Non-check leagues

[technophile 0]

Not sure if other non check beer leagues can manage this, but in Austin we usually do a draft before the start of every season.

Good idea in theory, but I wouldn't want to play with a bunch of random guys every other season. Part of the reason I play is the friendship and camaraderie I've got with my teammates.

I played 2-1/2 seasons in the same league (different division) as hockeyherb and I can tell you that while there is a certain amount of turnover, the teams aren't completely random. Each team usually manages to hang on to a significant number of their players; you might get one or two sniped away in the first rounds, especially if they had good seasons, and of course you might choose to not to draft some people again (for whatever reason), but by and large the core of the team stays the same.

[Jarick 5]

This is an interesting topic, or at least the league systems that the thread has turned into.

I just started playing again after 10 years away, and I play open hockey once a week and with a somewhat regular groups of skaters once a week.

The open hockey usually has a mix of old guys that play regularly and former high schoolers. Usually there's a lot of guys that are mediocre (of which I am one), a lot of hot shot guys that can't play on a team, and a few guys that are actually really good and team players (usually defensemen). There's usually some pushing and shoving, no big hits, but last week for some reason people were pushing the no-check to the limit (I got crosschecked from behind for instance). I can easily see this escalating to violent acts on or off ice.

The regular skaters are much better, play as a team, and can play physical but never hit. Everyone knows everyone else, so it's a lot more of a fun environment. You'll get pushed off the play, a little tugging and occasionally the good natured hook (if such a thing does exist). Mock fights have erupted which are pretty funny as well.

Personally, I'm trying to skate as often as possible and improve as much as possible and try and get on some kind of league. Luckily I live in the metro area of Minnesota, which has a pretty extensive adult league system. I believe there is a "tryout" with a skills demonstration for judges, probably skating and shooting, as well as a scrimmage game to determine skill level. Don't know anything about the play, but I would like to at least try out next year and see how I do as well as see if and how I've improved this year.

[nspeen 0]

hey Jarick what cities do you play open hockey at?

[iceholes 0]

feel free to skate with your head down in our NO CHECK league. Accidental/Incidental contact still takes place, allowing for a fun game.

[chk hrd 164]

Not sure if other non check beer leagues can manage this, but in Austin we usually do a draft before the start of every season.

Good idea in theory, but I wouldn't want to play with a bunch of random guys every other season. Part of the reason I play is the friendship and camaraderie I've got with my teammates. We have a core group that's been together over 4 yrs. We've been good, we've been bad, but we always have fun. I understand the reasoning for a draft, I just wouldn't like to play in that type of league.

Here in the Raleigh area all the men's leagues are non-check. I really wish there was one check league that all those who want to hit could join. It would sure make my life as both a player and a ref much easier.

My beer league mixes up the team every session (10 games). It lets you meet alot of different people and build friendships with them. The never stack the teams and always try to make them even. After a while you start to know everyone on all the teams which makes for alot of fun when you can give and take crap from them.

What does stink though is when you do get a team that works well and gets along good together and have to change. But then it's only beer league so no one is out to win the big trophy.

[Jarick 5]

hey Jarick what cities do you play open hockey at?

Eagan, played Minnetonka once but wasn't a fan.