How do you guys feel about players who start late?

[Nutella 0]

I have a frew friends that started playing hockey when they started college.

Talking 18 to 19 here.

Two of these guys started then because their parents refused to let them play as kids becaue it's too 'dangerous' (more injuries in basketball, anually).

Anyway, so these two guys in particular worked their tails off learning.

Open hockey pretty much daily, checked out books, open skate sessions to learn, etc. Yet, at intramurals and at open hockey people still try to kick 'em around and treat them like @#$^ because they started late.

Do you guys agree with the sentiment of, "If you start late, you'll never be any good"?

From what I've seen with the progress these guys made in, oh I don't know, 6 months I would say I don't agree.

Anyway, your input please. :D

[hocckey77 0]

No, I don't really care when they started playing.

But, what do you meanby them being treated poorly? What happens to them?

[Nutella 0]

No, I don't really care when they started playing.

But, what do you meanby them being treated poorly? What happens to them?

Other players saw them in the learning process. They discredit them and keep of lines because they feel they are bad at the sport.

I don't know, they just seem to get this brunt of dislike and it seems to me that other players hit them harder and faster just to 'teach' them or something.

Learning hockey without a coach must be the school of hard knocks. It seems to me that learning with books and MY help (I'm no coach) is probably a great feat and something that is difficult to do. I think they should get compliments, not be treated like @$%^. However, since I'm always different in opinion, I ask here.

Just overall negative treatment.

[nni 0]

i started my junior year of high school, so i have no issue.

[Jake 0]

Sounds like they did it the right way.

It's never too late to learn how to play, and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from trying to play hockey. However, the one thing I hate is seeing someone that's never even laced up a pair of skates before in their lives jumping right into pickup hockey and just taking up a lot of space.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

Isn't there a book out on a guy who made the AHL after starting at age 19?

[Nutella 0]

Isn't there a book out on a guy who made the AHL after starting at age 19?

It's probably safe to say that this is a rare instance. However, I don't think that just because our new guys will not make it that far (and neither will the goons that put them down) that they deserve to be called benders and all that other crap.

[fatwabbit 93]

i started when I was 19, and it wasnt just for the chicks.

Been playing for 13 years, and been the top scorer for most of the teams I've played with. Its not about the skills, but the effort and time you are willing to invest in something you really enjoy. Its also about teamwork, and working with your team mates for a common goal. My team's common goal in the last few years have been just to have fun on weekends, get away from the kids and just enjoy playing with some of your best mates.

[usahockey22 0]

Well, realistically, these guys aren't going to be hockey players for a career...I'm sure they know this. Anyone they are playing with at open hockey or men's league is also not going to be playing hockey for a career, so it sounds like the group you guys play with has some issues.

The hotshot who plays at your average open hockey session really has nothing to be proud of...especially if he is taking double shifts, and trying to put on a one man show/not passing the entire game. You all pay the same money for open hockey, it's just for fun, and they need to lighten up. There are always a couple of assholes who played club hockey in college or something, figure they are still in training for the NHL, and will be more than happy to shut down the tough competition at open hockey. Just forget about them and play for fun.

[Chadd 916]

If you're playing for any reason other than love of the game, you're playing for the wrong reason. Who cares what others think of you? Be confident in yourself and enjoy the game.

[crazylegs_9 0]

I started at 18, and ive really been welcomed in. Only 2 years later, and im about to th poin where I can sakte with the varsity players. Although, this is playing in my home rink. If i go somewhere like traverse city, get treated like shit and kicked around. I think its a regional thing, and just depends on how cocky the group is.

[tomh7 2]

I put on my first pair of skates my sophmore year in high school. At 31 years old, I took my first skating lesson this summer. It's never too late to start and it's never too late to get better.

[stickfixchaska 0]

Other players saw them in the learning process. They discredit them and keep of lines because they feel they are bad at the sport.

I don't know, they just seem to get this brunt of dislike and it seems to me that other players hit them harder and faster just to 'teach' them or something.

Learning hockey without a coach must be the school of hard knocks. It seems to me that learning with books and MY help (I'm no coach) is probably a great feat and something that is difficult to do. I think they should get compliments, not be treated like @$%^. However, since I'm always different in opinion, I ask here.

Just overall negative treatment.

Obviously, I haven't seen the situations, that you describe. However, hockey is a fast and aggressive game. ANYTIME you see a player with a weakness, you key on that weakness and take advantage of it. If he's getting crap from players on his own team, then its not cool... but there are jerks everywhere and they do play hockey too. Try to use it to feed the fire and get better.

Skating the most noticeable skill in hockey, once that is figured out, the other skills will fall into place. If you can move faster than the other guy, you can win races to the puck and get time to make plays. Guys that practice shooting but can't skate may score some goals, but the players that can skate and can take a decent shot will score more often.

Is it just happening at open hockey? Perhaps he should try a beginner level type of league. In the Twin Cities, there are several leagues that have these beginner tiers.

[Jarick 5]

I just started playing again last year after not playing for 12 years (I'm 24). But I was HORRIBLE as a kid, hated hockey and playing and was always last picked for any sport.

I'm really competitive and compare closer to guys who've been playing 3-5 years than guys playing for 9 months. For some of us, playing in the AHL isn't the measure of success...

[regularjoe 1]

As someone who's in his 30's and just taking up the sport, I think the key point was made above: temper the expectations and play for fun. Beats running on a treadmill or riding a bike.

[Nutella 0]

Other players saw them in the learning process. They discredit them and keep of lines because they feel they are bad at the sport.

I don't know, they just seem to get this brunt of dislike and it seems to me that other players hit them harder and faster just to 'teach' them or something.

Learning hockey without a coach must be the school of hard knocks. It seems to me that learning with books and MY help (I'm no coach) is probably a great feat and something that is difficult to do. I think they should get compliments, not be treated like @$%^. However, since I'm always different in opinion, I ask here.

Just overall negative treatment.

Obviously, I haven't seen the situations, that you describe. However, hockey is a fast and aggressive game. ANYTIME you see a player with a weakness, you key on that weakness and take advantage of it. If he's getting crap from players on his own team, then its not cool... but there are jerks everywhere and they do play hockey too. Try to use it to feed the fire and get better.

Skating the most noticeable skill in hockey, once that is figured out, the other skills will fall into place. If you can move faster than the other guy, you can win races to the puck and get time to make plays. Guys that practice shooting but can't skate may score some goals, but the players that can skate and can take a decent shot will score more often.

Is it just happening at open hockey? Perhaps he should try a beginner level type of league. In the Twin Cities, there are several leagues that have these beginner tiers.

No, even at intramural hockey. They are in the 'B' division and even there they got shit. There was a game in which I dropped the gloves (but nothing happened) because some guy was roughing one of my pals. This guy was also fully aware that my buddy was new.

Yeah, there have been a few awesome people that help them out. On the majority

though, even from their team, they get crap.

Which reminds me, club hockey was mentioned:

This loser from club hockey shows up to open hockey with the Bauer one90s, a one90 stick, this fancy equipment, everything. He had this terrible attitude.

HE SUCKED! I have no idea how he got into club hockey (that or I was lied to).

I go to St. Cloud State University (D1), guys from the club team should not be sucky.

Which reminds me, I have try-outs in a month! o_o!

ACK!

[rinkrat94 1]

Anyone who gets pissed off over open hockey really needs to find something more important to worry about. Your buddies should not let those assholes get to them. I go to open hockey 2 or 3 times a week and it is always a mix of every skill level from beginner to ex pros. The high level players are always willing to help out the beginners and give them pointers and help them out. That has been the case just about everywhere I have been, sounds like you guys just got mixed up with some real assholes.

[Hede 2]

I get pissed off by this. If they get crap from there teammates it sucks, big time. Why dont they help them to get better insted of saying crap to them...

On my team we have a couple of guys that are more ore less on the beginner level and i know its a pain sometimes to play with guys like that but they are my teammates and cool guys of the ice so i live with it as do the rest of the team. We try to teach them. I dont mind using 15 min. of my ice time to teach them.

We play fore fun not just to win. Even if we are the league winners fore the last 3 years.

One of the best things of last season was wenn one of those guys scored against some old pro guys we played against. To see his face wenn the puck went in damn he was happy.

And as you are saying the guys you know are not that bad and are working their tails off learning. Get off their back and try helping them get better.

[usahockey22 0]

Yea, it just sounds like you happen to be playing with some real dicks...most people at open hockey will accommodate new players pretty well. I remember last year at our open hockey, this guy from Africa showed up who had never played hockey in his life...all he had was skates, gloves, and shinguards. He ended up just standing on the ice in one place, turning around to see the puck, not doing anything. Still, no one was a jerk to him, we gave him passes, told him how to work on his playing, etc...because most people really don't care at open hockey. Maybe find a new group of people to play with..

[Jbone 0]

People who started later and are better then people who started earlier would get more respect then the person who started earlier.

[sabre09923 0]

Tell your buddies to use the naysayers' criticism as motivation. Try and help them improve as much as possible, and get a group of more experienced players on their team to help them learn. Even if they're doing it already, while they are training, throw them a few pointers. Give them as much help as possible and most other people will do the same.

I actually find it fun to teach newer players. As long as they have a good attitude and are willing to learn, I don't mind. It sounds like your friends really, really want to play, and that's all that really matters. In a couple years, they'll be better than the slouches that give them crap. Just wait and see.

[ktang 34]

I think players who pick on or yell at beginners were the ones who were picked on or yelled at when they were younger. Similar to parents yelling at their kids from the stands.

[stickfixchaska 0]

No, even at intramural hockey. They are in the 'B' division and even there they got shit. There was a game in which I dropped the gloves (but nothing happened) because some guy was roughing one of my pals. This guy was also fully aware that my buddy was new.

Yeah, there have been a few awesome people that help them out. On the majority

though, even from their team, they get crap.

Which reminds me, club hockey was mentioned:

This loser from club hockey shows up to open hockey with the Bauer one90s, a one90 stick, this fancy equipment, everything. He had this terrible attitude.

HE SUCKED! I have no idea how he got into club hockey (that or I was lied to).

I go to St. Cloud State University (D1), guys from the club team should not be sucky.

Which reminds me, I have try-outs in a month! o_o!

ACK!

I used to play intramural up there too. Go HUSKIES!

Sounds to me like you've just got a few college guys that are still working off that High School, Clicky, "pick on the new guy" mentality. Usually, the trend is to not upset the peace at open or intramural hockey. I'd say spend more time with the guys that are willing to help. The MAC may have some ice times that you guys could use too. Don't just rely on the NHC, they get super busy once the Huskies start practice.

[Nutella 0]

:lol:

No, even at intramural hockey. They are in the 'B' division and even there they got shit. There was a game in which I dropped the gloves (but nothing happened) because some guy was roughing one of my pals. This guy was also fully aware that my buddy was new.

Yeah, there have been a few awesome people that help them out. On the majority

though, even from their team, they get crap.

Which reminds me, club hockey was mentioned:

This loser from club hockey shows up to open hockey with the Bauer one90s, a one90 stick, this fancy equipment, everything. He had this terrible attitude.

HE SUCKED! I have no idea how he got into club hockey (that or I was lied to).

I go to St. Cloud State University (D1), guys from the club team should not be sucky.

Which reminds me, I have try-outs in a month! o_o!

ACK!

I used to play intramural up there too. Go HUSKIES!

Sounds to me like you've just got a few college guys that are still working off that High School, Clicky, "pick on the new guy" mentality. Usually, the trend is to not upset the peace at open or intramural hockey. I'd say spend more time with the guys that are willing to help. The MAC may have some ice times that you guys could use too. Don't just rely on the NHC, they get super busy once the Huskies start practice.

Dude, yeah, it's insane. Not to mention all of the camps and stuff we have going on. I have played a few intramural games at around 2 A.M. because that's the only slot they can give us. The National Hockey Center is pretty accomodating to everyone though. They even waste that slot for 'open skate'.

Err.. I don' leave campus much. What's the MAC? Is it one of the outdoor rinks? I was looking into those for this coming year.

Nice to see someone who knows the place on here!

[thorpedo26 0]

i dont mind new guys at all as long as there not cocky. like some kids who cant skate imean barely movin say to me yea today i think im gunna drop the gloves . ill respond alright hatcher. or guys who have there goals set to high. one of my friends who started at 16 said to me " i think ill end up coachin michigan in about 10 years" he was serious and im not gunna be the dream crusher