Arena schedules use a handful of terms that are obvious to regulars and confusing to everyone else. Public skate, shinny, drop-in hockey, pick up hockey, stick and puck: here is what each one means, who it is for and what to bring.
Public skating
Public skating (also called a public skate, leisure skate, recreational skate, open skate or general skate, depending on the city) is the classic session: everyone skates around the rink, usually in the same direction, at their own pace. There is no game and, in most arenas, no sticks or pucks on the ice.
- Who it is for: anyone, from first-timers to experienced skaters, unless the session is reserved for a group.
- Equipment: skates, a helmet (strongly recommended, and required for children at many arenas), gloves and warm layers.
- Cost: free in some cities, a small admission in others.
Some public skates are reserved for a specific group. You will see names like Adult Skate, 55+ Skate or Senior Skate, Parent & Tot, Family Skate, or sessions designed for people who prefer a calm, low-stimulation environment. They exist so that everyone gets ice time at a comfortable pace: an adult-only skate at lunchtime is a very different experience from a busy family skate on a Sunday afternoon. On this site, a reserved session carries a label with the group it is meant for.
Shinny, or drop-in hockey
Shinny is informal hockey. Players show up, teams are made on the spot, and the game runs for the length of the session. There are no referees, no standings and usually no body contact. Cities call it shinny, drop-in hockey, pick up hockey, pickup hockey or pay-as-you-play hockey; it is the same idea.
- Who it is for: people who already skate comfortably and know the basics of hockey. Most sessions have an age range (adults 18+, youth of a given age, 40+, 55+ or older), and some are reserved for women or men.
- Equipment: at minimum skates, a CSA-certified hockey helmet, gloves and a stick. Many arenas require full equipment and a face guard or cage, especially for younger players. Check the session rules before you go.
- Registration: some cities take everyone who shows up until the session is full; others ask you to register or book a spot online, sometimes a few days ahead. Goalies often register separately and may play for free.
Shinny is one of the best ways to keep playing after organized hockey ends, or to start playing as an adult. If you are new, look for a session described as beginner or recreational, and read our guide to shinny etiquette before your first game.
Stick and puck
Stick and puck is individual practice with a stick and a puck: skating drills, stickhandling, passing against the boards, shooting on an empty net. There is no game. Some arenas set up pylons or divide the ice into zones.
- Who it is for: players who want to work on their skills, from kids learning to handle a puck to adults preparing for a season. Many sessions have an age range, and some are designed for a parent and a young child together.
- Equipment: skates, helmet (usually with a face guard), gloves and a stick. Pucks are flying around, so more protection is better. Some sessions for young children use soft or foam pucks.
- Registration: varies by city, from walk-in to online booking.
How to pick the right session
| If you want to… | Look for |
|---|---|
| Skate for fun, alone or with family | Public skating |
| Skate at a calmer pace with other adults | An adult or 55+ public skate |
| Introduce a toddler or preschooler to the ice | Parent & tot, or a family skate |
| Play a real game of hockey | Shinny / drop-in hockey |
| Practise shooting and stickhandling | Stick and puck |
A note on names
Every city writes its schedule a little differently. One city's Leisure Skate is another's Public Skate; one city's Shinny is another's Pick Up Hockey. To make comparisons easy, this site groups every session into three categories (public skating, drop-in hockey, and stick and puck) while keeping the city's own name for the session. When a name does not make clear who a session is for, we prefer to leave it out rather than guess.
Rules, fees and equipment requirements vary from one arena to another. Before you go, check the session details on the arena's official page, linked from every arena on this site.