Who here actually plays hockey?

[gscott13]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

as for me, i began playing when i was four years old and continue to play now, some 29 years later... scary to think... played my freshman year of college then gave it up because my academics were suffering (practices were early am)...

 

[bsaeagle64]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Learned how to skate at age 35 when a 'beginner' senior league (NNHA) came to Boston in 1984. Played in the NNHA then the NESL over a 15 year period. Played in the USCHO game at the Frozen Four for a few years. I'm currently retired from competitive play.

Became a USAHockey official 15 years ago.

 

[guru88]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I play goal in a Women's League here in MI - Lots of fun and it sure makes with Winter go fast...our team only has 2 losses & I've had a few shutouts so far this season. I always wanted to play but Hockey wasn't available to girls when I was growing up so now I'm livin' the dream

And my 43 year old bones are payin' the toll

 

[Koho]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Agreed. The easiest way to get better is to play with and against better skilled players. You'll have a ton of fun.

You may also want to consider some skills clinics if they're available, especially for skating. You'll pick up stickhandling as you play.

Just make sure though you aren't joining a league that isn't well above your skill level or everyone will be frustrated. I organize a beer league group of moderate talent to a few skilled players (one former college and some former HS). There is one guy who started a couple years ago who can barely stand up and practically falls over if he plays the puck. He always wears the same color as me and half the time he goes to a D position (I think he believes you don't have to be able to skate much there) and I end up relieving him because he is completely worthless at the position so end up playing D for most of the game. (I mean he literally just stands in one place most of the time, at one of the blue lines.) It is like playing shorthanded the whole time. (For some reason, all three of the least talented players all wear the same color, so sometimes you have three forwards to pass to, all of which have about a 5% chance of actually catching and holding onto a pass.) The problem is, the guy is a father of a friend of my kid, and he just shows up each year, without being invited, so I don't feel I can tell him not to show up. He is a decent guy, just sucks at hockey. He touches the puck for a total of about 3 seconds a game and hardly skates, and apparently never practices on his own so he hasn't improved at all. (Half the guys will pass to him once in awhile out of pity, but I know with another group I play with, he wouldn't see a pass after the first time he lost a pass.) I don't know what to do, but it definitely takes away from the quality of my experience when I am already frustrated when even a few guys who can skate are clueless what to do as far as positioning and when to pass. (There are a number of guys who get the puck in their own end and just put there head down and skate to the other end and shoot, no matter how open a teammate might be in front of the net. (Reading this over, I am sure some will think, "this guy writing this is a *****, let the guy play". But I pay a fair amount of money to play and put in a fair number of hours so would like to have competitive games. And, No, I am not the only one with these frustrations. So I'll just leave it. After all, If I were really a *****, I would have told him to quit.)

Well I wish I could say that getting that off my chest helped, but it really didn't.

 

[Koho]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Yes. Very poorly but I did get to wear a Pro-Tec & Cooperalls in HS. You know you're jealous.

I got to wear Cooperalls for a couple years too!

Not playing anymore?

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Just make sure though you aren't joining a league that isn't well above your skill level or everyone will be frustrated...

Joining a league well below your skill level should also be avoided. When one or two players can effortlessly smoke the rest of the group, that can be equally frustrating for all concerned.

... I don't know what to do, but it definitely takes away from the quality of my experience when I am already frustrated when even a few guys who can skate are clueless what to do as far as positioning and when to pass. There are a number of guys who get the puck in their own end and just put there head down and skate to the other end and shoot, no matter how open a teammate might be in front of the net. (Reading this over, I am sure some will think, "this guy writing this is a *****, let the guy play". But I pay a fair amount of money to play and put in a fair number of hours so would like to have competitive games. And, No, I am not the only one with these frustrations. So I'll just leave it. After all, If I were really a *****, I would have told him to quit.)

Your sentiments are more than understandable. I would add two short thoughts:

1. If someone tries out your group and it's simply a mismatch, make the best of it for that session. There's no reason for anyone to feel bad. I say when in doubt, try it out -- and just accept that mistakes happen. But if the mismatched player keeps coming week after week, then something really needs to be said -- for all the reasons listed in your full post. Admittedly you're in an awkward position here. But that just means one of your teammates needs to step up and handle this one.

2. Newbies do have a responsibility to make sure that they minimally fit in before joining a weekly group. Don't wait for someone to speak up. Be realistic. If you're in way over your head, find another group. If the other players are so crappy you're bored, find another group.


Obviously none of this applies to one time or once a year social event like the Posters' Game. In that case, all ability levels are welcome...

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Joining a league well below your skill level should also be avoided. When one or two players can effortlessly smoke the rest of the group, that can be equally frustrating for all concerned.


Your sentiments are more than understandable. I would add two short thoughts:

1. If someone tries out your group and it's simply a mismatch, make the best of it for that session. There's no reason for anyone to feel bad. I say when in doubt, try it out -- and just accept that mistakes happen. But if the mismatched player keeps coming week after week, then something really needs to be said -- for all the reasons listed in your full post. Admittedly you're in an awkward position here. But that just means one of your teammates needs to step up and handle this one.

2. Newbies do have a responsibility to make sure that they minimally fit in before joining a weekly group. Don't wait for someone to speak up. Be realistic. If you're in way over your head, find another group. If the other players are so crappy you're bored, find another group.

In addition to these points, maybe offer an alternative option for this guy to play as well... Tell him that it looks like he's struggling and not having as much fun as he could have... Maybe offer a clinic or learn to play class as well if you know of any?

I wonder if this might be the only free time they guy can dedicate to hockey and that is why he keeps hanging with your group

 

[HockeyBum]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Joining a league well below your skill level should also be avoided. When one or two players can effortlessly smoke the rest of the group, that can be equally frustrating for all concerned.

It's much easier for a good skater to play it down a few notches than it is for a bad skater to fit in with a group well above their skill level. I skate with a pick up group a few times a month, and it can get frustrating when you get a few ankle benders out there.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

It's much easier for a good skater to play it down a few notches than it is for a bad skater to fit in with a group well above their skill level. I skate with a pick up group a few times a month, and it can get frustrating when you get a few ankle benders out there.

While clearly correct, it's a little more complicated than that.

For it to work, the "good skater" has to be willing to play down. As someone who ran a drop-in hockey group for many years, I can assure you that's not always the case. The all-too-common scenario: A couple of strong players show up. They're teammates, probably wearing their team's practice jerseys. Naturally they've "forgotten" to bring the alternate color, and fiercely resist any suggestion they play on opposite teams. Once play starts, they'll pass the puck only to each other. Then, half way through the session, they leave -- PO'd at the poor level of competition. They've basically ruined the session for everyone else, and couldn't care less.

Conversely, I've seen strong players handle the situation very well. On offense, they'll concentrate on playmaking, widely distributing the puck. On defense, they'll play decent positional hockey, but avoid shifting into high gear. They'll still have some fun. But the point is that they're committed to making the session fun for the whole group.

Obviously it's the second scenario you have in mind. While the good result is certainly achievable, it's not a gimme.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

In addition to these points, maybe offer an alternative option for this guy to play as well... Tell him that it looks like he's struggling and not having as much fun as he could have... Maybe offer a clinic or learn to play class as well if you know of any?

Good point. A nudge in the right direction is likely to be the best option.

I wonder if this might be the only free time they guy can dedicate to hockey and that is why he keeps hanging with your group

That's certainly possible.

It also sounds like he's more comfortable playing with people he already knows, as opposed to going off on his own. Which is, of course, understandable.

I do hope that no one gets the wrong idea from this part of the conversation. Most recreational hockey groups and leagues include a fairly wide range of abilities, and everyone gets along just fine. It's the hopeless mismatches that should be avoided.

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

It's much easier for a good skater to play it down a few notches than it is for a bad skater to fit in with a group well above their skill level. I skate with a pick up group a few times a month, and it can get frustrating when you get a few ankle benders out there.

The worst part about the ankle benders is that they sit there, and take 10 minute shifts as opposed to going all out and taking regular shifts. Of course the same is often said of those guys who do nothing but dangle all game, cough up the puck and contribute nothing to the team.

The worst has to be the clutching and grabbing old men who have no speed, but want to slow you down. I know I get hooked and pushed around a lot since I am only average height.

 

[brianvf]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

The worst has to be the clutching and grabbing old men who have no speed, but want to slow you down. I know I get hooked and pushed around a lot since I am only average height.

The C&G old men can't hook/push what they can't catch.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

The C&G old men can't hook/push what they can't catch.

Would you guys please quit talking about me?

 

[Koho]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

While clearly correct, it's a little more complicated than that.

For it to work, the "good skater" has to be willing to play down. As someone who ran a drop-in hockey group for many years, I can assure you that's not always the case. The all-too-common scenario: A couple of strong players show up. They're teammates, probably wearing their team's practice jerseys. Naturally they've "forgotten" to bring the alternate color, and fiercely resist any suggestion they play on opposite teams. Once play starts, they'll pass the puck only to each other. Then, half way through the session, they leave -- PO'd at the poor level of competition. They've basically ruined the session for everyone else, and couldn't care less.

Conversely, I've seen strong players handle the situation very well. On offense, they'll concentrate on playmaking, widely distributing the puck. On defense, they'll play decent positional hockey, but avoid shifting into high gear. They'll still have some fun. But the point is that they're committed to making the session fun for the whole group.

Obviously it's the second scenario you have in mind. While the good result is certainly achievable, it's not a gimme.

The problem is, there is no league in town, and no group for beginners. (Our group is probably the lowest skill level out of three I know of. I run this group, so pretty much control who plays, so I don't have to worry about people dropping in. There is a spread from decent players to guys who haven't played a lot (and then the one guy who can't really even skate). And everyone gets to know the other players, so they tend to spit up ability-wise, to some degree, and will pass the puck around. (It is actually the hacks who haven't figured out they should split up. Three of the 4 worst players always wear the color I usually wear.) I don't mind playing down to some of the players, as is the case with most of the better players in the group, but there are times where you find yourself out there with almost all hacks, and you feel like you are just handing the puck off to the other team if you try to hit one of them with a pass. But as I said, with this one guy who can't do anything, he has no other options, and because of how I know him, I don't feel I can do anything about it. I never tell him when it starts, yet he must read about it in the paper cause he just shows up. Fortunately I also play in a nearby town with another group of much more skilled players who know how to pass so I can get some real hockey there. In that group I am in the bottom half skill-wise (just about everyone played at least in HS). There are a few of the jerks though, who rarely pass to you (mainly to their buddies), and if they make one pass you mishandle, you won't see it again all night from them.

The joys of adult league hockey..... Wish I didn't love the game so much. That way I could quit and not have these annoyances.

Since my first post, I did hear the pylon telling another guy that he was putting in a home rink for his daughter (age 7, in first year of hockey and already a much better skater than Dad) so I am hoping he will get out and skate and stick handle enough that he might eventually be able to move and shoot without falling.

 

[Koho]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

The worst has to be the clutching and grabbing old men who have no speed, but want to slow you down. I know I get hooked and pushed around a lot since I am only average height.

Worse is the guy who is a good player, who you try to get around 9 times and he stops you. Then you finally beat him with a perfect move and he turns and hooks, grabs or trips you so you never get a shot. If a guy beats you clean, he deserves the chance to score. I especially hate to see it when one of the guys who almost never gets a scoring chance finally does, and ends up getting hacked.

The only time I reach a point where it almost seems ok is when you get the kid just out of high school or college who shows up for old timer hockey, and is unstoppable and almost never passes, but just goes end-to-end every time he gets the puck. I am a very clean player and have been tempted to hook in this situation.

 

[Koho]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Since I am on a roll. I have also been frustrated by a few guys in our group who can skate and stick handle OK, but pretty much just skate the puck down ice everytime and take a shot, regardless of if they are at a 5 degree angle to the net and have two guys parked right in front with no D. I am not great at seeing plays and making great passes, but generally, at the end of the night, I'll rememeber a good assist I made better than an unassisted goal I scored.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

The problem is, there is no league in town, and no group for beginners. (Our group is probably the lowest skill level out of three I know of.

Understood. In a smaller community the options can be limited; "find another group" may not be viable. My earlier replies didn't take that into account.

I run this group, so pretty much control who plays, so I don't have to worry about people dropping in. There is a spread from decent players to guys who haven't played a lot (and then the one guy who can't really even skate). And everyone gets to know the other players, so they tend to spit up ability-wise, to some degree, and will pass the puck around. (It is actually the hacks who haven't figured out they should split up. Three of the 4 worst players always wear the color I usually wear.) I don't mind playing down to some of the players, as is the case with most of the better players in the group, but there are times where you find yourself out there with almost all hacks, and you feel like you are just handing the puck off to the other team if you try to hit one of them with a pass.

The good news is that running the group gives you some additional options. My recommendation? Dig out a couple of old practice jerseys and bring them along every week. Or, if necessary, purchase a few cheap, plain jerseys in the appropriate color(s). Then, you divide the hacks between the teams 50-50, issuing whatever loaner jerseys are necessary.

If you want to be a little more subtle, you can have players of various ability levels switch. The bottom line is that you need to be a little more hands-on with the line-up. As long as you have loaner jerseys ready to go, the main reason for guys to resist is taken away.

...Since my first post, I did hear the pylon telling another guy that he was putting in a home rink for his daughter (age 7, in first year of hockey and already a much better skater than Dad) so I am hoping he will get out and skate and stick handle enough that he might eventually be able to move and shoot without falling.

Here's to hoping!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Since I am on a roll. I have also been frustrated by a few guys in our group who can skate and stick handle OK, but pretty much just skate the puck down ice everytime and take a shot, regardless of if they are at a 5 degree angle to the net and have two guys parked right in front with no D.

Boy can I relate to that. Countless times I've seen a guy put his head down and convert an odd man rush into a 1 on 1, then wind up with a low percentage shot or no shot at all. Obviously converting a 3 on 0 into a 1 on 0 is usually just as bad, if not worse. A few times I've actually gotten in a player's face and told him that I'm fine with him taking the shot, but at least fake the %@#! pass.

I am not great at seeing plays and making great passes, but generally, at the end of the night, I'll rememeber a good assist I made better than an unassisted goal I scored.

Amen.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Worse is the guy who is a good player, who you try to get around 9 times and he stops you. Then you finally beat him with a perfect move and he turns and hooks, grabs or trips you so you never get a shot. If a guy beats you clean, he deserves the chance to score. I especially hate to see it when one of the guys who almost never gets a scoring chance finally does, and ends up getting hacked.

The only time I reach a point where it almost seems ok is when you get the kid just out of high school or college who shows up for old timer hockey, and is unstoppable and almost never passes, but just goes end-to-end every time he gets the puck. I am a very clean player and have been tempted to hook in this situation.

I play in a couple pick-up groups. One created its own website, domain and all. Another went to blogspot and setup an account there. When people sign up, both groups assign the players to either dark or white to keep mixing up the teams. At the same time, they control the separation of the top players to keep the ice from gaining a slope to one end or the other. Slanted ice really sucks.

Check your rep; I'll give you a link to the blogspot group so you can get an idea as to what I'm talking about. The bonus of the route this group chose is that the blogspot method is essentially a free site, I think - never had an account myself.

 

[Markt]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

The worst has to be the clutching and grabbing old men who have no speed, but want to slow you down. I know I get hooked and pushed around a lot since I am only average height.

Hmmm... I thought you lived to far away to have played with me.

In my defense, though, most of my goonery is directed toward guys I coach with and friends of mine.