Getting back on the ice after an 18-year hiatus...

[Jeff 0]

Hey all,

I just wanted to throw a shout out to everyone and say thanks for all the valuable information I have picked up here! I have lurked around the past couple months and made great use of the search function. While there is no substitute for trying on gear firsthand, I have found the reviews and replies to threads invaluable in helping me narrow down the choices and help find the right gear for me.

My last experience playing hockey was at the peewee level in 1989! I plan on playing in a beer league once I get back in shape and build up a little more confidence (I whiffed super hard a couple times after being setup for the perfect one-timers at my last scrimmage.) ;)

A few things I have noticed after my prolonged absence:

1) I might not be able to skate as fast as some of the other guys, but I can still use situational awareness to somewhat level the playing field. Knowing where to be and how to react to situations has helped me a lot...

2) I miss my old Easton Aluminum sticks!

3) Maybe my memory fails me, but I do not remember people wearing their shinguards over the tongues of their skates. I think I am going to try this though, as my shinguards seem long enough to comfortably do so.

4) The jockstrap/velcro/shorts combo is an awesome invention!

Ok, i am off to have my wife rub some Icyhot on my arse after falling hard on it yesterday. Ah, good times! B)

[M-Cohen 0]

Hey, welcome back!

Even though the last time you played, I wasn't alive the game welcomes you back with open arms :D

[flyerman 0]

Welcome back to the greatest game on the planet!

Like you, I played as a kid (early '80s) and stopped after Bantams -- then picked it up again as an adult. Much has changed in terms of gear, style, bank-breaking OPS. But the one constant is the fun, exhilaration, and challenge of playing this game. For me, it's addictive. But equally true I find it to be -- when I'm in that flow on the ice --- well..."spiritual" is the word that comes to mind.

Enjoy being back on the ice and playing HOCKEY again! And maybe you can find an old Aluminum knocking about someone's basement! I bet someone here's got one!

[Sven 1]

Welcome back, brah!

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

That's awesome! I'm getting back in after taking the past 8 years off. I had to buy new pants, because somehow, I don't fit into a 32" waist hockey pant anymore! :o

[cmvondran 0]

Welcome back! I also took 12 years off and have been back for 3 years now.

[habsfan87 0]

Good to see ya back in the skates, i hope i never stop playin hockey. I too miss my aluminums from peewee as well those were the sickest. don't forget, theres probably gonna be alot less cluching and grabbing than there was back in 89 lol

[Doctor Hook 0]

I swore off hockey after my last HS game. At that point, the game I played for 12+ years was no longer fun for me. Hell, I didn't even watch the NHL anymore, and I used to always stay up for the B's.

Then a few years post-college I had heard about men's hockey leagues but then thought they'd be lame because of no checking. But I figured I'd check it out, so I bought all new equipment, hopped on a 40+ team, and been playing for the past 6 years or so. And I'm back to being an NHL fan.

The game never leaves your blood.

[Done like dinner 0]

Welcome back to the ice Jeff. I've been back 3 mos. after a similarly long "break" from the game. After 5 games/practices per week I'm finally in shape. The game has changed a bit, but not that much. Gear has changed and for the better I'd say. Even wooden sticks are better than when I quit, also around 1989. Anyway, be patient, try different drop-ins, leagues, and remember what I read on a bottle of Powerade today; "Sport is what you make it". I bloody well applied that to my game today and man, I was damn smooth out there today and had a blast. Might have to switch from Gatorade...

I'm doin' the shin pads over skates thing and find that a pad longer than what I might usually wear works well with a sock stuffed under the pad, over the skate tongue is working very nicely. I was looking for extra protection for a previously broken ankle but still good forward flex. Bon Chance.

[Jeff 0]

Thanks, dudes. You guys aren't kidding about expensive OPS. While I am blessed with more $$$ than skill, I figure I will wait until I can make contact with the puck before taking the plunge and buying a light stick. :D

Now I just have to keep breaking in my prostock 7000s. I feel stiffer than the Frankenstein monster out there! :lol:

[fatwabbit 93]

the prodical son returns!... always good to come back to something you love.

The game has changed a lot in the last few years... a lot more technology in the sport these days. I would buy some cheaper gear first, then decide what needs to be higher end stuff. Actually, scrap that idea, cause at the end of the day, you'll be convincing your significant other that spending more $$$ to get higher end stuff is better than buying her those new shoes (tried that before, didnt go down well)

[Methane 0]

the prodical son returns!... always good to come back to something you love.

The game has changed a lot in the last few years... a lot more technology in the sport these days. I would buy some cheaper gear first, then decide what needs to be higher end stuff. Actually, scrap that idea, cause at the end of the day, you'll be convincing your significant other that spending more $$$ to get higher end stuff is better than buying her those new shoes (tried that before, didnt go down well)

Heh, starting with the nicer stuff IS cheaper than buying the low end and then wanting to upgrade later on!

[Clark12 0]

Welcome back. I spent 8 or 9 years not playing before I got back into it. I've been back now for nearly 5 years and am left wondering why I stopped playing in the first place.

[BackinAction 0]

I'm in the same boat - but with a 20 year absence. Just got a new hip and am good to go. I am just going to skate for awhile until I get my legs back then on to Power Skating and then in to an old mans league. I haven't felt this juiced in a long time.

[NorrisContender 4]

It's been 10 years for me although I have been playing in-line. I'm about to move back to ice and I'm pretty nervous about it. I'm a strong skater and grew up playing the game so I'll be fine. I just need to get out and do it. Never should have stopped paying in college.

My OLD Mega 10-90's aren't exactly stiff any more so I spent last weekend trying on every skate I could find.

I'm also grateful I fond this place, what a great site!

[BackinAction 0]

It's been 10 years for me although I have been playing in-line. I'm about to move back to ice and I'm pretty nervous about it. I'm a strong skater and grew up playing the game so I'll be fine. I just need to get out and do it. Never should have stopped paying in college.

My OLD Mega 10-90's aren't exactly stiff any more so I spent last weekend trying on every skate I could find.

I'm also grateful I fond this place, what a great site!

Agreed. I spent 2 hours at my LHS trying on skates before I found the one that fit the best. This site was very helpful - best advice - don't buy without trying on first. I couldn't believe the difference between makes and models of similar sizes.