My First Hockey Game

[awall 0]

I had my last skate school practice last night. I kinda started running shy on funds and had to choose between the private coach and skate school, and I really like my coach. Anyway last night was a total BLAST! Our coach who is primarily a goalie coach suited up for the first time I've ever seen (for skate school at least) and we got to shoot on him some, we also had the younger goalie there too. I am proud to say that I lit my coach up 3 times before he finally shut me down. I know this was just drills and stuff, but I was stoked. At one point after I had lit him up he put the kid in the net and I could't get passed him, he then commented "great you can score on me, but not the kid". I was great! Towards the end of practice we did a little of 3 on 3. I am happy/sad to say that I gave my first check. I had the puck and was going to the net when one of the other team stopped in front of me, I lowered my right sholder and pushed him out of my way. He went down, but had the good sense enough to still get his stick on my puck. Oh well, better luck next time. That got me to thinking and hoping. I am a fairly big guy and if I can have the option of going through defencemen rather than around them.... I checked with my I-league coordinator and found out that that is not legal in our league. So sad.

Anyway I just had to share.

Adam

[Sven 1]

Its cool that you keep us updated, Adam.

Nice to hear your skills improve very quickly, be proud of it.

Greets

[awall 0]

Its cool that you keep us updated, Adam.

Nice to hear your skills improve very quickly, be proud of it.

Greets

Thanks for reading. I don't have too many friends I can talk hockey with so I find the boards very useful. I'm also happy that my skills are improving. Every now and then it gets frustrating thinkin that I'm doing all this practice and not seeing much results and then I have a good night and go WOW I really am improving!

Part of me laments that I didn't pick this up sooner, but I also realize that I couldn't have affored it any sooner.

[Sven 1]

Well i know this of myself.

Sometimes i was like "I wanna quit, its not my sport..." and on the other week its like "What? Hockey is just awesome. Im gettin better and better"

Just hang on.. its just a matter of time and desire.

[freq019 0]

EndBoards is right about D being something that takes a lot of time to get used to.  I'm still pretty new to hockey and have lots to learn.  I'm starting my 5th year playing after starting at 22 years old.  I play defense regularly on my adult rec team, mainly because I skate backwards pretty well, but it's also the only position I've really wanted to play since I started.  Wing and center are fine, but I've just always wanted to become a good defenseman.   

Awall, don't worry about it.  D is totally different.  You aren't trying to make the pretty play or the pretty pass.  Instead, you're suppose to ruin them.  If this was you're first crack at it yeah, no wonder you had a time with it.  If defense is something you really want to try, then give it some time till you're more comfortable all around.  And a thing I really like is when you've got a consistant partner.  It lets you take some risks cause you know what the other guy is going to do.  You work together and get more comfortable taking some risks cause you know the other guy will cover. 

As for your offsides question, if the puck comes out of the offensive zone, everyone on your team has to clear out to behind the offensive blue line.  The blue line closest to the goal you're shooting on.

I have to disagree somewhat. My favorite part about playing D is hitting someone with a great outlet pass. Well, that and drilling a big slapper on net.

don't forget drilling a shot off the guy that doesn't have full pads on too ;)

[CHIEF22 0]

Thanks for posting, Adam. As I am in the same boat with you it is making me more excited to start playing as well. I have been going to skating lessons and public skates to feel more comfortable on the ice. I skated as a kid but never had the chance to play. So now at the young age of 38 it's time to go for it. I am starting a clinic the 19th of September and have a team lined up to play on in the local mens league. The majority of that team is all beginners as well. So thanks again for your posting. It's great to see the "older" crowd get excited about learning something new.

[awall 0]

So now at the young age of 38 it's time to go for it.

Aww nuts! I was hoping to hold the title of oldest beginner on this board. I just turned 34 this year. I can't begin to tell you how many of the coaches and other people I've talked to be amazed that somone our age taking up the sport.

[CHIEF22 0]

So now at the young age of 38 it's time to go for it.

Aww nuts! I was hoping to hold the title of oldest beginner on this board. I just turned 34 this year. I can't begin to tell you how many of the coaches and other people I've talked to be amazed that somone our age taking up the sport.

Sorry about that, but oh well.

As far as taking it up at a late age, we have to do something to keep our old,fat, butts in shape. And basketball is getting boring, and too many "young egos" at the gym.

[awall 0]

As far as taking it up at a late age, we have to do something to keep our old,fat, butts in shape.

Never forget! Round is a shape.

I never liked basketball. It may have had something to do with never being able to lob the ball into that little hoop with any consistency. Besides in hockey you get to cary clubs and use them throughout the game, just not on other people. Ideally at least. ;)

Awall

[jjtt99 0]

I started at 31 and after about a year and a half I turned the corner and instead of trying to play hockey I was playing hockey.

I still have a long way to go, but people think I'm lying when I tell them I've been playing for only three seasons.

Stick with it!!

JJ