President Trump’s trade policies have triggered a sharp decline in youth hockey participation, as rising equipment costs and supply chain disruptions squeeze local programs. Manufacturers report delays and price hikes for skates, sticks, and protective gear, forcing clubs to cut back on gear availability or raise fees for families already struggling with inflation. Experts warn that the ripple effects of tariffs on imports—particularly from Canada—are hitting small-town rinks hardest, where budgets are tightest. With registration numbers dropping and equipment shortages worsening, the sport’s grassroots foundation faces an uncertain future.

Opinion |Trump’s trade war has come for youth hockey  The Boston Globe