But I've legit never played fantasy hockey. The only thing I know is that it's much different from football due to teams playing throughout the week but that's about it.

I've tried google but I'm also an idiot so I'm just looking to see if someone can point me in the right direction to some learning material

It is tough to get into pools when the season has started.

I wish I could help but there are shorter term pools as well. I just don't know much about them.

see if there are pools starting up on yahoo for next month and do the mock draft to get an idea of which position to pick in what round, how to look for good value picks and so forth.

Hockey can be difficult to manage because on big game days (usually Saturdays) you are going to have to make choices on who will be your starting goalie(s), which players to bench based on the teams opponent and so fourth.

Football has this too of course but you are looking at more options on who to play/bench mostl ikely.

Start with daily fantasy to get familiar with the concept, players, teams and then choose one of our leagues starting next season.

This

Or you can still join a league on ESPN, granted it will be just a public league with unknowns, but thats the best way to learn imo. Actually playing the game with randos where it doesnt really matter.
And then next season you can join in on jsp leagues.
The majority of leagues here use the head-to-head categories format (personally i prefer h2h points format myself though)

Goodluck, hope that helps

It's more involved than fantasy football, you have to set teams daily. Pretty quick way to get into hockey though.