Eden Prairie Sundays, Lakeville Mondays, Woodbury and Maple Grove Tuesdays, Coon Rapids Thursdays
For first-time players: teaches skating (including stopping and edges), puck handling, passing, shooting and positioning, with a scrimmage at the end of each session. Prepares players for a beginner Hockey Finder co-ed division. Gear rentals available through a partner.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

JMS Hockey 101: Skills

JMS Hockey (Parade Ice Garden) · Minneapolis, MN
Ages: 18+
Price: $109 early bird through Oct 31, then $125
Schedule: Six Sunday-night on-ice sessions plus two chalk talks, Nov 9 - Dec 21
Co-rec program for brand-new beginners led by coach Rob Little: skating technique, puck work, passing and wrist/snap shots. Own full gear required; JMS jerseys provided.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Hockey 101 (women)

WHAM (Women's Hockey Association of Minnesota) · Twin Cities area, MN
Ages: Adult women
Price: $140 (non-refundable) for the summer clinic
Schedule: Summer clinic; registration info for Summer 2027 to be posted in January
For the true beginner: 5 one-hour on-ice sessions with chalk talks, a free WHAM level assessment and help joining a team. Limited to 30 players per level. USA Hockey registration required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

3. Beginner league 2

Novice, instructional and D-level leagues.

Adult

JMS Hockey 101: Games

JMS Hockey (Parade Ice Garden) · Minneapolis, MN
Ages: 18+
Schedule: Six Sunday-night games starting in January; early bird registration opens in November
Tutorial games with an instructional referee. Skills participants get preference for Games registration.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

WHAM C3 Division (new players)

WHAM (Women's Hockey Association of Minnesota) · Twin Cities area, MN
Ages: Adult women
Schedule: 2026-2027 season; assessments held Aug-Oct
Women brand new to hockey can apply to join at C3 without an on-ice assessment using WHAM's C3 application. Players with prior organized hockey experience must assess ($20).
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

4. Next steps 2

Open hockey once you can play.

Adult

Adult Open Hockey

Maple Grove Community Center Ice Arena · Maple Grove, MN
Ages: 18+
Price: $8.50 (10-coupon book $65)
Schedule: See the arena schedule
Helmets required; pucks provided.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Adult

Open Hockey (18+)

Doug Woog Arena (City of South St. Paul) · South St. Paul, MN
Ages: 18+
Price: $5 (skate rental $2)
Schedule: See the public skating calendar
Casual session to practice and play. Helmets required; register at the arena office before going on the ice.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

For kids 4

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

Learn to skate

Youth

Learn to Skate USA: Snowplow Sam & Basic 1-6

Bloomington Ice Garden · Bloomington, MN
Ages: 3+ (Snowplow Sam), 4+ (Basic)
Schedule: Fall Sept 26 - Nov 21 (Tue & Sat); Winter Dec 1 - Jan 30, registration opens Nov 23
Free skate rental, progress evaluations and next-step recommendations.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Youth

Youth Learn to Skate

Roseville Skating Center (Roseville Skate School) · Roseville, MN
Ages: 3-18
Price: Winter/Spring 16 weeks: $198 resident / $208 non-resident (30-minute class)
Schedule: Winter/Spring Tuesdays (Nov 17 - Apr 6) and Saturdays (Nov 21 - Apr 10)
Learn to Skate USA classes grouped by age (3-5, 4-8, 6-8, 9-18). Learn to Skate USA membership ($18.50/year) required.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17
Youth

USA Hockey skating classes

Braemar Arena (City of Edina) · Edina, MN
Ages: 3-8
Schedule: 30- or 45-minute classes; Fall, Winter and Summer sessions
Hockey skating fundamentals taught without a puck. Helmet, gloves and stick required; must pass Snowplow Sam 2 or Basic 1 first.
Official source ↗
Last checked 2026-10-17

Learn to play

Youth

Little Wild Learn to Play

Minnesota Wild (rinks across the Twin Cities) · Twin Cities area, MN
Ages: First-time players (the page lists 2023 birth-date eligibility; confirm current ages)
Price: $175 (+$5 registration fee), including full CCM equipment to keep and a Little Wild jersey
Schedule: Four one-hour on-ice sessions; the page says registration opens in May
For children who have not played organized hockey. Kids should be able to skate the width of the ice unassisted first. Up to 65 participants per site.
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). Edina's Adult Beginner class is for new skaters, and AHA Hockey's Beginner School says never having skated is not a problem, though it recommends getting some skating experience first.

Do I need my own gear?

Usually. JMS Hockey 101 requires your own full hockey gear, and AHA's Beginner School fee does not include equipment. Hockey Finder offers gear rentals through a partner, and Bloomington Ice Garden's skate school includes free skate rental. See the starter gear guide.

Is there a league for true beginners?

Yes. AHA's Beginner School graduates as a team into AHA League play, JMS Hockey 101 has tutorial games, and WHAM lets women brand new to hockey apply to join at its C3 level. 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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