We live and breathe hockey, as you know. Hockey and Canadian families just go together, right? Being a hockey mom AND a coach’s wife means there is no shortage of ice and rink talk at the dinner table, on family car rides and even in the bedroom!
In the beginning, I’m not sure if I was fully prepared about what life in rep hockey would mean for our family, but I’ve adjusted and even become the team manager this year! We’ve spent a fortune on gear and team fees, rushed through weeknight and weekend dinners, lived on Tim Horton’s drive thru, learned to love coffee and passed on other extra curricular activities…all for the love of the game! What’s the best part? Jayden really LOVES hockey, we’ve seen him improve each year and being part of a team means a chance to make new friends. When life at school has been a bit tough over the last couple of years, it’s even more important that he find the things that he loves, makes new friends and feels some success on the ice. He’s even really stepped up as a leader for his other teammates and set the tone in the dressing room.
When we have a rare weekend afternoon or evening off, we love to unwind between tournaments and games by binge-watching hockey movies for kids.
Jayden’s First Year in Rep Hockey…so cute!
Coach Hubby and my number 71!
We love these top 5 hockey movies for kids;
The Mighty Ducks: G-Rated and on Netflix, this is one of the best classic Disney movies, especially for kids who love hockey! When a fast-talking lawyer gets a DUI (Emilio Estevez!), he’s sentenced to community service coaching the Mighty Ducks, a kids’ hockey team with a lousy record. Don’t forget about sequels D2: The Mighty Ducks, and D3: The Mighty Ducks.
Miracle: This PG-rated film (on Netflix) tells the true story of Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell), the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Russian squad.
Most Valuable Primate (MVP): From the Air Bud Entertainment group, this PG-rated film features Jack, a three-year-old chimpanzee who has been the subject of a long-term experiment by Dr. Kendall, a researcher who been teaching Jack to communicate through sign language. Jack leaves the research lab and is accidentally sent to Canada, where he escapes and is discovered by Tara, a deaf girl who recognizes Jack’s sign language. Jack has an even bigger surprise for Tara’s older brother Steven; Jack scrambles onto the ice in the midst of practice for Steven’s junior league hockey team, and he and his teammates discover the primate has a natural talent for the game.
Cutting Edge: The kids may say “awww yuck” at the love story between a feisty figure skater and a former hockey player who try to win Olympic gold as a figure skating pairs team (rated PG).
Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story: The story of the 1973 hockey season when aging legend Gordie Howe returned to the ice at the age of 44. Rated PG.
Note: If you want to have some R-rated adult hockey films, try Goon, Slap Shot, Slap Shot 2 or Slap Shot 3!
Looking for more affordable family fun?
Try a night with the Toronto Marlies! We go at least 4 times each year. We love heading to Ricoh Coliseum to cheer on the team, take my parents for their holiday gift or head down with a group of friends to enjoy their theme nights (MLSE Foundation events too). The Marlies games always keep families in mind with their interactive games, guest kid DJs and fun for kids of all ages!
For the last three years, we’ve also arranged for our son’s hockey team to take advantage of the Marlies interactive experiences offered for young hockey enthusiasts! It’s a great team-building experience and fun for the grown-ups too. Kids can ride the zamboni, carry the flag on the ice (see Jayden’s team below) or even play an exhibition on the same ice as the Toronto Marlies (happening March 24th!)- they can customize the package for all teams.
Hockey Lovers Giveaway!
If your family loves hockey as much as we do…and love the Leafs, enter to win this fabulous Toronto Maple Leafs Prize Pack worth over $300! Contest open to Canadians and ends March 2nd, 2018.
Prize pack includes;
– Connor Brown Signed Jersey
– Leafs Youth Baseball cap
– Leafs Winter toque
– Leafs Winter scarf
– Leafs mini stick
and Two passes to the Hockey Hall of Fame!
Want some gift ideas for hockey players? Check out this hockey fan gift guide!
PS. If basketball is more your thing, try the Raptors 905 games!
*Disclaimer: I received this prize pack to give to my readers and one for our hockey-loving family from Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment (MLSE).
Monique L.S.
February 23, 2018 at 2:55 am (7 years ago)Not current, but Mats Sundin.
Debbie Davidov
February 23, 2018 at 3:02 am (7 years ago)We love, live and breathe hockey! Our fav players are Matthews and Marner!
Lynn goad
February 23, 2018 at 3:20 am (7 years ago)Austin Matthews
Julia
February 23, 2018 at 3:54 am (7 years ago)Currently, Austin Matthews. Past, Dougie Gilmour.
Melissa Doerr
February 23, 2018 at 4:09 am (7 years ago)There are so many that I could name. Currently I really enjoy watching Mitch Marner, he can perform magic on the ice and people doubt him all the time. Oldies that I enjoyed just as much are Mats Sundin, Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmore
Gord
February 23, 2018 at 6:14 am (7 years ago)I would have to sat that Mitch Marner is our favourite player.
Daniel Whitelock
February 23, 2018 at 9:20 am (7 years ago)doug gilmore
Amy Heffernan
February 23, 2018 at 10:45 am (7 years ago)Austin Matthews my 9 year old said. He is a HUGE fan! Thanks!
Christy Lawson
February 23, 2018 at 1:18 pm (7 years ago)My kid is a big Matthews fan but the goalie in him has serious respect for Andersen!
Tanya
February 23, 2018 at 2:35 pm (7 years ago)Frederick Anderson!!!!!
Kim Tanti
February 23, 2018 at 3:39 pm (7 years ago)My favorite is Austin Mathews
kathy downey
February 23, 2018 at 4:52 pm (7 years ago)I have to say Austin Matthews!
Jenny Major
February 23, 2018 at 8:08 pm (7 years ago)Austin Matthews
Marie
February 23, 2018 at 8:15 pm (7 years ago)Wendel Clark was my favourite player….and still is.
Robyn Bellefleur
February 23, 2018 at 9:59 pm (7 years ago)Doug Gilmour has and always will be my favorite Leaf.
Ally Cooper
February 23, 2018 at 10:01 pm (7 years ago)Doug Gilmour
Tainan Lu
February 23, 2018 at 11:20 pm (7 years ago)I like Austin Matthews
linda
February 24, 2018 at 2:39 am (7 years ago)Doug Gilmour
Pauline Milner
February 24, 2018 at 12:53 pm (7 years ago)My favourite Leafs player is Austin Matthews. Thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunity!
Juliee Fitze
February 24, 2018 at 12:57 pm (7 years ago)Austin Matthews
Michelle Lockwood
February 24, 2018 at 6:58 pm (7 years ago)I’m a goalie momma so there is only one correct answer…..Anderson!!!
LILLIAN BROWN
February 24, 2018 at 7:08 pm (7 years ago)0ur favourite Leafs player is Austin Matthews. Thanks for the awesome giveaway, great movies.
Cheryl H
February 24, 2018 at 8:50 pm (7 years ago)My sons favourite player is Auston Matthews. (I should get bonus points for actually spelling his name right! Thanks for the fun contest)
Laura M
February 24, 2018 at 11:49 pm (7 years ago)My oldest son’s vote is for Austin Matthews!
Vanessa
February 25, 2018 at 2:52 am (7 years ago)KADri is my favourite!!!!!
Courtney
February 25, 2018 at 2:25 pm (7 years ago)We love Doug Gilmour. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Melissa Finn
February 25, 2018 at 3:52 pm (7 years ago)Our all fave TML player is Doug Gilmour. But our current fave is Austen Matthews!
Erica Seaman
February 25, 2018 at 3:58 pm (7 years ago)My Goalie son is a huge fan of Frederik Andersen. 🙂
Marie
February 25, 2018 at 4:44 pm (7 years ago)We really like Auston Matthews. He’s so talented!
em
February 25, 2018 at 5:22 pm (7 years ago)tie domi and auston matthews
Clare Izard
February 25, 2018 at 6:47 pm (7 years ago)Austin Matthews
Julie F
February 26, 2018 at 1:00 am (7 years ago)Doug Gilmour
Stephanie
February 26, 2018 at 1:26 am (7 years ago)Auston Matthews is our favourite player!! I love watching the Leafs play, they are my favourite team!
Shirley Shepherd
February 26, 2018 at 2:10 am (7 years ago)My favourite Leafs player is Mitch Marner.
HEIDI C.
February 26, 2018 at 6:16 am (7 years ago)Austin Matthews!
Nancy T
February 26, 2018 at 10:09 pm (7 years ago)I love a lot of the old players – Cujo, Domi, Sundin, Gilmour – of the current players I like Kadri!
Alayne Langford
February 27, 2018 at 10:39 pm (7 years ago)I love Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner equally! 🙂 #GOLEAFSGO
Andrea
February 27, 2018 at 11:51 pm (7 years ago)My favourite is Auston Matthews!
Sandra F
February 28, 2018 at 5:05 am (7 years ago)Patrick Marleau
KellyPC
February 28, 2018 at 9:20 pm (7 years ago)I loved Cujo but Carlton the Bear is my all time fav! lol
Judy Cowan
March 3, 2018 at 3:15 pm (7 years ago)Austin Matthews
Jackie M
March 3, 2018 at 3:28 pm (7 years ago)Austin Matthews
Paul
March 3, 2018 at 3:31 pm (7 years ago)I love Doug Gilmour but current I like Mitch Marner
Florence Cochrane
March 3, 2018 at 8:07 pm (7 years ago)I enjoy watching the Toronto Maples. I have to go with Austin Matthews.
Nicole Jubleew
March 4, 2018 at 8:03 am (7 years ago)Frederik Andersen is our fave!
M
March 4, 2018 at 11:13 pm (7 years ago)Mats Sundin
astrovasudev
October 2, 2023 at 5:27 am (1 year ago)Thanks for this article with well researched content in it. This will definitely useful to us.