Help me get rid of bad habits

[BlackIce 1]

O.K., I played hockey as a kid (only house league) when I was in my teens. After a long hiatus I've been playing the last 3 years steady (I'm 41). My skill level has improved a lot. So much so that when the guys don't see me at pick up for a few weeks they rib me about attending the local hockey school. The best part of my game are my skating and my shot. However, I need help with these two things:

1) Because my skating is fairly sound and I have good speed I've developed a bad habit of not stick handling with the puck. This works in open ice as I can put on the jets but in traffic the puck gets knocked off my stick. I am trying to build my muscle memory with off ice practice with the green biscuit but it just seems like I am not stick handling with the puck like I should. The times that I consciously said to my self "move the puck fast side to side on your stick" I was able to nicely undress the D-man.

2) When I am in a stationary position or a low speed glide and I get the puck I often look up and want to pass it right away instead of accelerating and going with it. Without the puck I've got jets but with the puck I hesitate. I am not sure if this is a confidence thing.

I know if I can improve on these two things I will be a far more effective player. Right now I play in "D" division beer league and I want to be able to play "C" one day. For those hockey gurus/coaches please help me.

[mug25 2]

#2 is most likely a confidence thing. I do it myself. If you can, go to a stick and puck with a buddy and have him hit you with a hard stationery passes. When you receive the pass, take off towards the net and take that shot. Obviously, stick handle the puck on the way up too.

[Chadd 916]

If you're not moving then passing the puck is usually a better play. Take a look around before you get the puck and decide what you're going to do before you pick it up. That way you can start skating as soon as you get the puck, if not before. I don't skate with the puck enough because of my confidence that the passes will get through.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

What Chadd said, before you get the puck, take a quick glance up to see where your teammates are or where they're heading. If you don't have a clear pass, either carry it until you do, or angle it off the boards to one of your teammates.

I usually have the same problem, I pick up a lot of speed, but as soon as I have to stick handle I lose the puck pretty quickly. I really don't have any moves to undress opposing players.