Never has someone been so excited to be greeted by the smell of a hockey change room than a kid who’s just beginning their minor hockey season. GTHL alumni P.K. Subban has been quoted as saying that the beginning of his minor hockey season was the equivalent to his January 1. A time for renewal, a new hockey season marks a fresh start and new opportunities for success. But before you hop the boards and hit the ice, here are some things to check off your list to ensure your hockey season gets off to a great start.

Check Your Equipment

Having equipment that fits properly is vital to your success and preventing a potential injury.

“If your equipment is too small it means there’s many gaps in-between your gear and there’s a higher chance of injury,” said Jeff Potter, President of ProSkateCorner and skate fitter to both pro and amateur players. “Skates being too big or small can cause bone spurts or other deformations on your feet.”

Potter also emphasized the importance of skate sharpening, stating that improperly sharpened skates can cause players to lose an edge and risk hurting themselves.

Bottom line: make sure your equipment fits, and sharpen your skates before heading to the rink.

Get Paper Work Out of the Way

Founded by former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, the Respect in Sport parent program must be completed by one parent per household prior to player’s participating in regular season action. Questions regarding the program can be found here. Additionally, parents must set up a payment plan or have already paid the player registration fee.

Check Your Schedule

Cross-reference your hockey schedule with your personal calendar to spot any potential conflicts. Mark the date, time, and location of each practice and game on your calendar to get a better idea of what your upcoming year will look like.

Set Your Goals

Setting a goal will give you a long-term vision of where you want to be by the end of the season. Whether you want to be a better teammate or win the Kraft Cup,set goals now and the steps you plan to take in order to achieve them. You’ll be glad you did by the end of the season.

Pro Tip: according to various studies, those who write down their goals often accomplish much more than those who don’t.