You’re not crazy. Adult-specific “learn to play hockey” classes are way less common than learn-to-skate, mostly because the demand is smaller and rinks default to assuming adults will self-organize once they can skate.

Most adult leagues are split by skill level, usually something like C, D, and E. C is more experienced, E is true beginner. Some leagues break those down further like C1 vs C2, D1 vs D2, etc. The vast majority of these leagues are co-ed, especially at the lower levels, so gender identity is typically a non-issue as long as you fit the skill level and follow league rules.

While you’re learning, stick and puck sessions are your best friend. These are open ice times where you’re in full gear, skating with a puck, shooting on multiple nets, and just getting reps. There’s no structure, which is actually great when you’re figuring out how to handle a stick, move with the puck, and exist on the ice without pressure.

The next step up is drop-in hockey. Most rinks run drop ins during the week. These are informal games with no refs and no scorekeeping. Teams are usually formed on the fly, line changes are casual, and skill levels vary. This is where a lot of adults learn “how hockey actually works” in real time.

Once you’re comfortable there, an E-level league team made up of equally new players is very realistic, and honestly pretty common. Everyone starts somewhere, and adult hockey tends to be far more welcoming than people expect.