Thread: I want to start playing but...

-I haven't skated in about 3 years.
-I never really quite got hockey stopping down.
-I don't have money for lessons.
-I have none of my own gear.

...but I do really want to start playing hockey...I played some Roller Hockey in my younger years and I know that Ice is very different and I never made that jump.

Can anyone give me any advice to solve any of my problems that I have?

Thanks guys.

Try some public skating sessions.

Look for used equipment (Play it Again Sports).

Start in a beginner's league, or just play pickup for awhile. You'll probably find a lot of players of all levels who will be willing to help you.

Try hockeymonkey or hockeygiant, craigslist heck even Big 5 (they'll suprise you with hockey stuff) take some public sessions and do some LGK pick up.

ebay the hockey gear if at all possible.

You can find some DEALS

Check your local rink for "stick time" sessions. You can skate out and practice shooting the puck, stick handling, etc. Full gear is usually required, there are already some good posts here regarding where to get some gear for cheap. Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Sylar

-I haven't skated in about 3 years.
-I never really quite got hockey stopping down.
-I don't have money for lessons.
-I have none of my own gear.

...but I do really want to start playing hockey...I played some Roller Hockey in my younger years and I know that Ice is very different and I never made that jump.

Can anyone give me any advice to solve any of my problems that I have?

Thanks guys.

Well you have a leg up on me then. Prior to about 9 months ago I hadn't played ice in 13 years or skated on ice in about 10. I grew up playing ice from about 4-10 and my step-dad actually played pro in Switzerland so I grew up around it. But it was interesting getting back out there but I went for it and I think in that short period of time I've turned into a decent little player...still a beginner but I don't suck. This is what I recommend .

Gear:

As others said, use all your resources, Craigslist, EBay for used stuff. Your best bet is Play it Again Sports in Studio City, GREAT selection and you can walk out of there with a whole set of gear (skates, helmet, shins, elbows, shoulders, bag and a stick) for about $300..probably less.

If you want to go with new gear check Hockeymonkey.com.

If you're going to splurge on any one piece of equipment...skates! Its like a car, you don't have good tires, you're not going far. Its the most important piece of gear in hockey. I got some used ones from Play it Again and used them for a while but they just didn't fit me right...not like a new pair will once you break them in to YOUR foot.

Also, about how tall and how much do you weigh? I actually have a full set of gear (minus skates, helmet) that I could sell you for pretty cheap.

Lessons/Getting started:

First things first, you need to be able to skate. Not well neccessarily as you're just starting, but just go to some public free skates and get used to standing and moving on the ice. The stops, turning, cutting...that will come later.

Once you can stand on your skates, and you have gear, go to local rinks and go out for a 'sticktime' which is when you go out in full gear and you can just skate around, shoot, puck handle and learn to skate better and learn general hockey moves. Its all at your own pace. I recommend trying to go, initially when they have fewer people, that way you won't feel embarassed if you fall (which you will) or can't do some of the things others can do, and also you'll have more room to operate, you won't get in peoples way and they wont get in yours, you can just focus on getting better...sometimes games will break out at sticktimes if you go during heavy hours which you may or may not want to participate in during the beginning stages of your development. Generally, hockey people are pretty cool and will be understanding and helpful if you just let them know you're new.

Once you can afford lessons, generally $40-50/hr, they are very worth while. Get as much as you can from them and then pratice it in your own time (sticktime) and that'll save you money. Use them to be exposed to new concepts and as time for the instructor to critique and fine tune you on stuff you've practiced.

Hockey stopping:

It will come, you will fall, you will feel like an idiot at times and you will get frustrated. Just keep trying at it, start with a single foot snow plow glide, then work your body turning into it and remember to glide more so than digging into the ice.

Overall:

Ice hockey is a great sport but just realize that you're learning to operate on an unnatural surface and adjusting to that takes time. You'll learn many new skills that you must learn to put together and that takes time and patience. Just go have fun. When you're ready, jump in some pick up games and join a novice/beginner league, that's when the real growth starts. Don't be afraid to fall, or mess up, just learn from it and take your time.

Best of luck!

My deal is I'm afraid I'll get hurt, and I don't have any insurance that will cover me if I get hurt outside of work, like aflac or something like that. Any recommendations?

whatever rink you play at will be affiliated with some association, whether it be USA Hockey, AAU, USA Inline, etc. Upon sign up with a team/league, they have you fill out a waiver agreeing to that membership. The membership for any of those serves as insurance and covers you for injuries while playing at those rinks. Coverages vary based on the rink.

For those who have blown it off, it's a very important thing to have no matter where you play. For $20 a year it covers your ass and also serves as a second layer of protection if you have your own health insurance as far as cost if you are injured.

https://www.usahockeyregistration.co...s/Benefits.pdf

Any chance we can hold an LGK drills and practice?
I think we have enough players to form this.
Young and old, experienced and new, we can do it.