There's More to ‘Hockey Moms’ Than Lipstick

By now, we all know Sarah Palin's take on "the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull." (“Lipstick.”)

Hey, they didn’t call her Sarah Barracuda for nothing.

But who are ‘hockey moms’ really?

“[We’re] not all pit bulls,” says Liz Goddard, executive director of Hockeymoms.com www.hockeymoms.com and a hockey mom, herself. “But we are tough.”

Often compared to soccer moms, hockey moms are known for their enthusiasm and dedication, Goddard says. But the biggest difference lies in budgeting. Hockey can run a family thousands of dollars, including equipment and membership fees, let alone the almost mandatory travel expenses that come with traveling rink to rink.

“Soccer is played more locally, there is much less travel,” she says. “Even used equipment for hockey can [run a tab] of about $400. In soccer, all you really need is a good pair of cleats.”

Take a look at some (of the many) responsibilities these mothers face and get a glimpse of who they are.

Where They Live: Where are the hockey moms? It depends, or course, on where the hockey-tots are. According to USA Hockey, the national governing body for amateur hockey, the states with the largest membership are:

Michigan: 52,371 total players (34,507 under the age of 19)

Minnesota: 51,014 total players (44,775 under the age of 19)

New York: 44,150 total players (34,636 under the age of 19)

Massachusetts: 41,960 total players (39,112 under the age of 19)

The player population of these states account for 41% of the 461,594 registered players that make up the organization.

Other hockey states, according to Baltimore Sun sports blogger Dan Rodricks, include the key political battlegrounds of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The Median Income for 4-Person Family in the Top Hockey Mom States: While it is not necessarily connected to only hockey mom families, check out some of the economic facts regarding these four states:

National:
Median Household Income: $44,334 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2004)
Median Home Value: $119,600 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2000)

Michigan:
Median Household Income: $44,409 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2004)
Median Home Value: $115,600 USD (U.S. Census Bureau - 2000)

Minnesota:
Median Household Income: $51,202 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2004)
Median Home Value: $122,400 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2000)

New York:
Median Household Income: $45,342USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2004)
Median Home Value: $148,700 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2000)

Massachusetts:
Median Household Income: $53,657 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2004)
Median House Value: $185,700 USD (U.S. Census Bureau – 2000)

What They Drive: An SUV of some sort. “They tend to have larger cars, which take up a lot of gas,” Goddard says. These gas guzzlers are essential for carpooling, holding equipment and voyaging far and wide for tournaments, which tend to be commonplace in the world of youth hockey, she adds. On average, Goddard estimates hockey moms spend anywhere from $50-80 a week on gas for hockey-related activities.

Can’t Live Without: Coffee! It’s practically an attachment, says Goddard. “It’s a convenient legal stimulant.” Besides, it keeps the moms warm as they hover around the ice rink.

Most Likely Dinner Specialty: “These (hockey) kids can eat as much as grown men at times,” says Goddard explains. Often, hockey moms have to prepare two dinners, one before practice and one after. The meals should be high in protein, to sustain muscle, low in sugar and low in fat. Also, incorporating carbohydrates for stored energy is important. To do this, many hockey moms resort to stews, or “Crock Pot Cooking,” Goddard explains. “These are nutritious and can hold for hours." They are made by combining chopped vegetables with meat and letting it sit for about eight hours after the food is cooked.

Average Hours of Sleep (In-Season): The hockey schedule is demanding, and combined with the other roles a typical hockey mom is juggling (school and family schedules, possible employment obligations, etc.), sleep may move to the bottom of the “to do” list. During the usual hockey season, which covers the fall and winter months, a hockey mom may only sleep about five hours a night, specifically on nights when there is practice or a game.

Average Cost of Supporting the Child Hockey Player: While there is no recorded average cost per season, due largely to the fact that different ice rinks vary in price per use, Rae Briggle, assistant executive director for member services at USA Hockey, says things get expensive when equipment and ice time are taken into account. “Higher level (leagues) or travel hockey can cost more than house league,” she says. And ice time can range from $50-400 per practice.