Getting out of hockey

[thejackal 46]

(listening to Sing for the Moment by Aerosmith, so depressing)

I'm really thinking about quitting my team and stop playing hockey, excpet maybe for fun outside during the winter. For some reason I just don't get a big kick out of playing the sport anymore. Plus our team will probably won't be worth jack shit (again) this year. It's sad, but I think i'll concerntrate on tennis from now on. I'd see myself playing that more than anything else in 20-30 years, hockey just gets too demanding for the body at a more advanced age.

Any of you guys on the same boat? Let's hear your stories.

[crosskore 0]

I was thinking about it. I recently moved and tried out for a bunch of teams and didnt make them, although I would have made them If i lived where I use to. I dont know if its because no one knows me, or maybe Iam just not as good as I always thought/hoped I was. Hockey was fun for me, but it was fun because I wanted to make a career out of it. Iam still playing hockey, but since I didnt make the teams I was trying out for, I've come to realize that iam not going anywhere.

I dont know what Iam going to do, Iam still going to the practice to see what team team iam going to be on. It just seems like all of my hard work over the years has been a waste.

I guess i'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[thejackal 46]

Same here Crosskore. I now realize i had zero chance of getting anywhere all along. I'm only 15 so i'll still play for fun, but only as a passtime, and nothing more. Kinda like reading on the bowl. :D

[crosskore 0]

17 here.

15 is still young though, you still have time to go to the gym and turn things around. This is my last year in minor hockey.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Continue playing because I still want to see you on the board. :D lol

Anyway, do what you think will be the best for you. 5 years ago, I was maybe thinking of stoping playing hockey but I've finally discover what is the real fun of hockey, and now I'm thinking of doing a carrer in hockey.

You are a good guy, I wish you all the best... ;)

[Fire0nIce228 1]

If hockeys not satisfying anymore then I say get out of it. Its like that thing where "you want to have a job that you want to wake up and go to everyday", to me its the same thing with sports/hobbies, you should want to do them not feel like you have to. Same thing goes for alot of stuff, relationshps,jobs,sports. Best of luck on your decision.

[thejackal 46]

I'm considering finishing the season unless something else comes up. Just to make sure I won't have any regrets once I pack it up. Time will tell.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

I almost quit hockey when I was younger...... I was in atom and it was my first time trying out for a rep team. I always scored so much in house league, I thought I'd make it without a doubt. Long story short, I got cut. I guess I didn't know how to take it. I was really gonna quit. I played select that year and had fun, and as tryout time came, there was no way in hell I was going to the team that cut me. So my mom and I decided that I should change systems. I made a different rep team and we played the team that cut me on a regular basis. They were the defending champs of the league. We played them in a early bird tournament and lost the semi's 2-1. I scored the only goal so revenge was great, that may not sound like much but then playoffs came and we ended up in a do or die situation with them. Whoever loses plays the best team who they'll lose to for sure in the semis in a 2 out of 3 series. I had to send my message :D . 3 goals and 1 assist in a 4-2 win. Sorry Ben..;) But I end up trying out for the team I got cut from and made it so now I am currently playing for them and I'm one of the leading scorers. So it shows you that anything is possible when your pissed :).

[Miserable 6]

I considered quitting a couple of years ago. I thought I was getting too old for it and just wasn't getting the pleasure out of it I once did. My fiancé (who thought I played too much) sat me down and told me that she knew how much it meant to me and that I shouldn't get so down about it. She talked me into reconsidering and 3 years later, I'm playing more then I ever did, better then I ever have. I love this friggin game.

If you aren't enjoying yourself then take a break. You will find out one of two things: Either you won't miss it and never look back or you will find that it means too much for you give up and you will enjoy it again like you once did.

As for playing when you get older; there are many over 30, 40, and 50 leagues for you to adjust to when you get ready for that. I attend and clinic taught by a 70+ guy that skates and plays better then half of the young kids in the clinic. I've also played with a guy who was 82 and played 3 times a week still. He wasn't the fastest guy anymore but he told me that he had been playing since he was 3 and he was going to play until he was in the ground. I hope I can do something I love that much for that long no matter what it is.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I had to send my message :D . 3 goals and 1 assist in a 4-2 win. Sorry Ben..;) But I end up trying out for the team I got cut from and made it so now I am currently playing for them and I'm one of the leading scorers. So it shows you that anything is possible when your pissed   :).

For the record we did force the eventual champions to a third game (best of 3) and it was within a goal late, and we had our leading scorer hit at least one post. Plus I wasn't on the bench back then. We didn't win that year, but we gave the eventual champions their biggest challenge. It was nice to see you come back though Jesse. :)

I'm sorry to hear you're thinking of dropping out of hockey. I am at a tough age where I'm eligible for juniors, but my schedule doesn't permitt it. So I'm left without a quality league to play in that will work with my schedule. I've often thought of leaving the game, but my passion still burns. I'd say take some time off, I've never been a fan of quitting, so I'd play out the year, but take some time off and see whether your feelings change and then make a decision.

[Keith 0]

I'm considering taking a break from playing. I just can't stand chelsea piers in nyc

[blackhawks4ever 0]

I have to agree with Miserable on this one. I am 38. I have played every year since I could walk (except when I was in med school). I think that time off made me appreciate the game even more. I came back to the game because I wanted to play not because I had to play. I still play 3 times a week (in a non-checking league that has former semi pros and Div 1 players) and although I don't have the legs I used to have, I know the game better that I ever have.

My suggestion..take some time off and see if you miss the game.

[NashvillePreds 1]

(listening to Sing for the Moment by Aerosmith, so depressing)

I'm really thinking about quitting my team and stop playing hockey, excpet maybe for fun outside during the winter. For some reason I just don't get a big kick out of playing the sport anymore. Plus our team will probably won't be worth jack shit (again) this year. It's sad, but I think i'll concerntrate on tennis from now on. I'd see myself playing that more than anything else in 20-30 years, hockey just gets too demanding for the body at a more advanced age.

Any of you guys on the same boat? Let's hear your stories.

You sound like me, I made the 'A' team at USC, but I'm just getting tired of playing. Not to mention that most of the guys on the team are pretty lame. So, I haven't been to practice in the past four weeks, and I'm thinking I may just play men's league with the hockey club until December. Then, I'll probably just quit all together and go ski the rest of the winter.

[stevo 0]

Damn, I feel bad for you guys. I'm 23 now and have also played from the time you're allowed to until now. I couldn't imagine life without hockey. I played a high level of hockey always. I guess it never really was an issue of whether I'd make a career of it or not. For me, I still anxiously look forward to the next time I can get on the ice. The only way I'd quit playing is if it was physically impossible to skate.

[nyhockey6 1]

I'm 24, I've been considering giving up playing myself. I've been playing since I was 14 both Ice and Roller. I just don't have the passion anymore that I had even 6 months ago. I dunno what it is, I'm not playing Ice right now just 2 roller teams and it's like constant bitching and complaining about ice time and who doesn't do this and who doesn't do that. And i'm playing with all guys who are my close friends. Like our last game this Monday night, I busted my ass drew a power play and then proceeded to ride the "pine pony" for the next 6 mins of the period cause the guy running the team now wanted his line out for the PP and they wound up staying out and they wound up allowing a SH and then another one right before I was finally able to get back on. I dunno what i'm going to do though, i'm moving down south to Florida real soon so I might take a break for a while and then play like beginers/intermediate mens league after a while to get back into it.

This is for everyone else who's thinking of getting out; If the passion just isn't there for you anymore weather it be cause of a chick or other stuff. Take a little time off and think things over. A kid who I coached since he was 11 (he's now 18) went through this a few months ago, he got a steady GF towards the middle of his senior year of playing HS hockey, his game started a slow down turn and he professed to me and the other coaches that he didn't have the passion for the game anymore and basically admitted it was cause of his GF and how he wanted to be with her and not go to open ice or just go to the local park and play pickup roller to stay in shape. He then moved away and they broke up, he got onto a Junior B team but the league folded, now he's trying to get on a Midget Major AAA team and he's also playing in 2 mens leagues to stay in shape. I spoke to him the other night and he's not the same kid who came to me and said he didn't have the passion anymore.

[Chadd 916]

I can understand the complaints about playing in beer leagues. Right now I'm on probably the most talented and fun team I've ever played for. It took some time and weeding through guys until we got to the point we are today.

[Racer8 0]

Jackal,

Sorry to hear you're thinking about hanging up your skates. Yet, the game goes on. Someone will pick it up where you left it: Faster, more effortlessly, with more tear bleeding passion, and more chisled perfection. Playing for a another shitty team in a sport you're going nowhere in just doesn't seem worth it, does it? I know. I played back up goal for a high level MN team untill my senior year and promptly quit hockey untill years after.

I don't play net anymore, yet I've rekindled my love with the game. Hockey isn't about the game...the one played on ice...it's about the game played within the mask. You can quit, but you won't be happy. You can play, but you won't be happy. At 15, you won't be happy. I don't know if hockey is you're biggest problem, but let me ask you this: When you're on the ice, skating, in practice, especially in a game, do you find yourself thinking about other things? If so...take some time off. Remember, a season only lasts part of a year, yet hockey can last a lifetime. Hockey is part of a life, not just a lifestyle.

Here's a joke for you to contemplate if you want to quit hockey: Are you a "never was" or a "has been?"

If you quit on yourself now, your a "never was," then later when you realize that as a hockey player you have within yourself more than just a game, but a fellowship of sportsman, you will realize that since you aren't as good as you were, yet were never really that good, are you a "has been" or a "never was?"

Try wax laces. That will delay the question. If you want to quit that is understandable. If you don't quit that is admirable. Play. Do or do not, only fully. If hockey loves you as much as you love it, the game will find you...and you will find the game. Sounds kind of inconclusive, yet I think you need to ask yourself why you play.

I played for ego and admiration. Now I play for fun (yet I still love to win.) Then again, I'm not 15. Good Luck.

[joshy207 15]

I started playing hockey when I was 5, and I'm 29 now. I, too, went through a period when hockey just wasn't fun. It was my first year of Peewee. I was always a house-leaguer, never really worked hard at improving, I just played for fun. But by Peewee, kids I had been better than were beginning to pass me by and I was seeing less icetime. After that season I decided I was done playing, but I kept active in the game by helping out with my brother's travel team and watching my dad play. I had fun doing that, but by the end of what would have been my second year of Peewee, I kinda missed playing. I still didn't come back though, I wasn't sure if I wanted to play again. I would skate at my brother's team's practice every now and then, or play street hockey, but it wasn't until I was 16 and a first-year Midget that I came back. By that time, my love of playing had been restored. Considering I had been off for 3 years, I had a decent year, 5G, 15A in like 35 or 40 games. The next year I went back to the association I played in as a young kid, and I had another miserable season. Too many guys on the team, I'd get shorted icetime on penalty kills (but kids I thought were weaker than me would play) and I seriously considered quitting to go to another team in the league. I stuck it out, and that summer, USA Hockey changed age groups and I got another year of Midget. Over half of our team came back, we got a new coach, and we ended up going to States. Since then I've played in mens' leagues pretty much year-round, even putting together some of my own teams. I also coached for 4 years, mostly at the Midget level. Coaching fueled my love for the game even more, and it also really helped me understand the game more and become a better player. Other than being about 60 pounds heavier and slower, with 2 bad knees, I'd say I'm a far better player at 29 than I was at 17 or 18.

Just because you're not having fun now doesn't mean you'll never enjoy the game again. Maybe a year off is just what you need to recharge the batteries. Best of luck...

[Crazy Otto 0]

A lot of players take a break from the game and come back rejuvenated. It might make sense for some of you to do that. I can't relate very well to some of you guys who played hockey at an elite level; I didn't even start playing until I was in my thirties. I'm sure it must be tough to accept that you aren't at the top of the game and you can't imagine not playing at such a high level.

Now I'm 45 and even playing in the local beer league is a stretch for me 'cause I'm one of the oldest guys out there. I still enjoy it and although I'm not a top player, playing 2-3 times a week is still a great workout and is a lot of fun. I have no expectations of achieving anything in the sport, I just enjoy it for the time I get to spend on the ice, and drinking beer with friends afterward.

[LkptTiger 1]

...I guess I could see why you would want out at this age. Personally, I have been working extremely hard lately, hoping the hours I spend on the ice, running and lifting will pay off soon. I am 16 right now, and plan on playing with the Buffalo Lightning Jr. A team next season. After that jump, I guess all I can do is work my ass off and hope I catch someone's eye. If I don't get any athletic scholarships thrown my way in the next two years, I am probably going to head off to Michigan and try to walk-on there (I have dreamed of playing for the University of Michigan for years and years now. It's the only thing I REALLY want to do in life). These next two years are going to be extremely stressful, and probably not much fun (I never thought I would ever say playing hockey wasn't fun). I still love the game, and will never quit playing, but I really need to buckle down and get some work done, which is making the game seem a bit too much like actual work lately.

I'm scared; terrified. I have no idea what I will do should hockey become a non-option for me. I guess all I can really do is turn that horrible fear of a future without competitve hockey as fuel to work and play harder. I wish I could stay 16 forever and not have to worry about what will happen to me once it's time to go off to school, because, quite honesty, I can see myself becoming overwhelmed with depression should I not play college hockey. But, I guess if I stay 16 forever, I will never get to put the maize and blue jersey on over my shoulder pads...

[SLy MaLLone 0]

I'm taking a break this year, so that I can work, and focus on my school work. Then when I transfer out of my school next year, I can start hockey up again, and hopefully have a much greater desire to play. My advice would be try to tough the year out, and maybe hang up the skates for a year or two, then see how you feel. I bet you'll come back to it.

[Neo5370 132]

Dude, are you not having fun playing hockey in general or are you not having fun playing w/ your "worthless" team??

Doing something you love w/ people you hate might put some tarnish on things.

Also, if you're quitting cuz you don't think you can make a career out of it.........I dunno. I"ve never met you so I can't say you don't love to play just to play. But I enjoy myself as much at pickup or when I played for teams.

Nothing wrong w/ playing in a bunch of rec leagues.

Basically it boils down to if hockey's worth your time/money/effort.

I hope you keep w/ it cuz hockey needs as many people as it can get :(

[lee92 2]

theres a guy here in town who's in his 70-80's and is still playing hockey. i was in teh same boat of quitting back in my peewee days due to breathing problems, having my dad ride my ass all the time, my teams being useless becuz jerks would cut me from all the rep/AAA teams becuz they didn't know me. i ended up taking a yr off, got my asthma under control, and now i never wanna quit. i think once u get passed all the hype of hockey and stop worrying over everything that goes on and just play for fun no matter what league u r in, then u'll be better off

[Accord 0]

I'm 19 and i've been playing hockey since I was 5 years old, I played until I was around 14 and when my family moved to Florida I just lost interest in hockey and stopped playing. I pretty much forgot the sport of hockey even existed from when I was about 14 to 17 and just got back into playing last year, I play in a casual no-checking mens league and it's a lot of fun and there's no pressure at all.

Don't quit hockey completely and sell your equipment, just take a season off and start playing again the following year, when I got back into hockey last year after a 3 year hiatus I had a whole new appreciation for the game.

I've had more fun playing in my very casual no-checking mens league the past year than I EVER did playing travel when I was younger.

[TCsnipes9 0]

I played back up goal for a high level MN team untill my senior year and promptly quit hockey untill years after.

if you dont mind me asking, where did you play? curious because im from MN as well, (apple valley HS)