Who here actually plays hockey?

[Sloe Gin]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

(Gimme a break- when I was a kid girls weren't allowed to play hockey where I lived)

ah the good ol days.

[leswp1]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

ah the good ol days.

pbfffffth~!

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I doubt it counts, but played boot-hockey for about 10 years. Goalie/Defense.

If you grew up in Hawai'i or Arizona or Florida, it would probably count. But, seeing as how you're from Minnesota...no, no it doesn't.

ah the good ol days.

But, who would you punch in the face on the ice if they still couldn't?

[crazytechfan]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

ah the good ol days.

Next on the list to be hammerpunched....

[MavKato]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Played from kindergarten through tenth grade in house leagues, mostly as a goalie. reffed a couple of years in junior high.

now, the closest i get to the ice is on the zamboni.

[Slap Shot]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

1st year of mites no one wore masks yet. I took a stick to the forehead two games in and was knocked out for 5 minutes.

Played through sophomore year when I made JV. Broke my leg in tryouts junior year which kept me out of action until April which sucked because we went to the Class AA MN state tournament that year. Senior year broke my foot in the 6th game of football and that was all she wrote. Played intramurals in college but the past 10 years it's been mostly broomball.

[theprofromdover]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

1st year of mites no one wore masks yet. I took a stick to the forehead two games in and was knocked out for 5 minutes.

That explains everything.

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I'm bumping this thread to get some advice from the collective here...


One of my friends here in Chicago and myself got to talking, and we basically both decided that we wanted to give this silly game a shot... We figured that we would start out playing Rat Hockey for now and then if we ever got halfway decent, we could join a league or something... We both know how to skate at a medium level, but aren't fast or elegant, lol... He has never really played on ice before, and I only have a bit of pond hockey experience, so we're both pretty new to stick handling and other basic skills...

Is this a good way to start learning how to play, or are we better off trying to find a "Beginner/Never ever" type of league for the spring season (not sure if they even exist around the Chicago area)... I don't want to start showing up at drop in and realize that we're in over our heads... I would imagine that each rink probably has their own group of regulars for Rat Hockey, so I'd imagine it's a good thing to check out different rinks for different skill levels?

Also, would anyone have any suggestions on finding good deals on gear... I'm thinking PLAY-IT-AGAIN Sports would be a decent place to start...

Thanks

[brianvf]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Is this a good way to start learning how to play, or are we better off trying to find a "Beginner/Never ever" type of league for the spring season (not sure if they even exist around the Chicago area)...

Most adult leagues have varying skill levels within their league. I would recommend just joining a league and jump right in. Playing hockey will make you a better hockey player pretty quickly.

I would guess that Chicago has plenty of beginner adult hockey league choices for you. I live just out of Madison in a town of about 20k people, and the league I am in has three levels...beginner, intermediate, and advanced. I would guess that there are plenty of rinks in Chicago with a similar setup.

Have fun!

[pardonme]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I know when I lived in LA some of the rinks had learn to play hockey clinics for very beginner type of people. It was usually an hour of drills followed by a scrimmage once per week. I'm guessing if you look at rinks in the area you may find something like this. Most beginner adult leagues are pretty tolerant to people being really bad and new to playing, but I would get at least a couple of drop-ins in before your first game.

[KC8NIY]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Most adult leagues have varying skill levels within their league. I would recommend just joining a league and jump right in. Playing hockey will make you a better hockey player pretty quickly.

Agreed. The easiest way to get better is to play with and against better skilled players. You'll have a ton of fun.

You may also want to consider some skills clinics if they're available, especially for skating. You'll pick up stickhandling as you play.

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

...I don't want to start showing up at drop in and realize that we're in over our heads... I would imagine that each rink probably has their own group of regulars for Rat Hockey, so I'd imagine it's a good thing to check out different rinks for different skill levels?

I wouldn't write off the drop-in option. (also known as open hockey) Some drop-in groups have relatively long warm-up periods, which would give you a good chance to test your wings -- including any new gear. Also, lots of drop-in players get lazy on defense, which is helpful to the newcomer. Once the scoreboard is turned on, you'll see a little more hustle at all levels.

As you say, groups vary from rink to rink. Granted, when checking out the circuit you might stumble across a group made up of former elite players. If so, just move on to the next rink.

Also, would anyone have any suggestions on finding good deals on gear... I'm thinking PLAY-IT-AGAIN Sports would be a decent place to start...

Thanks

IIRC, Gunzo's is a leading hockey shop in Chicago. My memory could be wrong, but I think they have locations in Oak Park and Evanston. I tend to favor specialty shops over the generalists. Someone who really knows the sport can better direct you to cost effective purchases. If a piece of equipment doesn't fit right or is of poor quality, it's not a bargain.

[crazypotatoes]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Also, would anyone have any suggestions on finding good deals on gear... I'm thinking PLAY-IT-AGAIN Sports would be a decent place to start...

IIRC, Gunzo's is a leading hockey shop in Chicago. My memory could be wrong, but I think they have locations in Oak Park and Evanston. I tend to favor specialty shops over the generalists. Someone who really knows the sport can better direct you to cost effective purchases. If a piece of equipment doesn't fit right or is of poor quality, it's not a bargain.

You can definitely find some pretty good deals at play-it-again, but for the most part you're gonna want to find an actual hockey store. At the very least, find a hockey store for skate sharpening and advice, even if you decide to make your equipment purchases elsewhere.

[KC8NIY]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

At the very least, find a hockey store for skate sharpening and advice, even if you decide to make your equipment purchases elsewhere.

Please, just don't do that. If you want good advice, sack up and pay a little extra for the service. If you're gonna go buy elsewhere, don't go back looking for help with the stuff you bought elsewhere. It's poor etiquette and just plain rude to the shop and salesperson.

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Please, just don't do that. If you want good advice, sack up and pay a little extra for the service. If you're gonna go buy elsewhere, don't go back looking for help with the stuff you bought elsewhere. It's poor etiquette and just plain rude to the shop and salesperson.

Agreed.