Rookie at shinny

[jds 20]

New to hockey. Need as much ice time as I can get to make up for 43 years of non-playing. There is lots of shinny where I live (Hamilton, Ontario) but I'm always concerned that if I turn up to play with guys who have some decent ability I will be like a pylon on the ice and just get in the way which would suck for me and the other guys. I'm well beyond the age where I care if I look foolish but I would hate to ruin it for others. Is there an unwritten code to help include the weak players or are they basically a pain in the ass. I'm looking for input from you experienced shinny players and how you would handle a rookie.

[gxc999 7]

Don't go to "A/B open hockey", obviously. Go for C/D shinny if possible. If not, general open hockey will suffice. Expect a mix of good, average and weaker players. BTW, start out with stick n puck first for a while. You won't look like such a newbie after a 4-5 weeks of SNP!

[nickerjones 8]

i always wondered the same things.... im 26 and married a canadian. She made me catch the hockey bug..... I can skate decent forwards but anything other than that and im horrible. In Calgary at christmas time i got invited to play with a bunch of older guys and after watching them for a couple of shifts i decided i would just slow them down.... So i sat it out and luckily my wifes cousin who was 12 let me play with his friends at his birthday party.... It was fun just getting out there and playing with those kids. Now back im relocating from branson missouri back to Okc, Ok and i have friends i can play with who have played before so hopefully ill get alot more ice.

SnP is the way to go starting off i have never had a problem being on the ice with a ton of people as long as i keep to myself during the session

[15yearsofhistory 0]

If the people who are there are nice, they should do all they can to help you improve your game. I know at Friday night drop-ins at our rink there are always some guys new to the game. We include them in the games and do our best to make them feel good about themselves and be generally accepted so they will continue on with the game. All you have to do is pass the puck to them and help 'em figure out when they've got a pass or shot. Maybe even give a few good pointers or the basics.

[lotus 2]

some of the nicer guys who show up to open hockey around here are also the less experienced ones. The reason why that is, I believe to be because they have more fun with it than anyone else. So just don't pressure yourself and have a good time. Anyone who is having fun with the sport deserves to be there.

Besides, open hockey is open hockey. If anyone takes it serious or thinks they're tough shit there...well it's actually not uncommon, but they're the pains in the ass, not new players.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

when i first started playing, the guys gave me more space and passed to me more at the end... they'd give me tips too. jsut dont act better than you are, and i think you'll be fine. now, i'm one of those regulars ;)

[gxc999 7]

Ditto. In about a year, thanks to determination and help from kind people, I went from a newb to an almost average player, wee.

But seriously, the best thing you can do is practice the basic elements of the game a bit before playing. Specifically, stick handling and catching passes would've helped me out a lot about a year ago! Don't worry that much about shooting yet, it will eventually develop with the rest of your game.

[nickerjones 8]

good advice guys .... i wish my skills would progress to allow me to skate backwards haha

[WSjo22 1]

I don't know about anyone else....but I enjoy playing with newbies and people trying to learn the game. I've played enough competitive hockey in my life, I get more kicks out of helping other people get better and enjoy the game

[Bmplam 1]

I would just ask around at the rink which pick-up session is best for your situation. Our rink has pick-up sessions for different skill levels, but they aren't really official, just accepted by those who play. Anyone can play at any session, but it is usually more fun to play with guys that are at a similar level as you. Lots of guys play up to challenge themselves and no one has problems with that, but if the pace is way too fast for you, you might not see the puck very often and thats just not fun or productive.

Ask around, most guys love helping others ger back into the game.

[Powerfibers 8]

There are some times around here where we run into very advanced players at the skate and shoots, especially at the college rink at Buff State. The BS team like to show up and then turn the whole thing into a full ice scrimmage asap. the only thing I can say is that you can only get better playing with better guys. Play good D and you will be accepted, as they don't play any D, and they will appreciate your effort! They are mostly jerks, I won't lie, but I paid so the heck with them. (Actually, they didn't even pay!) I even give them hell when they get back to the bench. "Skate hard or get off the ice. You cannot float out there while I sit out waiting to get in and actually play hockey!" Some kid actually said, "Okay, Pops" once.

Also, look for sessions where they have only hockey skills type sessions with no scrimmages allowed. These are great, I can even bring my 7 year old and have fun. I also bring him to special kids skate and shoots and I get good practice then as well, just don't take slappers with the little ones skating in front of the net. They do it all the time! Find a nephew or family friend if you don't have a kid of your own.

Good luck, and remember that these hotshots all started sometime too. Have faith in yourself and you can do it.

[tyson_two 0]

Check out hockeytoronto, or chesswood arena in toronto. If thats not too far, they generally have skates for low levels...

[dontdumpdangle 0]

i know that when im playing with someone whos new to the game, when ever im out there with them, i do everything i can to set them up for a goal. Just dont try and skate it your self alot, take a couple of strides and then move it.

[jds 20]

Sounds like I will try it out. As I said, I'm too old to worry about looking foolish anymore (once the hair starts coming out your ears there is really no point ) I would just hate to ruin it for someone else. I'm starting to dig the camaraderie that seems to go with playing this sport and the help everyone is willing to give regardless of ability. Will report back.

[Jarick 5]

No harm in asking the rink. Also, check out the skate beforehand (swing by and just watch for a while).

I played for many years as a kid, but never was any good at it. Picked it up again as an adult. For the first year or so, I only played on the ponds and at open hockey. I was slower and not as skilled as the rest (sometimes by quite a bit), but there weren't any major problems.

About the only thing I can think of is to work on your skating, starts, and stops, before you go to shinny. If you aren't proficient with the basics, meaning if you're falling over a lot, then it can be not only frustrating but potentially dangerous for you and the others. Stick and puck would be a great place to get the basics down, as well as any adult clinics you may have in the area.

Once you move on to shinny, just be friendly and keep a good attitude, and keep your shifts a bit short (which usually isn't a problem since they're so much faster!).

[JR97 2]

Maybe there's a World Division type thing you can sign up for. (A closed drop-in in a non-competitive environment. Teams are assigned weekly to keep skill levels even.)

Did wonders for me making the jump from inline to ice.