Any Hockey Players?

Cool thread. I played hockey all of my life. I quit after playing one year of college hockey. I didn't lace them up again until I moved to Texas, go figure, 14 years later. We just had a men's pick-up league then so I decided I needed some more ice time and started to officiate. Well, that led me to the minor pros, and nearly the NHL. I have a couple of very close friends that made it to the show and I get to see them work games every now and then.

I hung up the skates after the 06-07 season due to a bad back. I had to have my spine fused shortly after that and I doubt I will ever skate again. It sure was fun while it lasted though.

This is one of my favorite pics. I think it's from my first season. I'm the one in the stripes:

 

fuel,I'm sorry your career got cut short but congrats on making it as far as you did.A guy that I work with is part of the Major Junior circuit in the "Q".Also,a guy who I went to school with is in the show-Tim Peel.I for one have always appreciated refs...We haven't always agreed,but it's pretty simple-without you guys there's no game.

As far as the pic goes,I'm awfully glad you're the one in stripes and not the one in black,'cause it looks like he's about to get a mouthful of knuckles.....(Is that East Coast League?....AHL?)

 

It's actually the Central Hockey League. I never did get any pictures of my games in the "A". If you look in that picture, the fourth guy in it that you can only see his face and helmet is one of my friends in the show. He's Frenc-Canadian and didn't speak a lick of English when he moved to teh States. We came into the league the same year.
I know of Tim. I don't know him, but of him. I've skated with Stephen Walkom, Bill McCreary, Ray Scampanella, Leon Stickle (Old school), Wayne Bonney (Old school) and several others. Great guys.
Alot of the guys I worked with came out of the Q, the W, and the O. Then 911 hit and it became difficult for the league to get visas for the Canadian officials. Now there is a lot of recruitment from the USHL junior hockey program.

 

Does roller hockey count? Its just cheaper for me. Picked up last year playing with some buddies at the local rec center. It's been a blast and hope to get into ice soon.

One of my buddies that plays with us also played in the juniors until he damaged his shoulder pretty badly. He usually skates circles around us, but we've learned a lot from him.

 

I play about 5 nights a week, been playing since I was 3 (23 now).

 

Man, I just got back from an epic skate tonight. We played 5 on 5 scrimmage full ice w/ no bench for about an hour and a half. If you need me I'll be the one not able to move tomorrow.

 

Reviving this old thread, I am trying to get into hockey and looking for any pointers for someone who's never played before.

I've done a few sessions of free skating so far and I'm gonna go ahead and sign up for a learn to skate program just to get the basics of skating down, but after that I'm not really sure.

I guess I also need some gear if anyone has any stuff for sale!

 

I don't know what your rink offers, but I started off by going to the adult hockey clinics they have weekly. I never ice skated before. That taught me to skate, stick handle, and the positioning just enough to join a beginners league.

If your rink doesn't offer that, honestly the best way to learn is to just jump in. You'll learn quick enough. Try pick-up hockey, or open-ice/puck-play whatever they call it to get out there in full gear and get comfortable skating around. Once you get to the point where you can skate and kinda stop, join a team. In the game you'll learn a lot more then when not in a game since you'll be thinking about the play rather then your skills and things just happen that you didn't expect. I don't know why, but I seem to skate way better during a game then I do during skills practice. weird.

As far as getting gear, craigslist.org... I dont know if you're all weirded out by using used gear (a lot of people are) but if you find a decent set that was taken care of that could be a great area to look for some gear. Hell, if you weren't so far away, Id sell ya my old set.

Good luck, and welcome to the best sport around. You're gonna love it!

 

I Play Mostly Defense, right now im playing for the Eielson AFB team. Its not much but its fun.

 

I was able to find an ice rink like 45 mins away that has a beginners clinic. They supply you with the basic gear and even let you keep it at the end of the course! It sounds like the perfect deal, I guess I'll do the basic skate and then enroll in that clinic.

 

i've played since i was 5 and i'm playing in my first year of junior now. just bought some total ones and i love them. i didnt have the full canadian smile, i had the lloyd christmas smile but i got it fixed.

 

im playing this year for the first time in a few years and its great... i love it again and its agreat way to stay in shape