pick up ice hockey in Los Angeles

[Krev 86]

It is a club sport. No Hockey D1 or D3 schools out here. Closest is...Colorado? I think. Bleh, can't remember.

[spjon25 1]

http://www.uclahockey.org/merchandise.php

Pretty expensive for my taste.

Thanks for the link, that is what they used to sell them for in the Bear Wear store at the Union

[dix0r 0]

from watching a few UCLA / USC / CSULB games:

it seems like most of the division II club teams have 2 or 3 good players, like USHL or Junior A, and most of the rest are average (midget A or AA), with the exception of a few complete beginners who don't see much ice unless the team is up by a lot. there's usually not much depth, although some of the better teams don't have any benders.

i think one of the guys that was in 'miracle' played for UCLA, heh...

[Tikkanen 1]

Artesia has pickup on Sat nights, I haven't played there in awhile but I hear it still fills up, pretty good talent and nice rink. http://www.eastwesticepalace.com/

[Fletch 219]

Artesia has pickup on Sat nights, I haven't played there in awhile but I hear it still fills up, pretty good talent and nice rink. http://www.eastwesticepalace.com/

I agree...the Artesia rink kicks ass. And usually there are solid players there.

[ean 0]

there are plenty of pick ups in the Los Angeles area....

Culver City- sunday evening at 10:45-12 great little pickup run by Bernie, very nice older gentleman 15 dollars usually only about 10 guys and at least 1 goalie. very beginner friendly.

also at culver, lunch times scattered throughout the week (Mon, Tues, fri?) very hard to get into, relatively decent hockey but mostly older guys. must call in advance (sometimes weeks)

sunday morning at culver is a pickup at 9 am, also hard to get into, mostly older guys, who are regulars, so you can only get in if they cancel. almost always 2 goalies

check culver's website

Toyota sports center (el segundo)

pickups at various days of the week during lunch time. 15 bucks usually not as crowded as culver from my experiences but better ice and usually at least a goalie.

check their website toyotasportscenter.com

these are the main 2 I check out

other rinks would be bay harbor, norwalk, and glacial gardens.

[yipperzz 28]

Artesia has pickup on Sat nights, I haven't played there in awhile but I hear it still fills up, pretty good talent and nice rink. http://www.eastwesticepalace.com/

I agree...the Artesia rink kicks ass. And usually there are solid players there.

me too. i've played there once and the guys were pretty good. had to pay on the phone to hold my spot because the lady said they were almost sold out of spots when i called.

[sirunsky88 1]

Ice station in Valencia has pick-up on Saturday nights. They might of changed times, but it used to be at 10pm. You have to call to reserve a spot.

Pickwick Ice in Burbank has pick-up on Thursday nights from 11pm til'1-ish. It's fairly competitive and there usually about 15 guys that show up.

[sirunsky88 1]

Are dudes who play puck in SoCal natives or transplants?

The Division 1 league in Burbank has a ton of transplants. Most are from Canada, Minnesota, Michigan, and the East coast.

[ean 0]

Friday night pickup at Anaheim Ice, and Saturday night pickup at east west are 2 that I do not recommend.

First off, way too many guys. each bench had probably 7-8 guys and this is with 5 on the ice, this wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that neither of these rinks RUN LINES. so when a guy feels like getting off the ice, 1 guy gets to come on. The thing is, guys will take shifts anywhere from 3-10 minutes long, (yes 10 minutes), so you never have fresh legs out their with fresh legs. this system works when you've got less than 5 guys on your bench, but when your whole bench is packed, run some damn lines for christ sake.

Also, it's pretty much an offensive showcase, after a goal is scored everyone posts up at the opponents blueline expecting a pass and breakaway so they can do some deke that involves the puck going between their skates and then roofing top shelf.

In general, both these pickups are pretty much half some kids who should be at home in bed, and half a bunch of euro roller hockey players playing ice. These are 2 I will never go back to.

[Tikkanen 1]

I usually stick to the Monday afternoon at Anaheim Ice. There are jerks and ice hogs everywhere, haven't had a problem at this 1 yet.

[Fletch 219]

Friday night pickup at Anaheim Ice, and Saturday night pickup at east west are 2 that I do not recommend.

First off, way too many guys. each bench had probably 7-8 guys and this is with 5 on the ice, this wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that neither of these rinks RUN LINES. so when a guy feels like getting off the ice, 1 guy gets to come on. The thing is, guys will take shifts anywhere from 3-10 minutes long, (yes 10 minutes), so you never have fresh legs out their with fresh legs. this system works when you've got less than 5 guys on your bench, but when your whole bench is packed, run some damn lines for christ sake.

Also, it's pretty much an offensive showcase, after a goal is scored everyone posts up at the opponents blueline expecting a pass and breakaway so they can do some deke that involves the puck going between their skates and then roofing top shelf.

In general, both these pickups are pretty much half some kids who should be at home in bed, and half a bunch of euro roller hockey players playing ice. These are 2 I will never go back to.

I haven't played at Anaheim enough to see that but I have experienced that at East West for sure. It's frustrating when a ton of guys show up and the lines aren't run.