I want to play goalie

[I want to play goalie]

Thanks for all the great advice folks. I'm definitely going to give this a shot. At this point it's a matter of getting gear and getting myself physically ready to play.

Goalie skating is a lot different than player skating. Long blade, less support, different movements, and more restrictive gear make it a challenge. You will probably struggle in the beginning but get the hang of it through practice. If you want to get good at goalie or learn the right way, you will need goalie skates, if you learn on player skates you will not learn correctly and it will take you longer to get used to the movements.

That being said, your best bet is to go to sticktimes and open pickups and just practice. Sticktime is good for working by yourself and getting used to moving around and feeling out the position. Players at sticktime will only try breakaways on you 99% of the time so you can try and play against them but in my experience, all it does it make you pull muscles and tire you out fast.

Open hockey is the best practice and learning tool because you will get as close to real game playing as possible. You will learn to face shots, react to passing, etc than sticktime can't teach you. Most players will be happy to have any goalie in net so don't worry about showing up and being terrible.

Finally, just go on craigslist or ebay and outfit yourself with proper fitting gear or borrow/buy from someone and try it out. I made the leap and I love it doing what I said above. I have been playing goal for about 10 months and am going to start looking for a team to play for as I feel that I am ready to play in a league. I would advise against jumping into a league early because if you can't handle it, the players will get frustrated when you let in 15 goals a game, unless you get on a team or league that is beginners only!

What I mean about skating is should the first time I skate in 15 years really be in full gear for a open hockey session, or should I buy my skates and just go to some public skating and mess around to get the hang of being on the ice?

[I want to play goalie]

So how difficult is this going to be for someone that hasn't ice skated in 15 years or so?

On that note, would I be ok just showing up to an open ice thing to skate around with goalie skates, or should I get another pair to "learn on" or something?

[I want to play goalie]

Not sure, but its nice to meet another Kirsch. Long lost cousin? lol

Well my last name is Kirschbaum, people just call me Kirsch.

Good luck. I tried it for a couple of "fun" games and I was blown away by how physically demanding it is. The athleticism required is astounding. My lack of said athleticism is equally astounding.

Yeah this is certainly going to be a long term project. I have a lot of conditioning to do before I get out on the ice.

[I want to play goalie]

I suppose another question to ask is, how do I even get started, having never played goalie?

[I want to play goalie]

Previously, I played roller hockey. I haven't played for a year or two and want to start playing hockey again. I've always wanted to play ice hockey, and I've always wanted to give goalie a shot. So putting it all together, I want to play goalie in a beer league or some sort of adult league. (I'm going to be 25 soon)

How feasible is this?

I've never played ice hockey, and can't skate for shit. I have an idea what I need for equipment and all that, but how big of an asshole am I going to be just showing up and saying, I want to play goalie? Obviously, I would try and get out a couple of times a week to skate before entering a league.

Thoughts? Ideas? Tips? Words of discouragement?

I want to get back out there and play some hockey, so might as well try something new.

[Your current equipment]

Helmet: I want to say a Bauer 3000 but I could be very wrong

Elbows: Don't wear any right now

Pants: Black Biscuit Pro (I'm an inline guy)

Shins: Bauer 6000

Gloves: Mission M-1

Skates: Tour Beemer and Mission D3

Stick: TPS R2XN10 with a Jofa 5500 blade

In the process of getting some new stuff. Just picked up the Beemers and I would like to get another shaft and/or an OPS. Also going to get some new pants, elbows, and a girdle in the near future.