Hockey parents: what do you drive?

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Over 600,000 people were registered to play hockey in Canada for the 2019-2020 season according to the International Ice Hockey Federation. While that’s down from the heyday of the 2014/2015 season that saw over 720,000 lacing up their skates, it’s still a lot of kids (big and little) who have to get to the rink. Many of these sports families mentioned they switch to baseball or other sports in the off-season, and while you can’t get much bigger than a hockey gear bag, summer sports mean umbrellas and chairs, and coolers. So what’s the best vehicle to cover all these bases?

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In speaking with multiple families, a pattern emerges when it comes to hockey transportation: as little players become bigger players, and as families expand their own home team, their vehicles of choice evolve along with them. It’s not just about having enough space for massive hockey bags and long sticks; families are frequently on the road most days of the week and are often hauling along extra players. Two kids, two games in two different venues? You learn to carpool early, and that “car” had better be ready to become a second home.

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Hockey parents: what do you drive? Back to video

“You hear it all the time,” says Veronica Jenik, a mother of three boys aged nine, seven, and three in the GTA. “I didn’t want a minivan. Then the minute I drove the Pacifica, I realized it was the answer.” She describes the family’s transitions over the years. “At first, with one kid, we had a Golf. That worked fine.” When her second son started playing, they moved up to a Mazda CX5. “That was great for two kids,” she says. But by the time the family added a third future NHLer to their ranks, they once again found themselves looking for better mobile accommodations.

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“I was always worried about kids booting open doors and hitting other parked cars,” she explains. “I knew sliding doors were the answer, and the first time I drove our 2018 Pacifica, it felt right.” That vehicle is loaded with family-friendly features. I asked Jenik how the kids felt. “Oh, we initially said ‘no screens unless we’re on long trips’ but gave that up pretty fast,” she laughs. “The kids are watching Mighty Ducks or Paw Patrol or The Sandlot, the oldest is in the far back where he can’t reach his brother to fight, and everybody is happy.” A nice bonus is Jenik loves the smooth ride, uses the great nav system, and appreciates settings that let her and her husband have customized rides.

With the Pacifica — the kids have named it Darth Vader — being the perfect utility vehicle for the family, it’s also one they plan to keep for many years. “Can I add one thing?” asks Jenik. “Get those WeatherTech mats.” She’s right. Engineered to fit perfectly, they stop a lot of moisture from getting into the carpet and being trapped against the panels, creating erosion. 

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Kelly Minns, from Hamilton, and her family went through a similar progression as their hockey-playing 16-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter rose through the ranks. “We had a 2004 Trailblazer, but the repairs were brutal and it was hard on gas. That led to a 1998 Explorer, which was fabulous for the space, even if we had five kids along with five hockey bags.” As her two entered rep hockey, the family spent a lot of time in their vehicle. They currently drive a 2014 Santa Fe and they’re down to just their son still playing, but Minns says the replacement vehicle “when prices settle down” will likely be a used Ridgeline. 

Dave Bennett from Burlington made it clear why a pickup truck was the choice for his family when their two boys were still playing. He had a 2013 Ford F-150 Platinum crew cab. “The passenger space in the backseat was so good for the long road trips (plus there’s a plug-in back there to charge their devices), and having the equipment in the box outside of the vehicle made a huge difference. Our oldest’s equipment smelled like a barnyard at the best of times, so it was a blessing, particularly on the long road trips, to have it out of the cabin.” Bennett says roughly half the other families in their cohort were driving pickup trucks — and for the same odorous reason.

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Ashra Goosen-Ianni of Oshawa went one step further: she succinctly ran the family (her kids are six and nine) vehicle history in a countdown to the best. Fourth place, their 2011 Kia Optima. “ It held one bag and a kid’s stick, but the trunk hinges came into the trunk too far. Great on gas & peppy with the four-cylinder turbo.” Next came a  2015 Lexus GS350.  “Super comfortable for all passengers, good on gas (although premium). Easily held equipment & luggage for tournaments, but sticks had to go in the backseat.” Second place? “2015 Ford Flex: discontinued, but it had the same wheelbase as the Explorer. It was our workhorse. Hockey equipment & luggage for four? The trunk has got you covered. As a seven seater? I hope you have a roof rack. While comfortable(ish) the V6 Ecoboost is not eco-friendly or friendly on the wallet. The only saving grace was it took regular gas.”

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Today, her family has landed on a 2019 Land Rover Discovery HSE. “While not the most accessible vehicle we’ve owned, it is by far our favourite. It has more cargo room than the Flex and a ride that feels like you’re in your living room for the passengers.” She notes the six-cylinder requires premium gas, but better mileage brings it in line with how much the Flex was costing to operate. “With the third row up, you’d once again need a roof rack, but it would be worth it,” she says.

If you have more than one kiddo in hockey, size matters. As families ferry their offspring (and others) almost daily around vast sections of the province, the vehicle they drive is more like a home base. Minivans, SUVs, pickup trucks. How did we ever manage with a station wagon?