CTC
Registered User
- Oct 9, 2014
- 469
- 152
So, I have watched hockey for more than half my life, I'm a big fan of the game and I have played for countless hours at the ODR over the last few years. I really am not great and still consider myself a beginner but I have focused mostly on skating but I was able to pot a few against an actual fully suited up goalie last year, which was an amazing feeling! I have such an amazing time and can't really tell you how much Fun I have playing. I look forward to the rinks being open each year more and more and hope for clear cold weather.
I have been thinking that the ODR is great and I have a blast but its so weather dependent that it can really put a downer on plans to play and you hope enough people show up(normally not a problem in my area) but you normally don't get actual goalies. Recently I was asked to take part in actual rink hockey and I had to respond that I wouldn't even know how to put the equipment on...they had a good laugh but the invite was still there. It got me thinking about investing in my own gear and taking that next step. I read all the beer league stories here and it seems like it would be fun to be part of a team again, but it's a little nerve racking to think about doing something you have never done before when most of the players I assume have been doing this for their whole lives. I'm still athletic and in decent shape, my background in sports is soccer and I played competitive football from high-school to semi-pro before finally calling it quits at 25(family), I'm 31 now, 6'1 @ 214lbs and know I'm still a bit on the heavy side I guess when compared to regular hockey players.
So thanks for reading all that...Here is my question, looking for advice from those who are in the same boat or from vets who care to share what they wished they knew when first starting out, obviously I have no dreams of grandeur here lol but I still want to be competitive. Tips on gear for starting out, and even the in-rink etiquette. Football was fun but I do wish that I chose hockey to focus on as a youth.
Much appreciated!
I have been thinking that the ODR is great and I have a blast but its so weather dependent that it can really put a downer on plans to play and you hope enough people show up(normally not a problem in my area) but you normally don't get actual goalies. Recently I was asked to take part in actual rink hockey and I had to respond that I wouldn't even know how to put the equipment on...they had a good laugh but the invite was still there. It got me thinking about investing in my own gear and taking that next step. I read all the beer league stories here and it seems like it would be fun to be part of a team again, but it's a little nerve racking to think about doing something you have never done before when most of the players I assume have been doing this for their whole lives. I'm still athletic and in decent shape, my background in sports is soccer and I played competitive football from high-school to semi-pro before finally calling it quits at 25(family), I'm 31 now, 6'1 @ 214lbs and know I'm still a bit on the heavy side I guess when compared to regular hockey players.
So thanks for reading all that...Here is my question, looking for advice from those who are in the same boat or from vets who care to share what they wished they knew when first starting out, obviously I have no dreams of grandeur here lol but I still want to be competitive. Tips on gear for starting out, and even the in-rink etiquette. Football was fun but I do wish that I chose hockey to focus on as a youth.
Much appreciated!