Learning to skate

This thread should be stickied (if it isn't already), lots of great advice in here!
 
dmpaquet said:
Most of the stick times will require you to wear most of that gear. By the way, Pkd, I'll never go out without a cup! I've been hit in junk with a puck twice, off dump-ins or clearing attempts, not even shots. Even with the cup, talk about pain! And the occasional cup-check.

As for skates, I'd say hold off on the top of the line, $450 skates until you've played a while. As a beginner, you won't be in danger of putting so much stress on your skates that they break. You can find reasonably good skates for a little less.
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Maybe I was not clear. I never go without a cup either. I am just saying that I have only ever had one "hit" there and I did have a cup on. It was still very painful.

To me it is an always piece of gear because it also holds my socks up.

dmpaquet said:
As for skates, I'd say hold off on the top of the line, $450 skates until you've played a while. As a beginner, you won't be in danger of putting so much stress on your skates that they break. You can find reasonably good skates for a little less.
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Yes, for experimenting and deciding if you want to keep going, low skates are fine. If you are going to commit to playing hockey, then go for better.

Quality skates show a pretty strong return
 
Player Misconduct said:
How would one go disinfecting hockey gear??
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Washing machine with some sort of disinfectant cleaner? Rubbing alcohol? Soak it in something then wash it to rinse it?
If you keep leather wet is should dry naturally and stay soft I think.

I think you should skip the dryer and use cold water.
 
I looked at some dudes stuff yesterday and it was NASTY. It is becoming apparent that I will have to go buy some new stuff.

Yo BBO, can I get the bare necessities for 100 from hockey hawk?
 
pkd88 said:
Rubbing alcohol?
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Mmm, rubbing alcohol worries me. I'd be afraid of compromising the plastics. If you use it on styrofoam (like, in a helmet) say goodbye to whatever protection it will give you.

With my gear, I periodically wash everything with regular clothes detergent and maybe a shot of febreeze. I've heard of many guys dumping boiling water into gloves to rinse out the built up germs. I'm planning on trying this soon but haven't yet, so YMMV. The main thing I do EVERY time is open my bag and piece out all the gear to air dry for days. Once everything is dry I'll pack everything back up but only if I'll be playing within a few days. I'm rehabbing my back and haven't played in a while, as such, my gear is out of the bag and pieced out in the garage.
 
Player Misconduct said:
....Would I be able to go there with a hundred bucks in hand and leave fulfilled?
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Call their Santa Ana store, explain your budget and your knowledge of what equipment is top priority and what equipment is "whatever", describe yourself (height, weight, waist, hand size (glove sales desk at local department store can tell you)), and see if they can help you:

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/info.html

Do the same with Play It Again Sports, too.

http://www.playitagainsports.com/franchise/storefinder.asp


One question: if $100 is "all" you have for equipment (other than skates, which you already got?) ..... where are you going to get the money for all the sticktime, public skates, pickup games, coaching, and gas money for driving around to rinks, etc., etc., that you'll need to get any good at it?

There's no evading the fact that this is an expensive sport.


pkd88 said:
To help your skating I recommend a book by Laura Stamm....
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For a few dollars more, I'd think her video would be more useful, no?

http://www.laurastamm.com/merchdse.html


pkd88 said:
4 Shield or cage - Getting cut on the fact sucks. Trying to explain why you have a black eye or a ton of bandaids while at work is worse.
...
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I think dropping the fact that you play hockey is great around the office, especially for attracting females.
 
No, 100 bucks just for gear. That is what I wanted to pay.

And BBO, I am no stranger to expensive sports. I am a road cyclist and hockey is nothing compared to that. I just want to spend the least amount I can on gear now because when I do get better, and want to play with the real kids...I will be buying all new gear.
 
Cleaning Gear:
I would think plain old washing machines would help clean your stuff out. Just do one peice of gear at a time. Maybe with some oxy cleaner. Don't use the dryer, let it dry naturally.

My idea about rubbing alcohol would be to mix it in with water. I would avoid water too hot so the plastics don't change shape.

Speed Skating Video:
I have never seen her video. I only have her book.

I am 41 years old now and slowing down. I stopped playing for a few years and put on some weight. I am playing again but only at the low and mid levels. I am trying to get my weight down, my strength up and my endurance up. I think my strides are still pretty good but my aggressiveness with the puck is WAY WAY WAY down. I won't even try a move anymore, I just circle back and look to pass.

EDIT: LOL I wrote that like I was really good before or something. I am not as good as I was but I was not that good lol

Cuts on the face:
I am ugly and getting cut doesn't help me with ladies. Actually I am very shy and have low self confidence, maybe a nice gash would help me.

I have some sort of pimple/boil or something on my eye now and it looks like I was hit by the puck. People ask me if I was hit by a puck but I tell the truth. They don't seem to be attracted to it :)

I have one fear that almost came true several years ago and that is falling on a skate blade. A few years ago, I was pushed down from behind and my face landed on some other guys skate blade. Literally, the steel hit my tooth. I was not hurt at all but very badly creeped out and shaken.


Gear:
I would think you can get starter gear for under $200 (not counting skates).

Personally, I buy gear from Vic at the Skating Edge. He is a wonderful guy who seems to give me a discount on everything I buy. Plus you can ask him about playing in the NHL. He is a really nice guy.

Vic may just like me because I showed him how to find NHL games on the internet lol. Ask him about chasing Bobby Orr :)

I could have sworn that Hockey Monkey did gear packs at various prices but I don't see them on there.

We have not discussed buying sticks at all either...



Staring to play

It has been my observation that starting to pay hockey in LA is pretty tough. There are very few new players and even at the beginner levels, you are playing against players who have been playing for some time.

I think you get no new playes when the Kings don't go too far into the playoffs so we really have had no new players since 1993 :)

Kids that played midget or juniors are of couse too good and are not newcomers.
It is hard to get started.
 
Something else about starting to play and new gear...

It seems to me that the starting levels are much more dangerous then the upper levels. At the upper levels, they shoot harder and skate faster but they are more accurate.

I get hit by sticks far more often at the lower level then at the upper level. I have a huge bruise on my arm from being slashed and that happened at the lowest level.

At the lower level, they players are out of control. Their sticks are swinging every which way and they are just chasing the puck. Also, they have some NHL mentality that makes them think that you play defense with your stick instead of your skating.

I think gear is more important for the lower levels of play then the upper.
 
pkd88 said:
It has been my observation that starting to pay hockey in LA is pretty tough. There are very few new players and even at the beginner levels, you are playing against players who have been playing for some time.
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Here in the SFV, Valley Skating Center (Iceoplex in Panorama City) has started a beginner league. I played a few games in it until my back gave out. Anyway, it is designed for beginners so if you're interested, contact them (valleyskatingcenter.com). Some of the teams in that league are pretty tough though. While new to "ice" hockey, there are some roller teams that are obviously of a better skill set.

I would just like to reiterate though: Generally speaking, leagues are for competitive play, not learning! You learn in practice, not in a league game. If you are playing ice hockey for the very first time, I recommend you find a pick-up game with friendly players first before you try league play.
 
Hey PM,

Make sure you check out the RBK line over at Hockey Monkey... '07 gear is coming in which means '06 is on closeout deals. Plus, they give an extra "discount" for buying a package which includes shoulder pads, shin guards, and elbow pads.
 
Hockey Hawk is also having deals on the 06' RBK stuff, as well as older stuff.
I got a pair of RBK Team USA gloves for $28 ($45 on the website). Steal of a price. The gloves are sweeeet.
 
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just bumping this thread so it doesn't get purged with the rest of the old ones.
 
This thread is gold!

I'm finally going to learn how to ice skate this year and this thread is filled with tons of help.
 
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