How to get someone back in the game?

[shifter 0]

My buddy who gave up competitive hockey 4-5 years ago as a goalie and I'm trying to get him back in to playing it. He had no reason to quit but he was probably having a bit too much hockey and needed a break. But after knowing him for 3 years now ever since I met him as a freshman at school, he still loves the sport. He is one of the biggest sports fan I know especially when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres or the New Orleans Saints his two favorite teams. When we go play some old school road hockey he absolutely loves the game. I always bug him about comming back on the ice and play hockey once again but, he just can't commit to it. He states that he was a terrible skater and all I can do was say he can always improve. So fellow MSHers any tips or advice to convince him back in the game? I'm trying to get him to

[chk hrd 164]

The old saying of "you can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink" comes to mind. If his heart is not in it it won't be worth it for him. He will just go out and go throught the motions; which isn't good for anyone.

[jcp2 2]

I had a colleague at work who was similar, but with basketball. He played D-I in college, gave it up afterward, and never played again competitively. When I asked him why, he said that it was because it was really frustrating to him to lose to guys that he could have easily smoked when he was younger (he's close to 50 now). He'd rather play baseball, his second sport that he went to the high school level in. Basketball really has a lot of baggage for him.

[The Mafia Line 0]

If he loves the sport, he might come back to it one day on his own. Your bugging isn't going to help. Let me tell you, there is nothing you can do.

[MorePower4me 0]

Get him to rat hockey, he should get in free as a goalie anyway.

Plus he'd likely gain some confidence since many of the players won't be 'top level' guys (speaking from my rat hockey experience only)