It’s that magical time of year again — when the smell of fresh ice mixes with the stench of last year’s gear bag. Hockey season is back, and whether you’re a parent, player, or beer leaguer, you know the signs are impossible to miss.
Here are 7 dead giveaways that hockey has officially taken over your life again.
1. The Rink Feels Like the Arctic
No matter how many seasons you’ve survived, the first time you walk into the rink each fall you think: “Why is it THIS cold?” The answer: hockey gods demand sacrifice. Don’t forget the blanket, mittens, and that one hoodie that lives in your trunk from September to March.
2. Your Alarm Clock Hates You
5:00 AM? 6:00 AM? Whatever ungodly time it is, hockey doesn’t care. Parents stumble around the kitchen like zombies, kids pretend they’re still asleep in the car, and coffee sales skyrocket.
3. Mini Sticks in the Hallway
The surest sign hockey is back? Stepping on a mini stick in your socks at 10:30 PM. Bonus points if you also find the puck when your foot does.
4. The Great Wardrobe Shift
Parents drag out the same blankets and hoodies they’ve had for years, while kids immediately demand “new team gear” because apparently last season’s hoodie is cursed. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered (literally).
5. Beer Leaguers Talk About Their “Training”
Translation: they skated once in August and did curls with a six-pack. But come opening night, they’ll be out there wheezing through their first shift like NHL playoff heroes.
6. Tournament Calendars Take Over the Fridge
Family vacations? Not this year. Again. Every weekend is booked with some tournament that’s “only three hours away” (translation: seven hours in traffic, plus hotel pizza).
7. The Smell Returns
That smell. You know the one. No amount of Febreze can hide it, and somehow it seeps into your car, your garage, and your soul. Welcome back, hockey.
Bottom Line
Hockey season is chaos, but it’s our chaos — early mornings, freezing rinks, terrible coffee, and all.
👉 Don’t freeze in the bleachers — grab a Slash Hockey hoodie before the season opener.
