The brotherhood of beer league hockey

[Doctor Hook 0]

I've played a few other adult rec league sports, but I must say the friends I've made from hockey and the people I've met who skate at ridiculous hours in a game that we just can't outgrow are, for the most part, good people. Sure, there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but the typical beer league pucker is a standup dude who likes to have some fun, get some exercise, shoot the breeze over some brews in the parking lot, and do it week after week.

From my experience, I just can't say the same for softballers, who I find are usually arrogant pricks. Same with flag footballers. And I know I'm painting a wide brush here, but that's my opinion. I only play one sport year round and it's my therapy on ice, a chance to get away from the real world, see my friends, and take out my aggressions and catch up on the good times.

[mack 44]

I'd have to agree with you on the beer leaguers and especially the softball players. Down south I'd play on our company's softball team (employees only) so we'd get our asses handed to us routinely by ringers playing for some other company. It's rather sad seeing some guy who topped out in JuCo feeling good about slo-pitch. Compared to that, the douchebaggery's almost non-existant in the beer leaguer's I've played with and against.

[TBLfan 25]

I agree completely. It's a respect, especially for guys and girls that play hard and clean. I've coached and helped a few people learn a few different sports or activities and by far beginning hockey players are the most respectful and they try their hardest to listen to your advice. I've never felt soo respected by some people that are nearly twice my age.

[DarkStar50 679]

The brotherhood of hockey is very unique. When parents in the shop start to complain about prices or some other bullshit with their kid playing hockey, I tell them two things. One is that hockey is a game for life. You can't play softball when you are 50 but you can play hockey. The other thing about hockey is that it is a small circle. Everyone who plays hockey in an area knows everyone else. We are a small tight-knit group as we get older of players. The game really is our mental and physical therapy to get away from the daily bs of day-to-day routines. When you are on the ice and playing hockey, there is only one thing you can think of: playing hockey! That is the beauty of the sport. It requires your total concentration to excel at. That mental and physical effort is the reward of the game I cherish the most. I have known players who actually have had heart attacks and died playing hockey. God bless them because I know they have no regrets going out that way. Neither would I.

[msander 0]

The brotherhood of hockey is very unique. When parents in the shop start to complain about prices or some other bullshit with their kid playing hockey, I tell them two things. One is that hockey is a game for life. You can't play softball when you are 50 but you can play hockey. The other thing about hockey is that it is a small circle. Everyone who plays hockey in an area knows everyone else. We are a small tight-knit group as we get older of players. The game really is our mental and physical therapy to get away from the daily bs of day-to-day routines. When you are on the ice and playing hockey, there is only one thing you can think of: playing hockey! That is the beauty of the sport. It requires your total concentration to excel at. That mental and physical effort is the reward of the game I cherish the most. I have known players who actually have had heart attacks and died playing hockey. God bless them because I know they have no regrets going out that way. Neither would I.

Just curious about something. What 50 year old person that's capable of playing hockey is incapable of playing softball? The sport that normally gets touted as capable of being played right until you die while doing it is golf.

[shute 4]

i played with 70 year old guys in hockey but i've never seen a 70 year old playing softball. it's a lot harder on the joints running then skating and same thing goes with hitting and stickhandling.

[mew1838 0]

Agreed, 70 year olds can't run. (MOST of them anyway)

[DarkStar50 679]

The biggest joke in our locker room is when we hear one of the guys got hurt. "How did Bill get hurt?" "Playing softball. He pulled a muscle(usually the groin or hamstring)running out a single." Or, "He pulled a muscle trying to catch a fly ball in the outfield." Stand around for 20 minutes and then try to make a few quick sprints at 50+ is a prescription for disaster. More power to the softball jocks, I'll take hockey any day. More ice time for the rest of us.

[ViperJQ 0]

I saw this and it kinda fits into what you're saying.

HOCKEY PLAYERS: The cockiest, dirtiest, group of athletes in the world. We'll do anything and come back to tell our teammates about it. Live the dream until they are 35 then realize they never made it. Ladies love us, guys want to be us. You lace up the skates, put on the gloves, strap on the helmet, and step on to the rink and nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that you failed a test, your girl is bein a twat, or that you got a ticket on the way there...you're world is absolutely perfect for the next couple hours. Here's to faceoffs, goals, assists, overtime, early mornings, breakaways, goin' top shelf, bustin out the jiggle jaggles, countless hours of practice, bag skates, dangling, broken twigs, new skates, packin' bombs, adding the letter "y" to the end of everyone's last name, let downs, miracles and most of all - the game. Why do we skate back and forth night after night? Skating so hard we throw up and your heart beat rings in your head, while your lungs are grasping for air. Late nights, early mornings, Friday nights, Saturday evenings, broken bones, torn muscles and deep bruises. We skate through it all. Because we live off our adrenaline, because the game frees your spirit, because your invincible once you step on the rink, because a shot can make you smile all night, sniping the corner, the rattling of the boards, the feel of the puck, because its possible to skate fast enough to leave all your worries behind. Sweat is the cologne of our accomplishment. Why? Why would someone push themself so hard? It's not for the money, it's not for the girls, and it's not for the fame. We do it because we love it-I'M A HOCKEY PLAYER.

[Spreedizzle 1]

I saw this and it kinda fits into what you're saying.

HOCKEY PLAYERS: The cockiest, dirtiest, group of athletes in the world. We'll do anything and come back to tell our teammates about it. Live the dream until they are 35 then realize they never made it. Ladies love us, guys want to be us. You lace up the skates, put on the gloves, strap on the helmet, and step on to the rink and nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that you failed a test, your girl is bein a twat, or that you got a ticket on the way there...you're world is absolutely perfect for the next couple hours. Here's to faceoffs, goals, assists, overtime, early mornings, breakaways, goin' top shelf, bustin out the jiggle jaggles, countless hours of practice, bag skates, dangling, broken twigs, new skates, packin' bombs, adding the letter "y" to the end of everyone's last name, let downs, miracles and most of all - the game. Why do we skate back and forth night after night? Skating so hard we throw up and your heart beat rings in your head, while your lungs are grasping for air. Late nights, early mornings, Friday nights, Saturday evenings, broken bones, torn muscles and deep bruises. We skate through it all. Because we live off our adrenaline, because the game frees your spirit, because your invincible once you step on the rink, because a shot can make you smile all night, sniping the corner, the rattling of the boards, the feel of the puck, because its possible to skate fast enough to leave all your worries behind. Sweat is the cologne of our accomplishment. Why? Why would someone push themself so hard? It's not for the money, it's not for the girls, and it's not for the fame. We do it because we love it-I'M A HOCKEY PLAYER.

Yep.....that pretty much sums it up. Great quote. Where is that from anyway??

[chk hrd 164]

I think it is because to the true hockey player it is a way of life and not a game. It is the one sport (besides MAYBE soccer) that the older guys, no mater what age, don't mind and even enjoy helping the younger guy. The majority of hockey players, at any age and any level, are down to earth, humble, respectful people. Theses good traits and many more were usually reinforced in a hockey enviroment.

[trajik78 0]

im going into my 1st (beer) Men's league this fall for the 104th Precinct. There's 3 other guys from work that are joining me to. i can't wait to finally get a full game going. i basically have only been "hockey" skating this year even though i've always gone to ice rinks every year recreationally just to skate around. I've been practicing 2x a week so hopefully i won't make a complete fool of myself. as long as i don't keel over in the middle of the rink then i'll be happy, and will be fulfilling something i've wanted to do for years.

[TBLfan 25]

good, you will enjoy it. My players have made a lot of progress over just a couple season, it's amazing seeing how well they are starting to play considering some of them could barely step onto the ice without falling.

[Spreedizzle 1]

im going into my 1st (beer) Men's league this fall for the 104th Precinct. There's 3 other guys from work that are joining me to. i can't wait to finally get a full game going. i basically have only been "hockey" skating this year even though i've always gone to ice rinks every year recreationally just to skate around. I've been practicing 2x a week so hopefully i won't make a complete fool of myself. as long as i don't keel over in the middle of the rink then i'll be happy, and will be fulfilling something i've wanted to do for years.

You will be just fine. Especially in the introductory beer leagues, most of the guys are out there just to have some fun, get some exercise, and then of course enjoy a tasty brew back in the parking lot. You'll have a great time....and don't worry about anything. WELCOME to be Beer League!!! :)

[Chadd 916]

Given the number of cheap shots, attempts to injure and sandbagging that goes on in adult hockey leagues, I really don't get any sense of brotherhood. In fact, I'd say there at least as many miserable assholes playing hockey as any other sport, perhaps more than average. For what it's worth, any guy who acts like a jackass on the ice but is completely different off the ice is just faking it off the ice. The way a person acts on the ice is a reflection of their true personality, the way they act under pressure or with adrenaline coursing through their veins shows their true character.

Like anything else, we try to convince ourselves that hockey players are special, in part, because we are hockey players. That said, I have met some great people playing hockey and some of my best friends are people that I got to know while playing hockey.

[DarkStar50 679]

Sorry, chadd, I disagree. There are a few idiots everywhere in all walks of life. To say there are more than the average playing hockey says something about the leagues you are watching.

[Chadd 916]

Sorry, chadd, I disagree. There are a few idiots everywhere in all walks of life. To say there are more than the average playing hockey says something about the leagues you are watching.

Maybe it's just central PA and the overabundance of Flyer fans but every league within 60 miles of here is like that.

[Doctor Hook 0]

Given the number of cheap shots, attempts to injure and sandbagging that goes on in adult hockey leagues, I really don't get any sense of brotherhood. In fact, I'd say there at least as many miserable assholes playing hockey as any other sport, perhaps more than average. For what it's worth, any guy who acts like a jackass on the ice but is completely different off the ice is just faking it off the ice. The way a person acts on the ice is a reflection of their true personality, the way they act under pressure or with adrenaline coursing through their veins shows their true character.

Like anything else, we try to convince ourselves that hockey players are special, in part, because we are hockey players. That said, I have met some great people playing hockey and some of my best friends are people that I got to know while playing hockey.

Oh definitely there are some major wanks who have minimal skills, probably got cut from JV, and think they can contribute meaningfully at an 11pm Tuesday league game by thinking they're Sean Avery. Taking numbers and calling people out definitely add an aspect to the game that you can't do much about in other rec league sports.

[hapamatt122 0]

The biggest joke in our locker room is when we hear one of the guys got hurt. "How did Bill get hurt?" "Playing softball. He pulled a muscle(usually the groin or hamstring)running out a single." Or, "He pulled a muscle trying to catch a fly ball in the outfield." Stand around for 20 minutes and then try to make a few quick sprints at 50+ is a prescription for disaster. More power to the softball jocks, I'll take hockey any day. More ice time for the rest of us.

lol.. my buddy just got hurt playing softball, he was CF and running at a ball and collided with the RF. I guess it's not funny because I guess you could say it would be the equivalent to a knee-on-knee hit in hockey, just minus the pads.. but first thing I did when he said he got hurt playing softball was laugh.

[mack 44]

You can slow down hockey; you can't slow down base/softball.

[ponty 0]

I guess its different from area-to-area as far as the type of hockey players. I am in agreement with Chadd regarding the a-hole factor of guys in the adult leagues. Cheap shots, benching less skilled players and the overall get-a-life attitude is why I quit the adult leagues. Nothing like getting double-shifted while others on your team gives you dirty looks as they paid the same price as you. "Not my fault bra ... talk to the errr ... 'captain'".

These days pickup is better as the attitudes tends to be much better and I love the diversity of skill level. It goes from NHL drafties to the new guy just lacing the skate. I just love that!

If you are having great experiences with the adult league I say great! I am the kinda of guy if I accidently check or trip you I will go up and say sorry. Hell I accidently hit the goalie in the face during warm-ups at pickup (damn Drury curve :)) and made it a point to say sorry. Why? Its just informal hockey - pickup on mens leagues.

I know that I would enjoy playing with most guys / gals on this board but it doesnt always translate to everyone.

Rant over.

[chippa13 1844]

Adult leagues are usually as good or bad as the guys running them. When they nip the a-hole teams and players in the bud, the league turns out better.

I am fortunate to play in a couple good leagues, ones where there is minimal bs. The only time our team has any problems in one of the leagues is the odd time we get a game scheduled with a team in a lower division. One other rule of thumb I have found in men's leagues, the higher the talent level, the lower the bs level.

[Karly14 21]

Given the number of cheap shots, attempts to injure and sandbagging that goes on in adult hockey leagues, I really don't get any sense of brotherhood. In fact, I'd say there at least as many miserable assholes playing hockey as any other sport, perhaps more than average. For what it's worth, any guy who acts like a jackass on the ice but is completely different off the ice is just faking it off the ice. The way a person acts on the ice is a reflection of their true personality, the way they act under pressure or with adrenaline coursing through their veins shows their true character.

Like anything else, we try to convince ourselves that hockey players are special, in part, because we are hockey players. That said, I have met some great people playing hockey and some of my best friends are people that I got to know while playing hockey.

That pretty much reflects my sentiments perfectly. There are way to many guys who refuse to acknowledge that its rec hockey and that the scouts have gone home.

[yipperzz 28]

I saw this and it kinda fits into what you're saying.

HOCKEY PLAYERS: The cockiest, dirtiest, group of athletes in the world. We'll do anything and come back to tell our teammates about it. Live the dream until they are 35 then realize they never made it. Ladies love us, guys want to be us. You lace up the skates, put on the gloves, strap on the helmet, and step on to the rink and nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that you failed a test, your girl is bein a twat, or that you got a ticket on the way there...you're world is absolutely perfect for the next couple hours. Here's to faceoffs, goals, assists, overtime, early mornings, breakaways, goin' top shelf, bustin out the jiggle jaggles, countless hours of practice, bag skates, dangling, broken twigs, new skates, packin' bombs, adding the letter "y" to the end of everyone's last name, let downs, miracles and most of all - the game. Why do we skate back and forth night after night? Skating so hard we throw up and your heart beat rings in your head, while your lungs are grasping for air. Late nights, early mornings, Friday nights, Saturday evenings, broken bones, torn muscles and deep bruises. We skate through it all. Because we live off our adrenaline, because the game frees your spirit, because your invincible once you step on the rink, because a shot can make you smile all night, sniping the corner, the rattling of the boards, the feel of the puck, because its possible to skate fast enough to leave all your worries behind. Sweat is the cologne of our accomplishment. Why? Why would someone push themself so hard? It's not for the money, it's not for the girls, and it's not for the fame. We do it because we love it-I'M A HOCKEY PLAYER.

:lol: i thought that was just a few people on my team. i'm glad to see that it's not just them.

[topshelf11 0]

I think it depends on the area. When I was in Denver, I only found a couple of teams where guys hung out away from the rink. Most were show up, play, go home.

Here, we are all from somewhere else, so my team is like my extended family. We have a tight knight group of guys who all hang out after the game, and do stuff together and with our families away from the rink. It's a cool situation.