Hockey players

by AlexStitch on Nov 6, 2009 1:18 PM EST

Hey what's up everyone? So this is just a curiosity post. I'm 22 years old and I want to start playing hockey. I've played street hockey before, but never ice, so I at least know how to skate on roller.

Any suggestions for a beginner? Do you think it's too late I should give up? I've already gotten some skates and have been practicing while I'm trying to get all of my pads and equipment.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, on anything- technique, equipment, what to focus on first, whatever.

Thanks everyone. Go Pens!

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Skating is a good place to start. I used to play roller hockey every day for about 8 years but then had to take a break while in college. After four years of not skating I tried to get back at it again and it was pretty embarrassing. It only took about 2 weeks or so to get back on track but it’s definitely not like riding a bike. Not to get all fitness freak on ya, but you really don’t notice how important it is to strengthen the stabilizers in your ankles/knees until you’re flopping around the rink like a fish.

I never played full-contact ice hockey but I have ice skated enough to hold my own. A little game of shinny here and there but nothing that required a lot of equipment.

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by FrankD on Nov 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST reply actions

I started at 33 for roller and 34 for ice (though I don’t play either very often). I’d say it’s not too late. :-)

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

"Don't beat yourself!"--Darrell Waltrip

by GreenEyedLilo on Nov 6, 2009 3:51 PM EST reply actions

a couple things

on skating:

#1: crossovers, skating backwards, spinnig, going to your knees and back on your feet (with out using hands or stick to aid you). do these religously (about 10 to 20 reps per segment) and your going to have solid balance in no time. dont forget to work on running starts and stops regularly. i have the biggest problem with the stops, repitition is the key.

: shooting

get a bag full or pucks and just start shooting and stickhandleing. youll notice that the ice puck is SIGNIFICANTLY heavier then a roller puck. I am in the process of switching back to roller since there is no ice at my current locale.

gear:

its all personal preferance really. one stick isnt all that much better then the next. if you have a weak shot the stick wont improve it that much and if you cant hit the net the stick wont help at all. try different ones untill you find the right match. Skates are the same way, if you slow rockering the blade on the skate doesnt provide a significant speed increase although it does provide some, nothing real major.

pads is all about what level of preotection you want. I like to get dirty block shots and stand in front of the net to try and get tip in and deflections. so i go for heavier grade stuff since im always getting beat up. but its really up to you..

hope this helps and if you have any questions drop me a pm or something

" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Nov 6, 2009 5:37 PM EST reply actions

on shooting

i cant even feal that light roller puck…kinda sucks but the feel is lsowly coming back

" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Nov 6, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

oh and fyi

i didnt start palying untill i was 12 or 13. its never to late

" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Nov 6, 2009 5:40 PM EST reply actions

Indeed.

I’m 15 right now. I started playing two years ago, and have been on the top line of my travel team since I joined. As oldtime noted, you’re going to want to work a great deal on your skating. The stickhandling will probably come with the skating, if you have played enough street hockey. If you’re trying to make a team of any sort, I would also note that the more grit you have, the better your chance of making any team. I think the main reason I get to play on the line I do is that I drive the center lane on rushes and get in front of the net for deflections and rebounds. You will make an impression very quickly if you can do the same, as well as displaying good skating ability. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your time playing the best sport on earth.

Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89

by wg1of5 on Nov 6, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions

There’s a rink (actually, a complex of several rinks) near Pittsburgh that has adult beginner ice leagues. Some of those guys are in their 40s and 50s. As long as your object is to have fun, there’s no reason you can’t start almost anytime.

by JustinM on Nov 7, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions