10 Things Nobody Tells You Before Your First Beer League Game

Starting a new beer league hockey team sounds simple until you realize how many details go into it. In this episode, we break down everything you need to think about before launching your own team.We get into the practical side of running a team: roster size, jersey reorders, assigning responsibilities, handling money, organizing fill-ins, and setting expectations early so things do not turn into chaos later.But this episode is not just about logistics. It is about building a team identity on and off the ice. The best beer league teams are not always the ones winning the most games. They are the ones people look forward to being around every week.Whether you are brand new to beer league or branching out to start something of your own, this episode will help you build a team that lasts.LinksGoogle Nano Banana (AI Image builder)CanvaChatGPTClaudeAIFiverrAthletic Knit Jersey BuilderMen's League Sweaters Jersey BuilderThe Jersey GeneratorBenchAppText the show Support the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

Getting ready for your first beer league hockey game? You’ve skated, you’ve practiced stops, you’ve shot pucks in the driveway… and now comes the part nobody really prepares you for: the actual game.In this episode, we break down 10 things nobody tells you before your first beer league game (and a few bonus tips). You’ll some get real-world tips for on the ice, on the bench, and in the locker room, that make beer league what it’s supposed to be: fun.LinksFor Beginner Playlist14 Tips for Slow Beer League Players (YouTube/ audio only)The Trophy Tour and More w/ Beer League Goalie and Ref Doug Carson (YouTube/ audio only)Text the show Support the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

Hockey players at all levels, and particularly beer leaguers, and especially beginner to intermediate beer leaguers hit a plateau in the hockey development. It might be 6 months in, or 6 years in…. So how do you get through it and continue to improve? In this episode we talk through finding what actually is plateauing, how to identify different types of plateaus, and how to break through them.LinksLearn by Watching Yourself PlayText the show Support the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

Another shorts episode rounding-up random bits of beer league goodness. This time around we look at how wrong the Olympic roster predictions were, catch-up on the gear debate that came out of episode 29, and more!LinksSnappd Hockey (repaired hockey sticks)Virginia Tech Helmet RatingsBeginner Equipment (Upgrade) GuideSocial Media Account to FollowRef Aaron (TikTok)Text the showSupport the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

If you’re playing beer league hockey or just starting out, you don’t need expensive pro-level gear — you need smart upgrades that can actually make you safer and help on the ice. In this episode, we break down where to spend your money, where you can save big, and everything in-between.We also dig into used gear vs new gear, how to inspect before you buy and what actually is pro stock hockey gear. LinksPlay It Again SportsCraigslistKijijiSidelineSwapPro Stock HockeyPro Stock Hockey SticksHockey Stick ManHockeyTronVerberoAll Black Hockey SticksSwift HockeyNo Name HockeyHow to Clean your GearBladetech Blades ReviewText the show Support the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

I was up in the middle of the night messing around with what I think the US and Canada rosters will look like and decided to record it. Chapter markers have images of the rosters, or you can check out the video version here: https://youtube.com/live/Ho5atNBQnRQ?feature=shareText the show Support the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

Beer league hockey is supposed to be fun… but the best teams also have something extra: communication, positivity, and real locker-room chemistry. In this episode of The Beer Leaguer Podcast, we sit down with longtime hockey friend Doug Carson—a former beer league ref and current beer league goalie.Text the showSupport the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

In this episode of the Beer Leaguer podcast, we run through the 2025 Beer Leaguer Holiday Gift Guide — a handpicked list of gifts beyond the obvious sticks, skates, and pads. If you’re a beer leaguer who’s tough to shop for (or you need ideas to send to your loved ones), this one’s for you. Shop.TheBeerLeaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.com/holiday/ (The complete list)(some links are affiliate links)Stocking StuffersShoe CharmsStick HolderHowie’s ornamentsLacrosse Ball/ Trigger Point BallHalo Headbands (Amazon)Gear AccessoriesIkea octo hangerIkea Portable WardrobeBoot dryer (Menards)Hockey Bag EssentialsSlides/shower shoesStubby ScrewdriverScissorsBluetooth Speaker Tape Tiger (Amazon)Helmet Repair Kit (Bauer, Amazon)Accessory Bag/Tape Bag (Amazon)MoviesPond HockeyThe Late GameBooksFabric of the Game bookHHOF Book of JerseysPond HockeyOther Links Shinguard SleevesUtty Gear HangerGear hanger from Hang Your GearText the show Support the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

A walk-through of the best black Friday deals to be found this year. https://thebeerleaguer.com/blackfridayLinksEnzo - Gear cleaning bombs and cleaning productsBlack Friday sales on bundlesEnzo Equipment Cleaner ReviewViolent Gentlemen - Apparel BFCM25 33% off & free gifts with purchaseAycane - Base layers and apparelA-Shield Sock reviewBlade Pro Evo Base Layer ReviewHockeyTronPure HockeyEverything Hockey - Apparel, hockey lace hoodies20% off storewideCanadian orders get a free can coolerHockey Stick ManProStockHockey.comWarroad - Protective base layersHockey Wraparound - Blade protectors and off-ice pucksTransformer Hockey - Turn sticks into stick-handling aidsBN3TH - Pants/Shorts with velcro and cupsAmazonAnker Bluetooth SpeakerBLPA Mystery BoxesText the show Support the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay

This time around I cover the explosion in Sparx machines at retail locations, getting your show ideas actually through to the show, and more.LinksOVR40GoalieSparx ReviewText the showSupport the showWant more from The Beer Leaguer? Check out our socialshttp://thebeerleaguer.comhttps://thebeerleaguer.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeerleaguer/https://www.tiktok.com/@the.beer.leaguerhttps://linktr.ee/beerleaguerMusic by RomaRecord1973 via Pixabay