MSHers in Edmonton

[pody37 3]

Hey Guys,

It looks like I'm going to be moving to Edmonton around mid april time. So I have a few questions for those in the know!

What is the hockey scene like? I play mostly roller in UK, to a reasonable standard here (not quite sure how that would translate to Canadian standards) and have played occasional rec ice hockey. I'd be looking to play both hopefully.

Any tips on where to play or how to register etc would be appreciated.

How easy is it to get tickets to watch hockey (or other sports) I know the Oilers arent doing too well at the moment so are tickets pretty easy to come by? How about the Oil Kings?

Is there much scope for jobs involing hockey? I know there are a few big stores in town. Does anyone work within hockey? What do you do?

Also if anyone has any general useful information for someone coming to stay that would be cool. I have some friends here, but am definately open to any suggestions from MSHers!!

Thanks in advance

[Rustyhole 1]

as for Oilers/Oil Kings tickets...$$$ solves everything, tho OK are easier/cheaper! same crappy hockey

the bigger hockey stores would be

United Cycle SFS

Cyclone Taylor

Pro Hockey Life (x2)

Sport Chek (quite a few)

as for hockey organizations...

Ball Hockey Edmonton

Edmonton Metro Ball Hockey

Edmonton Municipal Hockey Association

Edmonton Sport Council

PS... why the move??? personally I'd like to see the UK!

edit: added PS

[furlanitalia 1]

I was in Edmonton last summer and the Pro Hockey Life wasn't there: is it as huge as the one back east? and how are the prices? If I ever have to go back I wanna know if it's worth going to (none of the other stores were)

[Rustyhole 1]

as for size comparison... no idea!! :D never been east but it's pretty big

as for prices... pretty standard, no OMG...NF'nW bargains

I thought the selection was decent (didn't see any pro stock) but I was there just after it opened so it had a good stock of retail

the United Cycle just expanded (hockey dept. prolly twice the previous size) but they have - IMO - high turnover so no great deals but I know more people on the bike side (?) ... great selection of PPF's as they must've done a BIG custom order through Eagle (labeled PPF UC) (note that means they're all 14" I guess)

edit: where'd you go when you were here... there's smaller stores: Klondike, Belvedere to name two

[furlanitalia 1]

Honestly don't remember. I stayed at the Coliseum Inn and was only there for two nights as it was a work trip. I believe the places I went to were close, maybe 20 minutes away from there?

As for the PHL back east, I've only seen pictures, and it looks massive.

[Rustyhole 1]

I stayed at the Coliseum Inn

EEEWWWWWWWWWWW

[furlanitalia 1]

Really? I mean the area wasn't that great but the hotel room was fine considering I just slept there. Besides, it was cool to be right near the rink lol.

[Rustyhole 1]

they remodeled a few years ago, and I live here - never stayed there so maybe and yes, being acrosss the street from Rexall is cool. Why were you here??

[furlanitalia 1]

Business. Had to visit the Puckmasters' out there to do a store review. It was actually an all Alberta trip in which I flew to Calgary, drove to Med Hat, two days later drove to Edmonton, and two days later drove back to Calgary and flew home.

[Rustyhole 1]

it's Edmonton, pretty much every thing is 20 min. away!! hope you saw a smaller store as the bigger ones are nice in selection (if not in price or pro stock) but I'm sure it's like that everywhere

[pody37 3]

as for Oilers/Oil Kings tickets...$$$ solves everything, tho OK are easier/cheaper! same crappy hockey

the bigger hockey stores would be

United Cycle SFS

Cyclone Taylor

Pro Hockey Life (x2)

Sport Chek (quite a few)

as for hockey organizations...

Ball Hockey Edmonton

Edmonton Metro Ball Hockey

Edmonton Municipal Hockey Association

Edmonton Sport Council

PS... why the move??? personally I'd like to see the UK!

edit: added PS

Thanks for the links Rusty!

As for why I am moving...i visited about 3 years ago and just really liked the place, and Canada as a whole. I have the opportunity to get a working visa for a year, and have friends in Edmonton, so i thought why not!

UK is pretty cool, but ive been here 24 years! I think it'd be cool to try living somewhere else!

Do you play roller or ice? Where do you play? What standard?

Thanks!

[Rustyhole 1]

ice, and I just play for recreation, no league

I like Edmonton too and really wouldn't want to live anywhere else...just visit

[pody37 3]

Ok, cool. Thats probaby what i'd want to do ice wise, but i'd definately look to play in a roller league.

Rusty, do you have any tips on things to see/do while i'm in Edmonton?

[furlanitalia 1]

The one thing I did was went to see the Gretzky statue. But West Edmonton mall is supposed to be pretty awesome. And to shamelessly plug Puckmasters I'd go by their if you're a hockey fan. They have two small rinks, one with a shooting simulator at the end that is always fun to blast pucks at.

[Rustyhole 1]

West Edmonton Mall (amusement park/ice rink/waterpark/over 800 shops) is here as are many other shopping centres. During the summer we have many festivals (Folk Fest (music), the Fringe (plays), the Works (art; & a new Art Gallery of Alberta just opened), Street Performers among many others) and the 'CapitalEX' fair. the river valley trail network is very nice most times of the year and is great to bike/walk/run in

obviously there's bars, clubs, resturaunts etc. ... something for everyone, just depends what you like

[AHF 1]

I work at Cyclones. :lol:

The main stores have already been mentioned, so I'll help you with rec hockey leagues. There's quite a few of them...

EMHL - http://www.emhl.ca/sites/9945/

--Only five divisions, not strict on gear. Games all over the city.

ASHL - http://ashl-edmonton.stats.pointstreak.com...rs-leagues.html

--Games are all played at a very nice casino w/ twin rinks in the outskirts of west end of Edmonton. 10 or so divisions. Not strict on gear.

ERHL - http://www.erhl.ca/sites/7777/page.asp?Sit...age=news_league

--Also 10 divisions, so you've got every skill level. They are picky with regards to gear: shoulder pads are mandatory, visors must be CSA approved. Games all over the city as well, I think.

Alberta Mens - http://www.albertamenshockeyleague.com/so1...mp;service=home

--Not as many divisions, but quite competitive, from what I hear. Not sure about equipment rules though. Games are usually kept to a few certain arenas.

CCRHL - http://www.ccrhl.hockeyleaguestats.com/

--A newer league that seems to be growing rather fast. I don't know much about this one, unfortunately.

...and I won't be much help for inline leagues. :P

[pody37 3]

Thanks for the links AHF.

Do you know the best way of going about joing a league? Do i just turn up on the day?

We have found a possible appartment in River Valley. Are there any rinks in that area, as i won't have a car.

Thanks!

[AHF 1]

Hmm. Where in the River Valley, exactly? I would assume you'll be closest to Oliver arena, which is a dump. :)

As far as registering, I'd contact the league administrators via e-mail...they should point you in the right direction. I'm in the EMHL...I registered online, payed with Paypal, and that was it.

When you register as an individual, most leagues are pretty good at putting you in the appropriate division. There's usually a 4 or 5 game evaluation period where you could move up/down a division, if need be.

Without a car, getting around the city might prove to be a little difficult; or bus system is decent, but our metro/subway is not very useful. It only goes north/south, so you are very limited there. Mind you, I've had a teammate for the past two seasons that got by just fine using the bus. Most arenas are on main routes.