Just Starting Out / Intro

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Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum so I just figured I'd throw a little introduction out there.

My name's Tony. I'm 24 year old college graduate from the Boston area (go Bruins!). I played football and tossed the discus around in highschool, and I played club rugby in college. As well as being new to the forum, I'm also new to ice hockey. Playing the sport of ice hockey that is. I've been a lifelong fan of the sport, and will watch any game (not just my local team). I wanted to play hockey when I was younger, but the sport was too expensive, and with my dad working nights - my mom would not have been able to make it happen on her own. My dad (also a former hockey player) taught me how to skate when I was younger, and I played a bunch of street hockey growing up, so I feel like I have a one-up on many other adult beginners.

A bunch of the guys I work with, as well as a majority of my friends are or were hockey players - and continue to play either pond or in an adult league. A couple of weeks ago, one of the guys at work mentioned HNA's Beginner Hockey School for adults, and I've been on a mission to make it happen ever since. I recently upgraded from Bauer Supreme Select skates (like $50 at Bob's) to Bauer Vapor X5.0s. I've been dragging my friends and girlfriend to public skates for years and feel like I'm a fairly strong skater. Since I'm considering joining a beginner league, I also decided to purchase a composite stick, and went with a Warrior Diablo (100 flex / 5 lie / draper curve). I also bought a pair of 14' Warrior Koncept gloves.

I'm still in the market to finish off a set of hockey gear and have been reading reviews and checking online for some nice cheap beginner gear. I've gone to a bunch of different Play It Again sports, but I feel like most of their gear is overpriced. I feel like they also don't carry any of the lower priced protective gear that I've been looking at online (something like this http://www.hockeymonkey.com/easton-hockey-protective-combo-55s-ii-sr.html). I'm nervous to make a blind purchase, but am strongly considering it. Call me a snob or a germaphobe if you want, but I'm not willing to buy used hockey gear unless the previous owner is a close friend or family member. I also have a giant melon on my shoulders so I'm praying I find a bucket that fits.

Aside from gear shopping issues, I also have a concern about the HNA beginner school. I am a fairly strong skater (forward and backward, but pretty shaky with stopping), and can handle a ball/puck somewhat on the ground (not great on skates). I heard that HNA is pretty strict about apropriate skill level in each league, and I don't want to pay for a beginner league and have someone think I actually know what I'm doing and try to bump me up a league or something. It's going to be tough to make time for the beginner league cause I work crazy people hours/days.

Well thats my story if anyone cares. If anyone has any advice or any questions about me feel free to ask.

[hockeymass 11]

Hey!

If you're looking for a wider selection in the Boston area, I would suggest hitting either Pure Hockey or the Monkey Sports store in Norwood. Both should have a wider selection than you'll find at PIAS. Play it Again is good if you want to find some kind of crazy old school discontinued skates or one of a kind pieces, but not so good for new stuff.

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Thanks for the info, I'll definitely be making a trip to Norwood once the commonwealth gets the roads under control.

[SydNap 25]

Get powersksting lessons asap, and check out Sean Skinner's stickhandling vids. Keep working to get better and enjoy...it's a great game!

[Kessel'sOversizedSuit 18]

Before jumping into a league, I'd suggest that you start by going to stick and puck sessions and then to Shinny sessions. If there is any kind of adult skills instruction in your area, I'd check that out as well.

League play is great and all, but it's not the best place to learn in my view since you don't get as much time on the ice or with the puck.

That's what worked for me anyway (having only come to this game at the age of 30).

Enjoy it!

[chk hrd 164]

Not to be rude and no disrespect but you are not as strong a skater as you think, especially if you have trouble stopping. During a game there is much more than forward/backwards. If you can get some skating instructions. My suggestions is pay for one on one time; it might cost a little more but you will get more out of it. Go to as much stick & puck time as you can. Whenever you skate wear all of your gear and use your stick to get use to it, it feels completely different than no gear. Once you have a handle on the basics find some pick up hockey or beginner hockey and jump in.

[Oink 0]

Hey!

If you're looking for a wider selection in the Boston area, I would suggest hitting either Pure Hockey or the Monkey Sports store in Norwood. Both should have a wider selection than you'll find at PIAS. Play it Again is good if you want to find some kind of crazy old school discontinued skates or one of a kind pieces, but not so good for new stuff.

Stopped at Monkeysports in Norwood, and you were right they have everything. Got all my gear there, thanks!

Before jumping into a league, I'd suggest that you start by going to stick and puck sessions and then to Shinny sessions. If there is any kind of adult skills instruction in your area, I'd check that out as well.

League play is great and all, but it's not the best place to learn in my view since you don't get as much time on the ice or with the puck.

That's what worked for me anyway (having only come to this game at the age of 30).

Enjoy it!

Thanks for the advice. I'm a little hesitant on just jumping into stick and puck sessions, but I'll check one out soon. Also the HNA beginner program I was talking about has 8 weeks of instructional coaching, and a mini 8 game season against other beginner teams. Is this the type of skills instruction you are referring to? or just one on one stuff?

Not to be rude and no disrespect but you are not as strong a skater as you think, especially if you have trouble stopping. During a game there is much more than forward/backwards. If you can get some skating instructions. My suggestions is pay for one on one time; it might cost a little more but you will get more out of it. Go to as much stick & puck time as you can. Whenever you skate wear all of your gear and use your stick to get use to it, it feels completely different than no gear. Once you have a handle on the basics find some pick up hockey or beginner hockey and jump in.

No disrespect taken. I wasn't saying I was a great skater, I just meant I was a stronger skater than average. Thanks for the advice.

[Kessel'sOversizedSuit 18]

If that HNA program starts out with purely instruction for 8 weeks then that should fit the bill perfectly. One on One instruction would be nice, but definitely not necessary.

I wouldn't sweat the stick and puck sessions. Mostly its just people looking to work on stuff. There are no goalies, no games, its just you, a few pucks and time. Perfect. Once you get comfortable out there, then I'd suggest you start into to some shinny sessions which are (at least in my area) pretty low key and newbies are given a little latitude.

[Oink 0]

I wouldn't sweat the stick and puck sessions. Mostly its just people looking to work on stuff. There are no goalies, no games, its just you, a few pucks and time. Perfect.

This is exactly what I wanted to hear, I'll definitely check it out to get a feel for it. I don't even need to shoot around or anything, I just wanna start skating with full gear on cause I don't want to look like a nit during public skate haha.