The RinkFor the not so ready for prime-time players, coaches, referees, and the people that have to live with them. Discuss experiences in local leagues, coaching tips, equipment, and training.
Last night, my wife and I discussed the idea of getting our 19-month old son some skates and a helmet as part of his Christmas or birthday (end of January) present. He's pretty solid on his feet; been walking for 5 months, running well for awhile now. Has anyone else had a similar discussion in the past? Good / bad experience? Thanks.
You mean you haven't gotten him skates and a helmet yet? What kind of Canadian parent are you??
All joking aside, 2 y.o. is a pretty good time to start skating, but be prepared for a sore back. You'll be hunched over holding him up for a while. We waited for our daughter to reach 3 y.o. before putting her on the ice and snow (skiiing). She had a better understanding of how slippery it can be and wasn't turned off it by falling a lot. Having said that, if he picks it up quickly, starting saving for minor hockey.
First game of the season and we won 4-1. I got an assist. Passed it to the guy then planted my ass in front of the goalie for a nice screen, haha. Not a bad start.
Last night I had my best night of scoring to date, 5 points. 4 goals and 1 assist, including a natural hat trick. We really needed to win the game in order to make the playoffs so I told myself I was going to do what it took to play my best.
I've been experimenting with a new snap shot and scored twice with it yesterday. When you can do it right it is so much more effective than a wrister.
Getting up for work after an 11PM game was not so tough today after that night.
This morning I...after watching a trainer, train someone else, picked up on my own how to do a quick stop and transition it into backwards skating. Now if only I can learn backwards crossovers, that'd be swell.
Today i was honestly going to go to Public skate, actually drove to the rink, but then that stupid mature side of me told myself that i really should be studying my chemistry so i drove back to the school library to study.
Went to a hockey scrimmage today and no net minders turned up, even though they get free ice time. On today's evidence though it seems it is harder to score rebounding off the end boards into a reversed goal than against an actual NM.
Went to a hockey scrimmage today and no net minders turned up, even though they get free ice time. On today's evidence though it seems it is harder to score rebounding off the end boards into a reversed goal than against an actual NM.
I went to stick and puck the other day and HAD TO PAY to get in as a goalie
Went to a hockey scrimmage today and no net minders turned up, even though they get free ice time. On today's evidence though it seems it is harder to score rebounding off the end boards into a reversed goal than against an actual NM.
We had that happen to us last week, but we decided to play three post where you it only counted if you lifted the puck off the ice before hitting the post. Made it challenging while working on your accuracy.
Rented ice, found another team to play a "preseason" game against and then spent all day trying to find a backup goalie because our regular one is out of town.
In case anyone is wondering, the single most important attribute of a rec league goalie is not GAA, save pct., a steady demeanor, willingness to pay or even attitude in the dressing room. It's that he shows up and doesn't cause the team rep stress..
Wound up going five-hole on the goalie at practice yesterday. First time I've got the "flip up over the paddle as soon as it hits the ice" trick to work.
In case anyone is wondering, the single most important attribute of a rec league goalie is not GAA, save pct., a steady demeanor, willingness to pay or even attitude in the dressing room. It's that he shows up and doesn't cause the team rep stress..
Yeah, I play in a proper organised amateur men's league and I often get calls from the rec team asking if I want some free ice time because one of their goalies isn't showing up for practice.
Won our semi-final game so we are playing the championship game of our summer league. No thanks to me though, man do I struggle at this level. I'm "doing all the little things" though so they tolerate me, but I am out of my element.
Bought ALL of my gear for Chris Chelios' "Learn to Play" class that starts September 6th. Spent $120 on; used pants and chest pads (both look like new), new hockey socks, practice jersey, shin pads, and elbow pads. Yikes hockey is expensive...
$120 for above mentioned gear
$70 for Bauer 4500 Helmet
$70 for Bauer 4 roll gloves
$90 for Warrior 11k stick
$20 for practice wood stick
$150 x2 for "Learn to Skate" lessons
$110 for "Learn to Play" lessons
$100 (roughly) for all the Public skates i went to since March
$45 for used Bauer Total One skates
+___________
=$925 spent on hockey since February.
You know what though, i dont regret a single dollar. I've been watching the Hawks play since they drafted Toews, have been playing hockey video games since NHL 95, and have absolutely loved all things hockey since 2007. Just learning how to skate has been phenomanal. I'm 22 and my only regret is that i didn't start learning this earlier. I've never done anything this challenging and then STUCK WITH IT. Its honestly a daily pat on my back knowing that i went from never skating before to being able to do backwards crossovers in 6 months. All the hard work i've put in, all the 15 early ass, post drinking, Saturday morning Learn to Skates, all those 2-3 public skate sessions per week this summer, really paid off.
I played baseball from when i was 5 until 17 and even just skating completely blows it out of the water. I couldn't be happier that i'm doing this.
Today my brother and I, who first started skating in June, went to our second stick time & Adult Learn to Play class. We had gone maybe 10 times to public skating. We've both purchased our gear. Both signed up for the Fall / Winter league starting next month.
We're definitely very beginner... but tonight felt great. I feel like I get better on my skates every time I go out there.
Today my brother and I, who first started skating in June, went to our second stick time & Adult Learn to Play class. We had gone maybe 10 times to public skating. We've both purchased our gear. Both signed up for the Fall / Winter league starting next month.
We're definitely very beginner... but tonight felt great. I feel like I get better on my skates every time I go out there.
Well, hello, brother!
Felt really great out there. Onwards to the start of Fall League hockey!
Today I went to adult drop-in night at puckmasters for 10$. It was 3 on 3 and there waas 8 players a team. For a smaller guy, (5'9) I held my ground against all the older guys and had numerous breakaways and scoring chances. I didn't end up with a goal, but I had a couple of nice assists and played defense relatively well.
Won our semi-final game so we are playing the championship game of our summer league. No thanks to me though, man do I struggle at this level. I'm "doing all the little things" though so they tolerate me, but I am out of my element.
Congrats Jarick! Enjoy the final and best of luck to you guys. I was also one of the least capable on my winter team, but was on the ice for the game winning goal in 2nd overtime. No matter what role you play it's all meant to be.
Today I.. am recovering from stepping on the ice last night, for the first time since April. New (higher) league, new team.
I noticed that after 30-40 sec on the ice my legs were starting to give, shot was terribly inconsistent and balance was awful (extra 10lbs don't help). Lots of work up ahead to get back into season form.
Thinking of changing up between cardio, and some interval exercises on land for the next couple of weeks before the actual season starts.
Today I signed up for the beginner league at the rink closest to me. I'll be playing in the D-league on Sundays and the Breakout league on Mondays.
I spoke with the director of adult hockey since I am going in as a free agent - she had three teams looking for players so I told her I wanted the one most likely to be happy to have a woman player who isn't great, since I've only been playing for 6 months. She said there are LOTS of real beginners in the league (as opposed to C and B players playing down) and that if I wasn't happy on the team, she'd move me to a different one.
