Underneath that team-logoed sweatshirt, hockey moms and dads should have a giant Superman ‘S’ because during the season, they seem to add superpowers. How else could they be chauffer, cheerleader, scheduler, rink flooder, concession worker and more – all at the same time?

It can be a little intimidating, especially if this is your very first season trying to fly. To avoid any kryptonite, Minnesota Hockey has created this survival guide to help lead you through the year with as few hang-ups as possible.

From meals on the go to volunteering and bag checks, we have you covered. Welcome to hockey season!

Should it Look Like That?: If you’re familiar with hockey, you’ve probably seen the game played on a full sheet of ice. Taking your son or daughter to their first practice will look a little different.

It’s OK – it’s still hockey. And it’s the best path toward development and overall enjoyment.

Cross-ice hockey is just one component of the American Development Model (ADM), a proven road to developing top talent while fostering a true love of the game. The ADM and cross-ice training is based on long-term athlete development.

Shrinking the ice size is just like playing on a smaller field in Little League. There are four main benefits to playing cross-ice hockey: More puck time, age-appropriate training, cost savings and increased competition. Makes perfect sense, right?

Learn more about cross-ice hockey and the ADM. Here’s a parent’s guide for the 8U/Mites level.

Beware of Athletic Fever:  Even the most realistic and understanding parents are occasionally overtaken with the need to scream and yell at anything that goes against their child upon entering a rink, or really any sports arena. Logic goes out the window as an innate desire to see their kids succeed becomes all-encompassing.  Do your best to guard against these urges and encourage other parents to do the same.

Parent-Coach Relationship: You and the coaching staff are working toward the same goal: focusing on what is best for your child. Work with the coaches instead of against them to accomplish that. Coaches will also be your best resource for any questions you might have. How is my child doing? What can he/she do better? What is the team’s philosophy here?

Don’t be afraid to communicate. Read this Positive Parent-Coach Relationships article for more insight.

SafeSport: It’s normal to be nervous of bumps and bruises kids can get on the ice, but we also want to make sure they are safe off the ice. That’s why USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey have adopted the SafeSport Program, a comprehensive, zero tolerance policy for abuse and misconduct.

Minnesota Hockey uses USA Hockey’s off-ice safety policies, including education and awareness, ensuring safe supervision and locker room monitoring complete with background checks of all volunteers and employees.

Learn more about SafeSport’s policies and expectations.

Help Out: Organizations and associations thrive on the help of volunteers. Jumping in and helping with concessions, fundraising or wherever you can not only benefits your child, but the organization he/she will be playing in for years to come. It’s even a benefit to you and your wallet. Community volunteers like yourself are what makes Minnesota Hockey so successful while helping keep costs down at all levels. It’s also a great way to get to know other parents in the community.

Eat Healthy (and on the go): Healthy eating habits are essential for kids to achieve on and off the ice. Hockey schedules might force parents to adopt new meal schedules. Snacks like peanuts, fruit or crackers are a great way to refuel in the car between school and practice. Be prepared to switch up dinner routines as game and practice times vary.

And don’t forget, just because you’re on the go shouldn’t mean more fast-food stops. Plan ahead and keep making those healthy decisions – it saves money, too!

Here are Five Good-Eating Habits for your young athlete.

Equipment Check: There’s nothing worse than getting to the rink and realizing you left a shoulder pad, skate or jersey at home. Always double or even triple check your hockey bag to make sure everything is ready to go. Keeping spare laces, socks and mouthguards in the car or side pocket can help, too.  

And in case you still have questions about what equipment should be in the bag, check out the Intro to Hockey: Equipment 101.

Easy on Advice: Don’t make a tough loss even tougher for your child. While you may want to critique and give advice what he/she could have done better, it is better not to. Pointing out flaws only makes kids feel worse about it. Use that drive home to listen to music, talk about school or about how fun the game was.

Here’s some advice for the Car Ride Home.

Have Fun: This is the easy part! Enjoy the smiles on your son’s or daughter’s face and have fun cheering them on. You get to see firsthand your child making friends and developing as a hockey player. There are few greater things to witness as a parent.

Have any more tips for new hockey parents? Tweet us at @MinnHockey.