Didn't enjoy my first season of organized hockey

[Hockeydog 8]

There are a few slugs at my rink that take long shifts, and yeah, they don't skate hard at all. I also like the teammates who can't figure out who exactly they go on for and are always taking other players shifts.

[FCHC53 0]

Like others have said, find yourself some guys that you like playing with and form a team or maybe meet someone and join an existing team. Also, in my experience leagues that are independant of individual ice rinks are better. Being as they exist solely to serve the adult hockey player they're better run because they have only one focus. Most rink's don't take adult hockey seriously, or view it as a cash cow they don't have to service much.

For new players independant leagues usually have some draft system where teams needing players at all levels pick from among the new guys and are more welcoming than a rink league where the beginners just get stuck together and told to deal with it.

The chippy play in low levels has always been a problem in any league I've been involved with. You get a lot of people that take it way too seriously for a variety of reasons. The guys that just have to be come a$$holes when any competion is involved, the guys that have no other social life because they're so tied to hockey, or the guys that never got to play competive sports in Jr. or Sr. high school and are trying to make up for it in adult league hockey. You're always going to have it, so it's just a matter of finding a league that polices itself well. Of course if you think there are a lot of guys that take adult league hockey too seriously you ought to try semi-pro football some time.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

The New England Shit Hockey League. I was in that for 1 terribly run season back when they first bought out the league my team had been in. One and done, that league was awful.

I'd have to agree... that league is a joke. I've subbed for my brother's teams and I don't see myself playing in that league ever again. I'd rather deal with a commute and hook up with something from the Hockey Academy if I play organized again.

They're beginner clinic was a joke too... 75 guys, 2 instructors.

[starsfan71 9]

Strangely even though I am only 15 I subbed for my dad's beer league team, and it was really fun. I would suggest trying to find a no contact league like my dad's. He has a lot of fun and has only just started playing so that we could do something together. All in all I think that no contact lower tier leagues are the way to go.

[WingsVK97 0]

- This is probably just an issue with the team, but too many primmadonnas. I got stuck playing defense all year long because no one else would play back there. I'd ask for someone else to play D, but everyone player on the team would come up with an excuse, or flat out refuse. Well what me and my enjoyment of the league, shouldn't I get to play where I want, even if its only for the odd game here and there?

What's wrong with playing defense? ;) Let the pretty boys come down and try to dazzle! I never was much good at making a pretty pass or a fancy deke, so I've tried to learn how to mess those things up. Don't worry about making the nice play. Wreak 'em instead!!

On a different note, a big thing with the team I play on has been our Captain. He sets the tone for the kind of team we are. Our bunch is great. We're the only team that has cookouts at the end of the season! I used him as a reference for a job interview.

Try to find a different team, but pay attention to the leadership.

[santiclaws 0]

Wow, I guess this thread made me remember how lucky I am. I play on a beer league team which started out as a bunch of guys thrown together at random, but we became real tight because our captain made everyone come together by sheer force of personality. He, along with much of that original team is long gone, now five years down the road, but as new players come in, they all fall into line - and we try not to draft assholes.

No one ever takes more than a 2-minute shift, and those are pretty rare - guys police themselves and get off after a minute or a minute and a half.

We are all real competitive guys, but we don't forget that we're there to have a good time. We do stuff together outside the rink all the time. Guys who are out because they're injured or just not playing for some other reason usually show up to games anyway, just so they can run the bench and go out for beers after. The team spirit makes playing a hell of a lot of fun.

[Doctor Hook 0]

I've experienced pretty much the same thing in a few leagues here in MA. The things you described are one of the reason why I don't do adult leagues anymore. The other being the cost. I'd rather play pick up with a good group of guys and enjoy my ice time. Too many meat heads take those leagues way too seriously.

I had a guy level me with an open ice hit (great hit if it were a check league) because he wasn't able to get away from me in the corners. When I said something to him "nice check" he said...and this still makes me laugh "this is a mans game". Yeah no **** sherlock, and it's also a no check league you moron.

Was that in the NESHL?

The New England Shit Hockey League. I was in that for 1 terribly run season back when they first bought out the league my team had been in. One and done, that league was awful.

Damn, what's with the hate? I've been in the NESHL in Walpole for a few years and now in the N. of Boston D league. Granted some refs are utter shite but for the most part I'm happy in it.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

Damn, what's with the hate? I've been in the NESHL in Walpole for a few years and now in the N. of Boston D league. Granted some refs are utter shite but for the most part I'm happy in it.

I guess it depends on the area.... ask Keith about the South of Boston NESHL league. The officials are a joke, the play is even worse. My brother has played organized hockey for about 20 years now, and he hates that league with a fiery passion.

[Doctor Hook 0]

Damn, what's with the hate? I've been in the NESHL in Walpole for a few years and now in the N. of Boston D league. Granted some refs are utter shite but for the most part I'm happy in it.

I guess it depends on the area.... ask Keith about the South of Boston NESHL league. The officials are a joke, the play is even worse. My brother has played organized hockey for about 20 years now, and he hates that league with a fiery passion.

You're probably right. Walpole was a touch more blue collar and chippy, whereas the Boston league is more of a mix of yuppies and OGs, where dudes are more apt to yap than take matters into their own hands.

[ean 0]

You're describing pretty classic beer league hockey...Most places you go it will be the same way, unfortunately...Just improve yourself as a player and you will have a better options to go play on a team with better guys who will welcome your good skills.

[Chadd 916]

Damn, what's with the hate? I've been in the NESHL in Walpole for a few years and now in the N. of Boston D league. Granted some refs are utter shite but for the most part I'm happy in it.

I guess it depends on the area.... ask Keith about the South of Boston NESHL league. The officials are a joke, the play is even worse. My brother has played organized hockey for about 20 years now, and he hates that league with a fiery passion.

You're probably right. Walpole was a touch more blue collar and chippy, whereas the Boston league is more of a mix of yuppies and OGs, where dudes are more apt to yap than take matters into their own hands.

I'd rather have a guy yapping than try to decapitate me.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

I'd rather have a guy yapping than try to decapitate me.

I would whole heartedly agree. In the South of Boston C-D divisions.... my brother has had 3 knee on knee hits, 2 cross-checks to the shoulder blades, pitchforked skates out from under him about 20 times that I've seen, a spear to the collarbone, whacked really, really hard off the cage more times than I can count, someone try to pull his helmet and cage off so he would fight. All for being a pretty fast, and decent player. I suck, so tend to go typically unnoticed, although I have been slew-footed about 4 times, and cross checked in the back of the neck for setting up in front. So I don't even bother subbing if they need... Maybe it's primarily because the South Shore of Massachusetts is mostly trash? haha...

Majority of the infractions in the league go uncalled because the perps are in fact refs in the very same league. A little conflict of interest if you ask me.