Meet Ray Ferrier | Adult Hockey Ambassador

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ray Ferrier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ray, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business actually stemmed from a personal passion that unexpectedly became a pivotal part of my life. At 35, I ventured into the world of ice hockey at the invitation of a friend, and from the moment I stepped onto the rink, I was captivated. What began as a recreational activity soon evolved into something much more profound.

Over the course of about a year playing with this club, I began to recognize the many ways in which hockey was positively impacting my life. It wasn’t just about the thrill of the game; it became evident that hockey was enhancing my physical fitness, mental well-being, and even my relationships as a husband, a father and even a better friend. It was an experience that brought me happiness, camaraderie, and personal growth in ways I had never imagined.

Within months it dawned on me that hockey wasn’t just a hobby; it was a transformative force that had the potential to benefit others as much as it had benefited me. With that realization, I made the decision to share my newfound love for the sport by creating a club that could eventually evolve into a business that would allow me to spend my life doing what I loved. The idea of turning something I was genuinely passionate about into a profession was incredibly appealing, and I embraced the notion that if you do what you love, work doesn’t feel like work.

And so, at the age of 40, I embarked on the journey of making hockey accessible to as many people as possible. My goal was simple yet profound: to spread the joy, fulfillment, and positive impact that ice hockey had brought to my life to others. Thus, my business was born out of a deep-seated passion and a desire to share the transformative power of hockey with the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Founded in Arizona in 2009, Puckhead Hockey Club was originally created to help overcome hurdles and provide opportunity.

I was 35 years old when I got invited to play hockey for the first time and quickly realized that there were many conditions and financial barriers that had to be overcome just to get started. Luckily I was able to work through those conditions and get on the ice but I quickly realized that there were so many people that were just not that lucky and those people were going to miss out on one of lifes most amazing experiences if I didnt find a way to help them through those initial road blocks.

The first and probably one of the most significant issues was simply the cost of hockey equipment. It can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to purchase new hockey equipment and that is even before you get an opportunity to try the sport to see if you will even like it. Generally, this is where people make the decision to give up. Because they have no idea what to expect, it is very difficult to justify that kind of expense on something that seems fairly out of reach in the first place. I decided that I was not going to let this be the cause for someone to miss out on what I had discovered about hockey and I had to find a way to provide free equipment to anyone who needed it.

I accomplished this goal by reaching out to everyone I knew and asked them to donate any used gear they had. This proved to be a huge step in the right direction! By removing this initial financial barrier it opened the flood gates and we started our growth. This initiative has grown exponentially, allowing us to assist and serve not only our fellow club members but also various other programs and events aligned with our goal to make “Hockey for Everyone” a reality. This eventually developed into our non-profit mission through our 501(c)3 Charity, Puckhead Hockey Club Charities (a.k.a PHC Charities, inc. which is a separate entity from Puckhead Hockey Club, LLC). Many of these programs are now funded by donations and financial contributions from current club members who got their start in the game through help from these same services.

The next hurdle was what to do once you have the equipment…
Traditionally, a person would just go out and pay a fee to get on the open ice for public stick time to start learning how to skate and then eventually try to do a few clinics on how to play hockey. If they made it this far (which is rare) they would then try to join an adult hockey team or attend a pick up game. Both of these options are equally tragic and unproductive for new players. Both styles of hockey require a strong working knowledge of the game and a pretty significant level of experience. When new players enter these games with so little experience, the failure rate is very high.

What truly sets us apart from the traditional path is our holistic approach to welcoming newcomers into the sport. We don’t just hand out equipment and send players onto the ice alone. Instead, we provide comprehensive support, including free ice time and personalized training sessions, ensuring that each player receives the guidance they need from day one. This commitment extends beyond the initial stages of learning; we accompany players on their entire journey, offering a sustainable path for growth.

Once a player is stable on the ice, we take them to the next step and invite them to become a Puckhead Hockey Club member and join in our games. Through our unique style and culture of hockey we provide a fun, safe and sustainable process for new players to gain the confidence and experience necessary to continue growing in the sport. What makes our program so unique is our passion for the development of each and every member. Central to our philosophy is the promotion of a positive and inclusive environment. Unlike traditional hockey settings where new players often feel overwhelmed or excluded, our club prioritizes skill parity and camaraderie. By structuring games to include players of all levels on separate lines, we foster an atmosphere of mutual support and friendship, where experienced players mentor and encourage newcomers. Our dedicated focus on skill parity means that new players get to learn to play against new players. It also gives a sustainable path for new players to grow their skills and continue to more competitive levels of play over time. Furthermore, we do not ever allow any kind of unsafe, chippy or retaliatory behavior in our events. This promotes confidence, comradery and lasting friendships for everyone!

In 15 years we have grown from just 20 members to over 3,500 members who have contributed to what our Club is today.

We also provide other member benefits not found in any other program such as a free set of custom jerseys so that all players are part of a team and feel united. Typical pick up hockey does not do this and players just show up as individuals in what ever jersey color they like. This does promote the unity we work for.

Our growth has not been without its challenges. Managing the rapid expansion of the club has required a lot of strategic planning and a steadfast dedication to our core values. We’ve learned the importance of community building, personal and business adaptability, and staying true to our mission amidst organizational changes.

Gina and I are very proud to be part of such an incredible group of people. Although we carry the responsibility of management, the Clubs success is almost exclusively attributed to the personal integrity, commitment and contribution of each and every member. What makes us most happy is the impact the Club has had on individuals’ lives. Every new member who discovers or continues a passion for hockey through our program represents a triumph over the barriers they once faced. Our story is one of empowerment, friendship, and the belief that hockey is truly for everyone. As we continue to expand our reach, our vision remains the same…. to bring the joy of hockey to individuals wherever there’s ice to skate on.

We believe the future of Puckhead Hockey Club is incredibly exciting, Our passion for extending this opportunity to others drives us forward as we expand from Arizona to California and beyond, with the dream of making ice hockey accessible to everyone, everywhere. Puckhead Hockey Club isn’t just a sports club; it’s a movement committed to inclusivity, aiming to break down barriers of age, gender, race, social background, hockey experience and financial means. Our proudest achievement is the positive impact we’ve had on individual lives, with each new member finding joy and empowerment through our program. Our vision remains steadfast: to spread this opportunity globally, wherever there’s ice to skate on, embodying our belief that hockey is truly for everyone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This one is easy,

Because hockey is our life, any friend coming to visit would fully expect to be encouraged to get some gear and get on the ice. If they refused, then they would probably have to agree to at least come watch us play! Of course after most games many of the players go out together for food and bev at the local bar and grill so this gives our visitor another opportunity to meet new friends and be exposed to the hockey culture.

If this was the friends first visit he/she probably would not have known to schedule other personal time because otherwise they would probably be stuck working with us at one of our equipment storage facilities organizing and maintaining used stinky hockey equipment. Of course we like to do other things besides just hockey… we like to travel… For example, we travel to other countries couple times a year… oh wait, those are for hockey tournaments. Did I mention that hockey is our life?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am profoundly grateful to my parents for instilling upon me the invaluable lesson of a diligent work ethic which has always been a fundamental part of who I am and where I am today. Their unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my life.

I also extend heartfelt appreciation to my family, Denice, Thomas, Nicholas and Rose whose faith in me gave me the courage to pursue my passions fearlessly.

Next to my life partner and best friend Gina who has worked along side me every step of this journey. She has been a constant source of encouragement, inspiration and strength. She helps me make sound decisions and remind me daily that we do this work because we love what it does for others and that our mission is not driven by finances but rather to share the love of hockey and help others experience that same joy.

Lastly, I extend my deepest gratitude to the multitude of friends we’ve made in the hockey community over the past 15 years. The experiences we have shared together and the stories they share with us about how Puckhead Hockey Club has effected their personal lives fuels our passion for the game, our mission and the community we are building together. We are excited to help create lasting memories for all who share in our passion.

Website: www.puckheadhockey.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puckheadhockeyclub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HockeyForEveryone/

Other: Our Charity sites are: www.phccharities.org and https://www.facebook.com/phccharities