Finally learning ice hockey

[peteloaf 0]

I finally decided to learn to play ice hockey and wanted to share my experience along the way. A little about me: I'm 30 years old, living in Connecticut. I played a lot of soccer and a little street hockey when I was growing up and taught myself to ice skate. When I was 18 I took power skating lessons for a few months from this Russian guy who was on the USSR Olympic team in the 80's - that was an experience. I was never much more than a beginner skater though. Then I went away to college and 10 years later I finally decided to learn ice hockey. When I went to a hockey shop to get new equipment I was amazed how much everything has changed. Equipment is so much more advanced and crazy light these days. I signed up for a 10 week adult beginner hockey clinic and have been through 2 weeks already. The first session we worked on edge control, turning, crossovers then a 30 minute 3 on 3 scrimmage. I was able to get through all the skating drills, but definitely need a lot more skating practice. The 3 on 3 was a lot of fun. I have no idea on player positioning so I just made sure I was open for passes. I made some decent passes up ice and a lot of bad plays but I was happy I made it through the session. The second clinic session was more edge work and some passing drills. My first pass I fired the puck so hard across the ice that it deflected off the guy's blade and way over the boards. Guess I have to work on softer hands haha. There were more guys this time so we played a 5 on 5 scrimmage. I ended up playing defense and wasn't really sure about positioning so I just took what I knew from soccer and made sure I stayed with the guy I was covering and make good passes out to the forwards. Took my time when I had the puck and made some decent passes. The coach didn't give much instruction for the scrimmage, just a 'Go play and have fun'. Overall it's been a lot of fun, met some cool people and looking forward to improving. I'll try to update this post when I have more worthwhile updates.

[SnoJH 0]

That's great to hear and best of lucks on your future clinics. I myself just started a few years ago. It's been nothing but great. Love watching the sport, but It's definitely a great feeling when you're on the ice.

[AfftonDad 88]

My first pass I fired the puck so hard across the ice that it deflected off the guy's blade and way over the boards. Guess I have to work on softer hands haha.

TIP: You generally blame the other guy when he can't handle a pass that is too hard!

[chippa13 1844]

The proper chirp is something along the lines of, "Sorry, I thought you could handle a man-pass."

[chk hrd 164]

The hard pass is a great lesson. You just learned that you have to catch the puck with soft hands and not just put your stick out for it and let it hit the blade. A hard pass is tough to intercept, a slow, soft pass will get you in trouble

[mug25 2]

I wish more people in my league would pass hard...nothings worse than a weak old lady pass.

[wrangler 157]

It depends on the situation. Sometimes a nice soft pass right on your stick is the right play.

[Chadd 916]

It depends on the situation. Sometimes a nice soft pass right on your stick is the right play.

Absolutely, but If I'm going to miss someone, I want it to be because the pass was too hard or too far in front of them. At least they have a chance at those. There isn't anything they can do if it's behind them.

[wrangler 157]

You and I may be looking at different aspects of the same pass. I was thinking about how soft it hits the receiving stick, or about the last breakaway pass I got, which was nicely laid out in front of me, so I could skate right up to it.

I wasn't addressing distance; I agree with you on that..

[danno25nh 3]

You and I may be looking at different aspects of the same pass. I was thinking about how soft it hits the receiving stick, or about the last breakaway pass I got, which was nicely laid out in front of me, so I could skate right up to it.

I wasn't addressing distance; I agree with you on that..

People sometimes forget about passing to an area as opposed to putting it on someones stick. Those passes are relatively soft.

I often put the puck in a spot that only my teammate should get it and only if he's got his head up.

A lot of guys I play with comment that they're surprised how often I put the puck in an open spot that lets them get an open shot or open ice.

Tape to tape absolutely needs a bit of mustard on it. That's the biggest difference I notice between A/B level and C level play. The crisp passing.

[peteloaf 0]

Update: Thanks for the responses guys, I'll keep those passes nice and crisp. I've had a few more sessions at the adult clinic and now I feel a lot more confident skating. My balance has improved and the ankles are a lot less wobbly. The clinic really helps me work on skating with the puck, which I'm pretty bad at but getting better. Today I went to my first pickup session. I was a little nervous about a few things: How exactly do I make a make a line change, over the boards, use the door? Do I have to pick a position and stick with it? Am I going to get crushed? I figured these out quickly and the nerves went away. I felt at ease once I saw there were a few other beginner guys like me. The other team was stacked with really good players so I got a lot of time playing in our defensive zone. I made some decent defensive plays but the good players pretty much just skated right around me. I did get a few shifts playing offense where I didn't really do much but made a few passes and had a shot on goal. Overall the pace was a little too fast for me but I stuck it out through the end. I kept my shifts short as did everyone else. I plan on sticking with the pickup as much as I can. The higher level of play should challenge me to improve quickly.