starting hockey as an adult

[dicedece 1]

Thanks, I'm not small enough for Junior skates, but I found the one40s for like $60, and I'm probably not too big for them (about 170 lbs now @ 5'9.5)

thanks for the input!

[SillyMe 22]

I just happened to come across this thread while looking for sizing of jerseys.

Good Stuff.

I'm 49, had been off skates for 34 years until this very week, and the last organized "Hockey" I played was Peewees, passing a puck on a pond at 14-15years old doesn't really count IMO...

I just decided to get back into skating, and hopefully some hockey....that brings gear into play, so as you may have guessed I have been picking stuff up ( cheap Bauer 2100 helment and x3.0 gloves), and doing a ton of research...on everything.

Now I need SP, EP,SHP,Pants, cup

Luckily for me (and them?!) I've been able to do free skate a couple times this week with only 2 people on the ice both times, and while my pride took a big blow at 1st(I used to skate pretty good), I'm sticking with it, and it's coming back to me, albeit much slower than I would like.

Hoping to continue progress and get into some stick-time soon, then go from there.

I used to be a rink rat, you couldn't get me out of there as a kid.....I'm starting to feel like that again, so hopefully that will help with getting back into hockey.

I'm just amazed that there are so many people that started playing Ice Hockey at such a late age, I grew up in the city right down the street from a rink, but even with my early playing, I feel just like a newb.

Good Stuff!

[CB1 8]

Like one of the other guys posted, I started skating and learning about hockey at age 47 (now 50). Hockey wasn't part of my childhood growing up. The All Star game came to town and I took my son to a "Try hockey for free" clinic (age 9 at the time). He immediately was bitten by the bug. As a family, we took a Learn to Skate class at one of the local rinks. After that we bought our gear and then proceeded to go to as many stick and puck sessions as possible. I enrolled my son in several of the Learn to Play programs and I watched intently, learning by watching and listening to the coaches.

Since my son played house league and now travel, my ice time has really dwindled, plus was sidelined for a good bit early on with rotator cuff surgery, but I try now to get out when I get a chance to a public skate or a stick and puck session. For me personally it's been a slow learning process so I use every online resource to continue learning about skating, equipment, and etc. I lurked in this forum for a long time as it has a lot of valuable information.

Anyway, I wish I could have found the sport early as it really is a blast. We've met so many great people on this journey and the entire family is enjoying the ride! I'm still learning by watching my son's practices, and using any online resource. I think I'm at a point that I could play in a lower mens league, but still not 100% where I would like to be. But finding the time to commit is difficult. Until then I'll continue to plug away when I can!

[Chadd 916]

I'm just amazed that there are so many people that started playing Ice Hockey at such a late age, I grew up in the city right down the street from a rink, but even with my early playing, I feel just like a newb.

Good Stuff!

We (the website) seem to attract a healthy number of guys that are starting late or coming back to the game.

[benson 8]

Count me amongst the guys that are coming back. A bunch of guys at work had a group that would hit the open hockey nights and get an hour of ice time a week for pick up hockey, and they talked me into joining about 8 years ago. I didn't last long then because I hadn't played since I was a kid and hadn't skated in nearly 15 years at the time. I think I played about 2 months before I stopped making the time for it and stopped. Here we are 8 years and 2 kids later and I've started skating again (family open skates and outdoor ice here and there for a couple of winters). My older son is 6 and is in mini mites this year. I volunteered to assistant coach so I'm out there several times a week with them and it is awesome. Lots of fun. After going through the coaching certification, I have been looking at leagues to join now. I plan on waiting for the summer leagues so I don't overlap with my son's so I can make sure I'm there every practice.

Anyway, long story to say great thread, good info and I'm glad to see other guys in similar boats.

[mjpisat 36]

Used to play ball/street/dek hockey as a kid til 17-18 yrs old. Skated a hand full of times growing up, not much at all.

Fast forward to 34 yrs old, I've been playing for about 1.5 years. Bought skates, did one public session. Didn't do too bad. Was lucky enough to find a learn to play beginner league right away. We did about 4 practices on Saturday night. We were split into who needed skating help and who needed skills help. This rink is awesome though cause we were the last event on Saturday and we would stay out from 10 pm to as late as 1230-1am.

In addition to this league I did some stick n shoots and puck up with much better players. really tried to practice skating more so than skills. Hands weren't bad because of previous street hockey.

Did the beginner league for 2 x 14 week sessions. Joined a true D league. I'm now playing in a high D/low C type league.

It's all about skating and ice time. U get out enough, u get to know people, they give u tips and things to practice. I still haven't done any skating lessons but want to do a few soon. I still only stop on one side. With my right foot. Never concentrated too much on the other and it messes me up in games. Have a lot of other things I want to get better at too in order to move up a level. More fun for me playing with better peeps. Much more flow to games.

[WatchYour5Hole 4]

We (the website) seem to attract a healthy number of guys that are starting late or coming back to the game.

Absolutely. I have been lurking around here for the past year or so since I started playing. Actually just finished my first season of organized rec league hockey last month.

I used to skate as a kid, so for me I had some ability skating, but as far as stickhandling and shooting nothing. Position knowledge came from playing Xbox, literally.

Anyway, I started with used gear and a pair of EQ20 skates I bought new. Found a adult learn to play in Raleigh, we would do drills for 50 minutes then an hour and a half pick up. It was nice because you could try to apply what you learned immediately. Open skate, stick and puck and some pick ups is what I did for a year until I joined a league here in NW Ohio.

I can only stop on one side as well, although I have no idea if I stop on the other side during a game, I stop worrying about that when I am playing.

[SillyMe 22]

I still don't feel strong enough on my skates to attempt a right xover or stop yet, still working on going left, which is coming along nicely.

I do see a face plant coming though!

[MThockeydad 469]

I've skated on ice and roller recreationally for the past 20 years, but never owned a stick.

I started playing pond hockey with my younger daughter last winter. She wanted to play 'real hockey' so we put her in a girls-only clinic last fall. She skated for 2 months, then enrolled in squirts.

I hung out on the bench for a month and one of the coaches mentioned that there were adult skills clinics on Sunday nights with drop-in following. I thought I could skate and found out how badly I sucked. I hit every open skate I could with my daughter all fall.

She loaned her gear to big sister for Try Hockey for Free Day and got her hooked as well--she joined the U14 girls team.

Got stitches in my chin practicing backwards crossovers at open skating.

When the local pond froze, I skated during the girls' practices and many lunch hours and kept practicing the skills I learned at adult skills and went to drop-in religiously. A buddy of mine was sitting on the bench on Sunday night and overheard, "Remember how bad that dude sucked when he first came? He's really doing well!"

Wish I'd started as a kid, but I can't go back in time. I'm almost 39. The rest of your life starts today.

My first night of C league starts tonight.

I just happened to come across this thread while looking for sizing of jerseys.

Good Stuff.

Go a bit bigger than you'd wear a t-shirt. I wear a L or XL t-shirt and wear XL or XXL jerseys over shoulder pads.

[WatchYour5Hole 4]

Oh, and the first time I skated with pants I tried to kick the puck in front of me.... but stepped on it.... came down horizontal but those Graf pants I was wearing were friggin awesome!

[MThockeydad 469]

I had a heck of a time kicking the puck when I started; it's gotten easier after going to a bigger radius and trusting my edges more.

I played pond hockey with some kids who are great soccer players. One can hardly skate and could hardly stickhandle, but his puck kicking skills were incredible!

[SillyMe 22]

I've skated on ice and roller recreationally for the past 20 years, but never owned a stick.

I started playing pond hockey with my younger daughter last winter. She wanted to play 'real hockey' so we put her in a girls-only clinic last fall. She skated for 2 months, then enrolled in squirts.

I hung out on the bench for a month and one of the coaches mentioned that there were adult skills clinics on Sunday nights with drop-in following. I thought I could skate and found out how badly I sucked. I hit every open skate I could with my daughter all fall.

She loaned her gear to big sister for Try Hockey for Free Day and got her hooked as well--she joined the U14 girls team.

Got stitches in my chin practicing backwards crossovers at open skating.

When the local pond froze, I skated during the girls' practices and many lunch hours and kept practicing the skills I learned at adult skills and went to drop-in religiously. A buddy of mine was sitting on the bench on Sunday night and overheard, "Remember how bad that dude sucked when he first came? He's really doing well!"

Wish I'd started as a kid, but I can't go back in time. I'm almost 39. The rest of your life starts today.

My first night of C league starts tonight.

Go a bit bigger than you'd wear a t-shirt. I wear a L or XL t-shirt and wear XL or XXL jerseys over shoulder pads.

Hahahaha- good stuff :)

Thanks!

[badger_14 601]

Oh, and the first time I skated with pants I tried to kick the puck in front of me.... but stepped on it.... came down horizontal but those Graf pants I was wearing were friggin awesome!

Oh man, I stepped on a puck while coaching once ... luckily it was the end of practice and none of the kids saw it.

[16K 0]

I want to stay on subject. I'm mid-60's and just started to skate last summer. Been coming along, joined the local league and fell on my shoulder and tore a rotator cuff tendon (small tear by shoulder hurts) 9 days ago. We're going to wait a couple of months to see how it turns out and do surgery if necessary.

I was wearing Bauer One 40 shoulder pads. I am curious what shoulder pads offer the most protection and padding of the shoulders in case of a fall onto the shoulder. We have no good LHS's here, so I was curious about any input...especially regarding shoulder falls. Less concerned about rib injuries.

Thanks.

[wrangler 157]

I just hit 60 a few months ago; I'm glad to see I'm not the only one here. Sorry I don't have any shoulder pad advice; I don't seem to get injured from falls in hockey or basketball. I have got sore knees and elbows from dropping on them, so I have to have very good protection there.

[deathb4dismount 11]

I think the most important or hardest part of coming to hockey at a later age is learning the game and positional play especially if you want to pay in a league. Skating and stick handling will improve every time you are on the ice. I see alot of guys in my pickup game who just do not know the game of hockey and chase the puck around. It makes for some frustrating games. However, one of the leading scorers on the opposing team has only been playing three years and he nets a ton of goals because he is always in the right place at the right time around the net and makes smart hokcey plays. He never beats you with his skating or stick handling, but if you get out of position he will make you pay.

For new guys my advice is; as much as you work at skating and stick skills you need to double that effort in learning the game. Its what you do with out the puck that makes you great player.

[MThockeydad 469]

I was wearing Bauer One 40 shoulder pads. I am curious what shoulder pads offer the most protection and padding of the shoulders in case of a fall onto the shoulder. We have no good LHS's here, so I was curious about any input...especially regarding shoulder falls. Less concerned about rib injuries.

Thanks.

You'll appreciate good sternum protection if you block a slapper with your chest.

Similar spine protection will be appreciated if you find yourself falling directly backwards.

Not saying it will happen, but if you want enhanced shoulder protection due to fall risks, think about the other areas equally. Kneeds and elbows take 99% of my falls.

For new guys my advice is as much as you work at skating and stick skills you need to double that effort in learning the game. Its what you do with out the puck that nakes youa great player.

Man, that's no kidding. I've got a cool captain and teammates who are good with constructive criticism and advice.

It takes awhile to learn every position, but at least try to play the position you're at.

[WatchYour5Hole 4]

I want to stay on subject. I'm mid-60's and just started to skate last summer. Been coming along, joined the local league and fell on my shoulder and tore a rotator cuff tendon (small tear by shoulder hurts) 9 days ago. We're going to wait a couple of months to see how it turns out and do surgery if necessary.

I was wearing Bauer One 40 shoulder pads. I am curious what shoulder pads offer the most protection and padding of the shoulders in case of a fall onto the shoulder. We have no good LHS's here, so I was curious about any input...especially regarding shoulder falls. Less concerned about rib injuries.

Thanks.

I don't think a shoulder pad change is going to get you the protection you are looking for. I think for that type of injury you should look for some type of support/brace to go under your pads.

Here are a couple things I found, hopefully helps you out.

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/shock-doctor-sports-medicine-shoulder-support-stability-control-strap.html

http://evs-sports.com/store/product.php?productid=17698

[deathb4dismount 11]

I don't think a shoulder pad change is going to get you the protection you are looking for. I think for that type of injury you should look for some type of support/brace to go under your pads.

Here are a couple things I found, hopefully helps you out.

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/shock-doctor-sports-medicine-shoulder-support-stability-control-strap.html

http://evs-sports.com/store/product.php?productid=17698

I have to agree with 5hole, you need something that will support and or limit motion. More padding will only help reduce impact injuries like bruises or broken bones

[Chadd 916]

Agreed, very good advice in the last couple posts

[16K 0]

Wow. You guys are great!

Thanks to 5Hole (and Dismount and Chadd) for the Shock Doctor Shoulder Support w/Stability Control Strap System and the EVS SB03 Shoulder Brace recommendations. I actually order a similar support/brace (McDavid #462) which has ice pack pockets. But for on the ice the Shock Doctor and the EVS supports look more substantial and I will get one or the other after I try out the McDavid #462. I just learned that partial rotator cuff tendon (supraspinatus) tears are likely to heal on their own but full thickness tears won't and need surgery. An MRI will tell you if it's a partial or full thickness tear.

My general thought, which may be right or wrong... I don't know... is not to let anybody rush you. Only you know what you are and are not capable of. My stick handling skills were nil... I didn't have a built-in sense of where the blade of my stick was (without looking) the way you can catch a fly ball without any thought of where your glove is. Should have done more stick and puck sessions and dryland practice and will now set up a net around the house and play with my green biscuit.

When you're starting out and you're older you might be inclined to rush things somewhat. So you've got to be sure you've got your skillset dialed in. There are no shortcuts and you've got to take things one step at a time and be patient and give learning this game the time it needs. There's a lot to learn, but I expect that it's the greatest game in the world once you get there.

Wrangler... I plan on playing when I'm in my 70's.

[SillyMe 22]

A friend of mine in (high d or low C) has a 65 year old player on his team, and he's seen older...says he not the fastest, but has been playing so long that he knows where to be.

[magnets 98]

Learned to skate at 36, now half way through my first season in net. Love this game!

[canuck88 0]

I'm 37 and in the same boat - just had my first game ever on Saturday (got lucky and ended up with a goal and an assist!). I played a lot of road and ball hockey as a kid (and even a little into my 20's). I took some skating classes last year (my first time on skates in 25+ years), and then decided to go for it and join the beginner league. I'm trying to get to public skates at least once/week (there are noon-hour skates here where there are usually only 4 or 5 other people), and we have an outdoor rink by our house that I try to take the kids to once/week. Other than that, I have no other training routine. For me personally, I can handle the puck and shoot (thanks to road hockey) but my skating is definitely my focus (particularly quick stops and transitions)... good luck and have fun!

[MThockeydad 469]

I played my first tournament this weekend.

Benefit for our youth hockey association. I kind of thought about signing up this fall, but the rosters were full when I actually got up to do it. A team dropped out and the organizer called me to see if I was still interested. One of my c- league teammates (who was already on another team) threw together a bunch of B-league guys to play with me.

Holy cow it was fun and fast.

I also got to play with and against Tiger Williams, Dean Kennedy, Murray Craven, and Lanny McDonald.

I focused a lot on my skating this season. It's pretty good. No matter how good you think your quick stops are, there's somebody who can move faster. Keep working on them. I definitely need to work on my passing!!