A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twenty-Six.

I got in on a pick up style of game with a couple of the guys on my team last night.  It was a lot of fun!  It was a bit of a long drive, and since my car sucks in the snow, I nearly spent the evening in a ditch- thanks dark downhill S curve covered in ice and snow!  The game was set up by the other Paul on my team and it was only $10 for 90 minutes of ice time.  We basically played the entire time, with players swapping as needed- sliding down the bench- so I got a shift about every 5 minutes or so, with a decent mix of time on the wing and on defense.  I really really need to get much better at backwards skating- especially transitions- it's really affecting my play. 

I played on the dark team, and as it always seems to be- the light team was the better.  I think we were playing with a couple college or semi pro players.  Both the scheduled goalies cancelled at the last minute, so we played by what I'm going to call 'clank rules'- a goal was scored if the puck hit either the goal post or crossbar before going into the net.  I think the final score was about 7-3.  I wasn't really part of the play all that often- but did make a few decent passes and had quite a few good defensive plays.. i.e., I got in the way of everything.  

On a related note- I've always sort of thought that the inch or so padding on the top of hockey gloves seemed a bit excessive.  I no longer feel that is true.  While I was in the defensive zone, I crouched down to block a shot and the guy taking the shot smacked me right in the hand with his stick.  My right index finger went numb for a second and then hurt so bad, I was afraid it might have been broken.  Of course it wasn't, and a few rigorous shakes of my hand, and I was out again.  It's sore today, but not too bad.  The player who clipped me immediately stopped his play and asked if I was ok, which is why I love this game, at this level- we can beat the crap out of each other for an hour and a half, but everyone is looking out for everyone else and having a great time.  

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twenty-Five.

Well, the year is almost over.  We played our last game of 2014 on the 17th of December, since Christmas Eve and New Years Eve fall on Wednesdays- the night we play.  We had a tough loss last week.  We played hard, and were able to score, to keep ourselves in most of the game.  Then we started letting the other team get breakaways, because our defense was pinching in.  The team we played- Low Down Dirty Shame- has two or three excellent players who scored on the gaffs.  The final score was 10-5.  It was the first game that I was upset at the end of.  Even though we've lost each game, we've been playing hard and doing well.  We played hard in this game too, but we made some dumb mistakes.  Since we have a few weeks off, some of the guys on the team are setting up stick and puck practices and drop-ins, which should be fun.

We are also planning on going to Evergreen on New Years Day again!  It's going to be a great way to end this year long quest.  But it won't be over.  We still have 6 more games of the season, and I plan on playing for as long as I can! 

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twenty-Four.

We are still playing tough hockey, and I think I'm still making good progress.  Our ragtag team has come together pretty well, and some of the more animated players on the team are getting everyone involved.  We've lost all four of our games, but we're never being destroyed. 

I've noticed that I'm playing a more physical game and am skating better.  I really need to work on transitioning- so more public skate time.  
One thing that made me chuckle was something that is true in pretty everything.  When I finished a shift, the guy who was playing center with me (I still don't know everyone's name yet- no one has really done introductions) told me that if I was passing or moving the puck out of the zone, just hit the fuck out of it.  He said, forget trying to push the puck.. .like we were all taught, but just whack it.  So, all preparation falls apart.  Heh...

I did pull a hilarious and notable move- which got laughs and comments from the other team and the ref.  We were in the offensive zone, when the puck got knocked into the neutral zone.  In turning, I hit the opposing defenseman and went down on my back, offside.  The puck got knocked back into the offensive zone- and right at me, still on my back.  I heard the ref behind me say 'offside' and he was getting ready to blow the play dead, as soon as the puck hit me.  I lifted my back up on my shoulders. and the puck zipped under my back- without touching me.  I jumped up and got back into the neutral zone, and we got another rush.  Ha!

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twenty-Three.

A great game last night... except the score part.  We lost 0-3.  I was much more comfortable on the ice last night, and was able to get in on the play much more, handling the puck on each of my shifts.  I even played on both a penalty kill and a power play.  I was on the right wing again, which I'm really enjoying.

On the penalty kill- I was on the last shift of the kill, and when the RW before me- Hermann- was out, I tried to tell the RW that came after me- Dwight- to take the shift, since I didn't think I should be on the kill.  He was way down the bench, and I before I could get his attention the other Paul told me I needed to take the shift, for the experience, so out I went.  I was only out there for about 40 seconds, and luckily they didn't score, but it was a bit nerve wracking.   

As for the game- it was a battle.  We spent way too much time in the first period in our own end, and I don't think we had a shot on goal until the end of the period.  We got our stride in the second, but kept getting called on hooking calls, so ended up a man down.  We spent two of the last three minutes of the game on the kill.  We did end up shutting them down for most of the second half of the game though, and it was an exciting game, regardless.  

Since the kids are on holiday, Sam came to the game and watched from the upper gallery.  He was able to take a few pics and even shot some video.

Our bench... I'm the third from the left.  

In our own zone.  Everyone kept yelling for the wings to watch the point, so that's where I cement myself.  

Sam got a couple of shots on one of our offensive plays- if I remember, I was able to skate the puck up the wall and was able to center it in front of the net.  No goal though... 

Up the wall in slow motion... makes it look like I can skate, even!

  

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twenty-Two.

I can’t believe I forgot this part…

I went to Player’s Bench a few weeks ago to grab another stick before my first season started.  I went to the Sher-Wood rack and they only had a few 5030s, and the only PP10 that was available was left handed.  I talked to the staff and they told me they are no longer getting wood sticks and what they had on the floor were all they had in stock.  Damn.

I planned on going through my first season with wood sticks and then ‘reward’ myself with a composite stick for the next season I play.  I had no choice though- I had to get a composite stick.  I searched through all the racks for a stick to match the PP10, and the closest I found was the Bauer PM9 pattern- the Stamkos model.  The curve is nearly identical to the PP10, just a little deeper.  It has a lie of 5 instead of 4.5 though.  That shouldn’t make much of a difference, since I have no slap shot.  I  was also able to find a stick model that was only $15 more than the 5030- the Nexus 2000.  It has a grip style shaft though.  I’m going to have to get used to that.  The theory is that as you sweat, the stick becomes slicker and the grip helps with control.  The problem is, if you don’t play a bunch- i.e. me- the grip just impedes shifting your hands on the stick.  I may try a little water next game. 

Anyway… here it is.  I have to admit, I feel like a bit of a poseur having such a cool stick.  

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twenty-One.

A quick post- I survived my first game!  I was the fourth Right Winger with some great players.  I think I ended up playing about 8 or 9 shifts.  Not much ice time, because the 3 other RW- really really good players- all played long shifts.  I don't mind the small amount of ice time... for now.  It was a good way to start out, to be honest.  I do have to admit that I am the worst player on the team... I'm going to campaign hard for the nickname Link.

The team is made of a few core members and a bunch of new players and free agents.  The team wears light blue sweaters- one of the Pittsburgh Penguins sweaters, I think.  Only about 4 or 5 of the team has full on game sweaters with logos, and the rest of us are in light blue practice sweaters.  The number I wanted- 54- is taken, so I ended up with 21.  I can live with that.  We had a full team last night- 8 wingers, 3 centers, 6 defense-men and an incredible goalie. 

We played a sponsored team called Realty Source.  We led through pretty much the entire game, but they pulled their goalie in the last minute and scored to tie.  Ties are decided by a shoot-out in our league, and they won.  I was on the ice for one of our goals, but wasn't really involved in the play.  I was rarely involved in the play, to be honest, but it was cool to be part of a team that can hold it's own. 

The absolute worst part of the night was that I didn't get home until nearly 1 in the morning.   Alisha was up, so after I showered, we talked.  I admit, that I was a bit...  discouraged may be strong...  but a little concerned, maybe.  Concerned that I'm not going to be able to improve and be a part of the team.  Today though, I realized that I was so concerned about the little details, and learning the little things- getting off the bench, paying attention to the man I was going to replace... that my head wasn't really in the game.  I was also trying to absorb all the advice I was getting.  That's so damn cliche.  Anyway, I think that will change as I get more comfortable- which was already happening during the game.

What's not comfortable is wrenching my knee on my 2 to last shift... coming off the bench.  OFF THE BENCH!  Cripes.  

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twenty.

So... here we are.  It's been nearly a year since that first time on the Evergreen pond ice, when I decided to start on this crazy quest- to play hockey in a beer league.  Tonight is the beginning of the end of that quest.  I say beginning of the end, because I'll be playing my first hockey game in a league, but it's an 11 week season, and I plan on playing in the future.  Wow.

The team that I've been assigned to is Icemen.  It seems that it's the team that beginners and 'free agents' play on.  I've received a few emails that indicate the team is filled with new players, and they have a load of spare sweaters- for all the new faces.  When I was skating last week, there was a guy skating with his daughter.  On Friday, I went to get a pre-game sharp on my skates, and he was at Player's Bench doing the same.  We recognized each other and chatted a bit.  He plays in the D2 league, but he started out on Icemen.  He told me that Icemen always dresses a lot of skaters.  For him, as an experienced player, it made for a frustrating game, because he didn't get a lot of ice time.  For beginners, like me, he thought it was ideal, because we can ease into the flow of a game and a team.  In the end, he and a bunch of Icemen split and started a new team.  As a joke he emailed the captain and told her he was sniping me.  Oh, for fun.  It did make me feel a little more comfortable- knowing I wouldn't be the only newbie, or playing every shift, and being able to watch how the game is played.  

There are only 4 teams in the D4 league, so we'll basically be playing each other over and over.  We play late Wednesday games, so Pub Quiz is going to have to go on the back burner, which is a bit of a bummer.  I'm excited though!

I should clarify on something in Part Nineteen- the reason I'm nervous after listening to so many NHL and hockey documentaries is because of the part of the game called chirping.  I'm not good at it, and although I'm not terribly sensitive to taunts, I'm afraid it will keep me from really pushing things.  I know I can change my attitude to a 'not give a fuck' one in camps, but am unsure how it'll transfer to a game, when other players may count on my performance.   We'll see at 11.15 tonight!

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Nineteen.

I've signed up for the D4 league at Big Bear as a 'Free Agent'.  I'm really nervous.  At work, I'm able to listen to documentaries, and I've been listening to loads of hockey films.  It doesn't help.  I know that it's a rec league for beginners, not the pros, but like the camps I've been too- I get nervous about really screwing up.  I've never been much of a team sports guy.  The two sports I've excelled at are sports that require individual efforts- track and fencing.  In track I was a sprinter and ran the 100 and 200 meters.  I was a part of relays, but once the hand offs are done, it's up to the individual runner.  In fencing, it's always one on one.  I'm a classic introvert, and don't make friends easily.  I'm not good at locker room banter.  I've done ok in the camps, but I'm worried it'll be different being part of a team- something I've not done since I was about 12.  Here we go... 

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Eighteen,

The incredible experience of the SDOHL camp came to an end last night.  The drills we did were almost completely beyond my skill- lots of pivots and backwards skating stuff.  I have cracked that though!  I can skate backwards!  I even did a passing drill while skating backwards.  I say I cracked it, because I figured out how to do the C cuts with both feet and can move down the ice with some confidence.  I need to continue to work on it- and get the transitions and crossovers, but I'm closer than ever before.  Like I said after the DU camp- I can do this.  There's a slight difference than how I see that statement now though.  Before it was the realization that I have the passion and can develop the skills to play.  Now I see that I need to get into some games to improve.  I'm going to continue skating a couple of times a week and try to get to a stick and puck or two- and then I sign up as a free agent at Big Bear.

As an aside- I grabbed a Champion athletic shirt from Target for about $10- it really did make playing more comfortable.  At the end of the night, I wasn't left with a soaking wet t-shirt.  

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Seventeen.

The team I was invited to join has seemingly fallen through.  I never received an email from the guys who were arranging it, and I didn't go to Big Bear last week.  I'm not terribly upset.  The league was playing at a rink pretty far from my house, was really expensive, and was at a level I thought was to high for me- a complete beginner.  I'm going to sign up as a solo player in the Big Bear league instead.  I'm not sure how that all works, but I've got an email into the rink to get some information.  I'm sort of hoping that there's a skills draft, because I'd like to see how that kind of thing works.  I've got a friend who may want to join me, and I went for beers with some of the guys who I skated with way back when all this started back in January, and they're all really excited about playing some pond hockey this winter.

The SDOHL hockey camp is still going great.  One more session.  I'm really learning a lot and think I'm really improving.  I've gotten loads of tips and encouragement from everyone.  It sort of makes me wish I didn't live so far from the rink (about 17 miles with a 45 minute drive)- I'd defiantly join that league.  I'm also trying an experiment with my skates, because of some of the drills we've been doing.  We've been doing a lot of edge work, and I found that I slide all over the ice, so I'm going with a slightly deeper hollow to add a little bite.  We'll see how that goes. 

To add a little bit of visual fun to this- I've made some equipment changes. 

I replaced my old JOFA shin guards with a nicer JOFA set.  I found them at the used sports store for a whopping $10.  They are more comfortable, easier to secure and sturdier.

I've also gotten a new sweater and socks.  It seems that there's a sort of unwritten rule that says newer players go with dark sweaters and more advanced players wear light colors.  Not hard and fast, but just the way it seems- so I went with a dark green, but got grey socks.  I look like a member of Slytherin.

Finally, I've found a brilliant stick with a curve I really like.  It's the Sher-wood LE PP10 stick.  It's got a lie of 4.5 with a mid-heel curve of about a 1/2 inch, a rounded toe and is slightly open.  It's a great passing and puck handling stick.   The only problem is that they only make the stick in the 5030 line, which are wooden sticks, so if I ever decide to make the move to a modern composite, I'll need to find something else- I may do that once I've played a season.   It is lighter than the Easton stick, though.  I only got one, to try it out, so I'll need to pick up another one before I join a team.  I've also been experimenting with wax, but I don't think I'm good enough to notice a difference.

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Sixteen

I am again fully and completely in over my head with this SDOHL camp.  I thought I would be, and it doesn't matter.  Everyone has been really great and I've gotten loads of encouragement and help.  My attitude continues to be - not worry about looking dumb or what people think, and realize that the experience is going to make me a better player. 

On the down side- the Foothills rink is a really depressing place.  It is next to the swimming pool complex I spent most of my childhood at, but wasn't built until 1995- long after I left the neighborhood.  It's small, dark, dank, smells and has dodgy ice.  

I'm still on track to play on a team starting in October.  Woot! 

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Fifteen.

 Another step- I’ve registered for the Southwest Denver Oldtimers Hockey League Fall camp.  The camp is four weeks starting on the 15^th of September.  I‘m really looking forward to it, but I know I need to continue the not really caring thing.  I’m still worried about my backwards skating, even though I did better tonight than I ever have. 

I’ve been trying to skate every Tuesday and Thursday.  There has been a cadre of guys out on the ice a lot of the time I’m there.  We’re all at about the same level.  We gave each other a couple of tips on backwards skating and hockey stops a week or so ago, and continued tonight.  Towards the end of the night, one of the guys- Aaron- asked what I was trying to get out of skating and I told him about this hockey lark.  He said they were working on the same thing.  I asked if they were in a league, and they are just starting in October.  He asked if I was interested in playing… so yeah, I’m on a hockey team.  My quest to play a season in a beer league is about to come to fruition.  HUZZAH!!!!

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Fourteen.

So far, in my hockey journey, I've dealt with four different on ice experiences.  The first, and the one that sent me on this 'quest', was pond skating and hockey.  I really really want to do that again.  The ice was so expansive and the pond hockey rinks seemed so free of people.  I didn't even mind the cold.

By far, though, I spend most of my ice time at public skate.  Depending on when I go, it can be less than ideal.  Plus you can't bring a stick on the ice.  I've had some really good experiences at public skate and I've had some pretty awful ones too.  I have to admit, the awful ones are usually because of figure skaters.  I'm sure they are wonderful people, but there have been times when they get really pissed off when someone skates into their preparation for a jump and whatever it is they do.  It makes me want to skate in their paths on purpose.  Besides the fact that the rules plainly state that - Spins and jumps are prohibited on a public session- some seem to regard the sessions as their time to practice routines.  Some nights, especially after learn to skate classes, there is the added fun of tons of people.   That used to really annoy me, but now I see dodging little kids as part of my training.  Finally, it's also really hard to practice certain hockey skating skills when you can only go one way.  You can get a certain amount of crossover practice in, some backward skating and stopping, but forget speed stuff, or figure eights around the circles.  On quiet nights, I can get an end of the ice to myself for a little more room, but that's the luck of the draw.  

The third type of on ice time I've had is the learn to play hockey program I just finished.  I've written loads about that and so far it's been the best learning experience I've had.   Everyone is there for the same thing, the drills are organized and we have the whole sheet of ice for our use.  

The fourth type of ice time I've had are stick and puck sessions.  I've been to four of them so far and they've all been pretty good.  They've varied to being nearly empty and we've had a full quarter of the ice to ourselves, to being forced into a small zone of ice on the wall.  But at least you can get out there with a stick and do some stuff.  The absolute worst part of stick and puck though, it can be a sort of 'survival of the fittest'.  You have to get in early to claim some territory on the ice, and you have to deal with pucks flying all over the place.  I had fears of better players chasing newer players off their plots, but that hasn't happened.  I took advantage of my DU punch card from the LtPH class to do a stick and puck this morning.  Since I only had about 30 minutes, I didn't bother with my gear- just stick, helmet and gloves.  I got there just as they opened and was able to claim a corner of ice.  I was just going to do a half hour of stick handling.  There was private coaching sessions going on at the far end and middle of the ice, so I restricted myself to one circle in the corner- perfect for what I wanted to do.  On the other side of the center line a kid, who was about 14, had set up a cone course and was running drills by himself.  I practiced my stick handling in peace and quiet.  About 15 minutes into my time the kid left the ice to do whatever it is 14 year old hockey players do- he left his cones and pucks on the ice.  While he was gone a trio of siblings came onto the ice.   They ranged from about 8 to 14.  One of the girls was in goalie gear.  They skated around a bit, then congregated around the net, and had a hushed conversation.  They then kicked a couple of the kid's pucks out of the net and moved it.  When the first kid came back, they had words.  'This is my net! ',  'No one was here, and it needs to be on the goal crease so I can practice!',  'But I was here first!', 'You weren't here when we came out!' , 'Who's stuff do you think this is?!?'  I'd been on the ice for 25 minutes or so, and decided it was time to go.  The group of three was soon joined by their father, grandfather and probably an uncle.  The kid's dad had made his way to the ice.  I got out of my skates before the sparks flew.  I'm sure it ended well- the arena had more nets I'm guessing, but that's what stick and puck can become.

What I really need is my own private rink.  Kickstarter?    

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Thirteen.

Last night was the last Learn to Play Hockey session at DU.  We're not getting a makeup, but they extended our punch cards for public skate and stick and puck a few extra weeks.  I'm going to take advantage of that on Friday, I think.

We did shooting last night, and everyone was really into it.  We worked on wrist shots, which I can do to a somewhat decent degree, and slapshots, which I'm absolute rubbish at.  I put the puck on the net about three times out of my twelve shots.  For someone who's never really shot unless I'm standing still, I'm not displeased.  Plus it was the first time I shot a puck on a goalie- we only had one last night.  The drills included puck handling around cones and the circles.  That is something I definitely need to work on.  The highlight of my night was my last slapshot.  I was shooting on the goalie and decided to 'just go for it'.  I did the puck handle deal around the circle pretty well, and then went down the ice.  I gave the puck a little push to keep up its momentum and wound up for my shot.  I got the shot off, to the right of the net, and then flew onto the ice in a spectacular belly flop!  I've always wanted to do that.  I got up and raised my hands in celebration.  The goalie did the same and said it should have been a goal.  

The scrimmage was another full class game, and I ended up on the light team.  The light sweaters were outnumbered, so our instructor put the two red sweaters with the white team.  I think I played the best I ever had.  I ended up on defense most of the time- not by choice, but that's how the rotation went.  I think I was able to help out a few times, including helping stop a breakaway.   On the 'never done that before' front, I went over the boards for the first time.  It's not as hard as it looks.  

I also got to play on the wing a couple of times.  It's decided-that's what I want to do.  Playing with better players gave me an opportunity to get into the offensive play a couple of times and in the surprise of the night- I got an assist!  It was awesome!  I took the puck away from a defenseman at our blue line and went down the right wall.  I heard someone shout 'Center!', looked up and saw one of my team going right up the middle.  I passed the puck right to him and he scored.  It was brilliant!  

The takeaway from this minicamp?   I can do this!  I need to work on the fundamentals- skating, puck handling and shooting, and get more comfortable with the flow of a real game, but I can do this.  The main thing I need to do is get on the ice more often- both public skate and stick and puck- to practice and practice some more.  I'm also planning to attend an Old-timers league camp in September.  From the description, it's more of a basic skills class..  all for players over 40. Then it's onto a league!   

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Twelve.

My cunning plan of not really caring what anyone thought, and changing my attitude worked!  I mean, it didn't improve my game any, but it sure as hell improved my experience.  We did some skating drills, including a backwards drill that I wasn't really able to do.  I gave it a try and ended up getting a smattering of stick applause...  You know.. for the effort. The crossover drills were much better and more fun.
Then we did 3-on-3 scrimmages- two groups- beginners and advanced, which was much more useful to all involved.  It was blue v. red for my game. Each team had four players, and we were supposed to change when we got tired.  Unfortunately, my new attitude kept me on the ice for the first 5 or 6 changes.  By the time I was ready to change, everyone was getting really tired, and I kept on having to wait, or the player who had just gone off the ice would have to come right back on.  I'll admit, there were a couple of times my side had only two skaters out there.  We reds got our butts kicked, but we scored a few goals, and I felt much more involved and useful.  I also had some spectacular falls!
Now I just need to crack this backwards skating thing... I'm so close. 


In other news- here's the drying rack I'm using.  It's made of 1 inch PVC and mounted to the wall in our laundry room.  I didn't make specific space for jerseys or socks or anything, because I throw those directly into the laundry when I get home.  There is a shelf for storing the stuff though. 

A blurry picture of the rack in use- taken after last night's session.

Here's the rack sans stinky gear.  I just cut and bunch of PVC and went crazy with joints and glue.  The shelf is left over from a kitchen fixture.

A detail of the top portion of the rack.  You'll notice the multitude of screws on the T joints.  I tried gluing them, but my patience got the best of me.  I had that box of screws laying around anyway, and I've always preferred a mechanical connection.  Total cost was about $22 in parts. 

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Eleven.

HOCKEY GEAR!

Everyone loves getting new, cool stuff.  Even if it's used.  This is the hockey gear I'm currently using.  I got the equipment quicker then I initially planned, but I got some great deals.  I'm pretty proud that I got the majority of gear for $30 or less.  I got the gear at a local used sporting good store, ebay, and of course, Player's Bench.  I do think that from now on though, now that I have the majority of my kit, I'm going to go to Player's Bench for anything else I need.

My basic philosophy about gear is- it doesn't have to be new, and it doesn't have to be 'the best', but it does need to be comfortable.  I'm not a logo slave, although I love the old CCM logo, so as long as it all works, I'll mix and match pretty much anything.  

Here's my gear- pretty much how I dress for hockey.   I've left out the 3-in-1 compression shorts, because that's just salacious! 

I got this CCM Tacks bag as part of a lot on ebay.  I paid $30 for the whole lot.  I also got a set of crap elbow pads and the shin guards that I'm using- down a bit.  I also got a really cool pair of Hespeler gloves.  Hespeler was an equipment company that used to be in Hespeler, Ontario.  They were one of the first big hockey stick and equipment companies- beginning production in 1905.  Hespeler sticks are no longer made, and the town of Hespeler itself is now part of the Town of Cambridge, but the factory is still making wood sticks.  One of my puck shelves is a Hespeler stick, and since the gloves aren't in all that great shape, I added them to my display.  I'll get some photos of that later.

These are the shin guards I got with the bag lot.  JOFA is a Swedish equipment company that made some of the funkiest helmets the NHL ever saw (http://jofahelmets.blogspot.com/).  They were bought by Rebook in 2004.  The JOFA brand name and logo were eventually phased out by Reebok.  The last player to wear a full-on JOFA helmet was Teemu Salanni, who retired at the end of the 2013-14 season.  He had to cover the JOFA logo on his helmet with tape, though, because the NHL didn't have a commercial contract with them.   I added the velcro and straps to the guards to help hold them under my socks while I lace up my skates- they didn't have straps.  I think these will be the first replacements.

These were my best find!  A NOS (New Old Stock), unused pair of CCM Tacks breezers.  The Tacks line was a popular line for CCM before they were bought- also by Reebok.  These are from the late 90s, I think.  I was really pleased to grab these, because they are a little shorter in the leg than most of the hockey pants I've seen on the market.  I'm short.  They have great protection- maybe even a little too much in the thighs.  They are really comfortable in the hips and the the seat, and have my all time favorite sports company logo ever- the classic CCM squares.  Besides the stiff thigh padding, the only other drawback on these pants is the cinch belt.  They don't have laces and the belt has slipped once or twice.  I went with suspenders to with deal that.

Just a detail of the Tacks logo on the breezers.

My elbow pads are another great find.  Like the breezers- these are unused CCM gear.  The Vector line is still available, but it is now red.  They have an internal elbow cup and great strapping.  They are comfortable and stay in place really well.  During the scrimmage at my last LtPH session, I ended up finding out how great these were... a couple of times.

Adult recreational hockey is non-checking.  Because of that, there is absolutely no need for the chest, back, and shoulder armor most players wear.  Most of the guys in my class wear high tech, full protection, expensive shoulder pads.  I wear these- used Sherwood 5030s.  They are basically a padded vest with plastic shoulder caps.  They offer the least amount of protection, but are light and comfortable.  They also cement me as an old man.  In fact- the other guy in my class who wears these pads is older than me.  Heh...

Like my skates, I found that the most comfortable brand for my extreme extremities was Graf.  I bought these Supra G15 gloves new, and they were one of the few purchases I made that was over $30.  I think I paid $42 for them- I bought them at a used sporting goods place, which has a small stock of new seconds.  They are SO comfortable.  They are tight on my hands, really flexible, and have a reinforced palm that still lets me grip my stick with good reactions.

Another piece of new kit is my helmet.  I grabbed a Bauer 2100 at the same place I got my gloves.  It came with the cage.  This is the most ubiquitous helmet in recreational hockey.  It's inexpensive, adjustable, pretty comfortable, and decent head and face protection.  I've had to modify mine a bit because of my glasses, but it still works fine.  I do need to get contacts though... I spent half my time on the bench wiping fog off my lenses.

And just to fly my geek flag- I added this to identify my helmet.

Stick wise- I have a few to choose from, but right now I'm using this. This is an Easton wood/ABS stick that I got on the cheap- I have two.  The blade pattern is Zetterberg.  It's a flat, nearly closed pattern with very little curve, which is recommended for beginners.  This thing is a weighty beast, though.  I'm rationalizing this with the fact the Roman Legions trained with over-weight wooden weapons and wicker shields.  The idea is that if you train with equipment that is heavier than what you use to fight, you fight better and longer... it'll work until I can get something else.  


Finally- You need to cover all this stuff up, so I have a selection of sweaters and socks.  So far, I've only worn one set, and a couple can only really be worn when I have a little more experience; aka- confidence to fly my colors.

You basically need two sets of sweaters and socks- a dark and a light.  I grabbed these Tron sets on ebay for $25 a set (with free shipping).  A cheap price for cheap gear.  I've only worn the burgundy set, and that only twice, and the socks already have a tear in them.  I'm going to continue to use these through my LtPH sessions and then get some better gear.  The socks are the new mesh style, but I like the knitted style better- they fit a bit tighter.  I got the knitted Toronto away socks to wear instead of the white mesh.

My 501st set!  I made this sweater awhile ago.  It's the 501st back patch on a 1940-50s style Chicago Blackhawks sweater with Imperial Cog patches on the shoulder.  I have to admit- I love striped older style sweaters.  The socks are knitted Chicago home socks.  The Blackhawks wore black socks with red and white stripes with this uniform from 1937 to 1955, but I like the red better.

And last, but not least is my Alma mater- CU!  I bought the sweater at a CU-CSU game, which we try to go to every year, with me and my friend Jared in our CU gear and our friend Jack in his CSU kit.  The socks are Pittsburgh Penguins home socks.  I was thinking about wearing this at my last LtPH session, since it's at DU, but since I really stink up the ice, am going to spare CU the embarrassment. 

My next project is to build a rack on the wall of the laundry room- where I store my gear- so I can hang it up to dry after playing.  I never really appreciated how sweat soaked this stuff gets, and am really keen to keep the odor down.  I'll post photos of that soonest. 

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Ten.

I had my second Learn To Play Hockey session last night- or my first full one, I guess.  It was a little discouraging.  A bunch of the lower level skaters seem to have dropped out, leaving a core group of guys who all play together, and seem to be doing this as a refresher or practice session.  I think I can safely say that I'm one of the worst skaters on the ice now.  Since I'm less than outgoing, I'm also the quiet guy who doesn't know what I'm doing.  I was able to do the skating drill we started with pretty well, and even managed to muddle my way through the stop and shoot drill.  The passing drill... not so much, especially on the backhand.  It was a little frustrating- both for me and, I'm sure, the more advanced players I was paired with.  We ended the night with a scrimmage.  Yeah- that went well.  I had no idea what I was doing, and spent at least some of the time on my arse.  At least I got out there and did it.  Not to make excuses, but early in the skating drills I hit the board head on and jammed my skates up on my toes, so I was unsteady on my skates for a good part of the night.  I kept trying to get it sorted, but it finally took fully unlacing and re-lacing my skates to get it back to normal. In the dressing room, the 'in group', including the goalies, were incredibly dismissive of the newer skaters skill. 

Discouraging, but I'm not giving up!  I've decided that, besides having to skate more, I need to be a little more aggressive, and not worry about screwing up so much.  It's unlike me, but I just need to not care what the others think of my abilities.  Besides, I don't plan on playing within the DU rec league system, so once this program is over, I'll be moving on. 

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Nine.

I took another big step in this hockey scheme.  I enrolled in DU's Learn to Play Hockey program.  It's a shortened 4 session series- it's usually 8 sessions.  I may still work with Mike, but it's gotten too sporadic, and I wanted to be on the ice with other new players.

The first session was last night, and I was pretty damn nervous.  When I got the confirmation email, it said, in all caps- ALL SKATERS MUST BE ABLE TO SKATE FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS INCLUDING  CROSSOVERS AND STOP... or something along those lines.  When I enrolled, the only thing the registration mentioned was basic skating skills.  I was a bit vexed- I'm able to skate backwards... in the most basic way, forget crossovers.  And I can only stop on my right side.  I called the director of the program and he said that the class would probably a mix of skills and I should go to the first session and make a decision then.

Still nervous, I went ahead.  I went to the dressing room and got into my gear.  It was the first time I skated in my full kit.  One of the main reasons I was nervous was seeming presumptuous with a full bag of gear.  Considering that much of my gear is used, I shouldn't have worried- most of the class had pristine bags bulging with brand new gear.  I'm going to do a review of the equipment I've gotten in the next few days.

I went to the ice, and there were about 20 others out there.  The group was a definite mix of skills.  There were a couple of groups who looked like they knew each other, and they were passing and shooting.  There were a lot of individuals working with pucks and a few more skating around the edges of the rink.  I joined the group around the edges.  My nervousness only got worse watching some of the puck handlers- they looked a little more advanced than 101 types.  I did talk to someone in the dressing room, and it was his first session too- so at least I knew I wasn't in the wrong place.  It was nice to see that the group is a little older then I expected.  There was one kid in his teens, but most of us are on the long side of adulthood. 

Our instructor, Matt, arrived and called us to the benches.  As soon as he started talking a storm started and he was pretty much drowned out by the rain on the roof.  He shouted over the pounding that we were going to start with some skating drills.  We lined up on the red line- I ended up in the first rank on the left side.  Once we started the drills- I realized that I was not the worst skater in the bunch- I'd say I'm in the lower half.  The nerves began to subside as I was able to perform the drills pretty well.   We continued with the drills- and then BLAMO!  The lights went out.

The storm knocked out the power, and as we cheered and hit our sticks on the ice, the emergency lights came on.  Matt decided to continued the skating drills, hoping the main lights would come on so we could work on passing.  That never happened.  After about 30 minutes, the DU staff came out to kick us out of the rink (with promises of a make up session).  We got changed quickly, in the darkened dressing room, because they were worried the emergency lights would go out, leaving us in total darkness.  I drove home in a hard rain, excited to get on the ice again.  When I got home, I threw my soaking wet jersey, hockey socks, skate socks, t-shirt and towel in the washer and hung up the rest of my gear.  I plan on putting up a drying rack in the next couple of weeks.

Anyway!   It was a hoot, and I'm glad I've done this.  Yet another big leap in my Year in Hockey.

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Eight..

I had a full hour lesson with Mike last Friday.  I was dreading it, to be honest, but it was not as bad as I thought it would be.  We continue to work on skating primarily, and I'm still finding making my feet do some of the drills difficult- including the first backward skating drill.  I did make some improvement though.  Enough so, that I think that this whole crazy scheme may actually work out.  I also did something I've never really done before- stopped pretty much where I wanted to stop.

Towards the end of the lesson, Mike asked what I really liked about the NHL, what I liked to see and what I wanted to do.   I told him that I really liked a good passing play.  With that in mind, we ran a series of passing drills- both forehand and backhand.  We skated down the ice passing back and forth, we did square passing drills- accept a pass, skate to a point, pass back- and we did a give and go drill, where I positioned myself in the boards, took a pass and skated down the ice... like  a winger.  These are the best drills we've done, and I think I'm well on my way to playing on the wing!

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Seven.

I took a HUGE step forward in this hockey scheme.  I now have a skating /hockey instructor.  He got a hold of me after I emailed Big Bear, my local ice arena, asking about adult lessons.  They didn't have enough interest to fill a class, so they sent my name around.  He's called Mike and he's about 12.

Last night was our first session and I was destroyed when it was over.  We met at the rink for one of their Puck and Stick sessions.  Those are crazy.  There were about 12 skaters on the ice- with 5 or 6 nets set up.  It was the first one I'd been to.  It looked like there were a couple of kids working together on passing drills and then a few other kids working with coaches and dads.  The kids under 18 were in full gear, and us adults were in helmets and gloves.  I was the only raw beginner.  Being the self-conscious type I am, I was nervous for just that reason.  I don't think I really needed to be.  I got into my skates- which feel better every day- and gloves and helmet. 

We did a run down of the things that he wanted to work on in the course of the next few weeks.  We did some skating drills, which I found really difficult.  Mike said that since I want to get to the point of not having to think about my feet at all, I'd have to think about them a lot in the beginning.  We did single foot push drills, which I couldn't really seem to master.  Nor was I able to do the drill where I was attempting forward motion by only using my feet in a fish tail like motion- although I was able to use the same motion to a better effect when I was going in circles- using only one foot to accelerate.  The plus side of all this is that I have something to work on when I go to public skate on my own.

The stick skills were a little easier to handle, since I've been practicing puck handling and  shooting at home for a long time.  The hardest part with those drills was having a solid platform.. aka, my skates.  Passing and puck handling went pretty well, and I think I have a good feel for how it's supposed to work.  Practice needed though.  Shooting was the most fun of the night, although it includes a lot more elements than I ever realized.  The transfer of weight from the back foot to the right foot threw me, again because of the instability I have on my skates.  Mike does think I have the beginnings of a decent snap shoot though, which is pretty encouraging.  Now I know what specifics to work on at home though.

He also told me that he has a good idea what we need to work on for me to play in the social league, as he works as a score keeper and watches the games. I'm looking forward to the next lesson!

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Six

I spent an hour at the rink this weekend and my new skates are amazing!  There was a little discomfort to begin with- I know it's going to take another couple trips to break them in completely- and I have to get used to having really sharp blades, but the night was great.  Now if I could find some ice time where I'm not dodging little kids and figure skaters... 

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Five.

It's been awhile since I wrote, but things are going pretty well in this whole hockey playing thing.  I've been trying to skate at least once a week, and had been doing pretty well- until we went to Mexico for vacation in mid-March.  Haven't been since then.  Right before we left for vacation though, the rink I skate at replaced all their skates.  Instead of offering hockey or figure skates, they went with a hybrid type skate.  They looked pretty neat, and comfortable, but it turned out they were much narrower than the big clunky Euro rental hockey skates that they had.  The last time I skated I was lucky to be able to grab an old pair of Euro skates, but I knew it was time to think about getting a pair of my own.  I did that yesterday.

Instead of getting a pair of clearance skates online, I decided to get the best beginner/recreational skates I could. Luckily, the price point for this level of skate is in the $150-$200 range.  It's a bit much for one piece of gear, but I'm probably only going to have to buy one pair of skates ever, and being in skates that don't really fit, really sucks.  I decided to go for the full service- and get recommendations and professionally sized and fitted.

There are two shops that specialize in hockey gear in the Denver metro area.  One is Player's Bench, which is close to where I do my quiz- they had a recommendation from a friend who got skates there.  The other is a rink shop in Lakewood- which is pretty close to where I used to live.   I went into Player's Bench when I decided to start this whole thing months ago.  It's a huge place that sells everything hockey and lacrosse.  I need to bring Sam someday. Unfortunately, they are not open on weekends.  Anyway- I went in months ago to try on skates to decide what to look for online.  There were only 4 employees when I went in.  One guy was stringing lacrosse stick heads, one guy was fitting a kid for a hockey stick and a couple of kids were hanging out at the register.  I wandered around and was pretty blown away by all the gear.  I tried on a few gloves, shin guards and looked at goalie masks.  Then I went to loiter at the skates.  I checked out what they had and waited for someone to help me.  And I waited… and waited… and waited.  I finally left without talking to anyone.

I went back to Player's Bench sort of expecting the same thing- and I fully intended to wait for about 15 minutes, and then head to Lakewood.  Luckily my experience was a full 180 degrees from the first time.  I went into the store and wandered around a bit, then headed over to the skates.  I was there for about 3 minutes before someone came over to help.  His name is CJ, and if you need skates- see this kid.  He's brilliant.  He measured my foot and explained what I needed.  Then he grabbed three different skates for me to try- CCM RBZ 60s, Bauer Nexus 600s and Graf Supra G3035s.  I have sort of odd feet- they are like duck feet- narrow heel that splays out to really wide toes.  I really like the RBZ skates and from my research thought that would be the skates I'd end up with. The Nexus was second on my list.  The Graf was on the list, but not something I knew much about.  The RBZ fit my foot pretty well, but the heel was too wide and I kept slipping out of it.  The Nexus was the opposite- the heel was good but the toe box was too tight.  The Grafs though… they could have been made for me!  There was only one small part of the skate that was tight, and baking them helped that.  Interesting experience... getting skates baked- just sitting still for 10 minutes in hot boots.  Then they sharpened them- I am pretty ignorant about sharpening, so I went with the standard 1/2" as recommended.  I also got a set of soakers.  It was all a brilliant experience and the only thing I have any problem with are the bright yellow laces the Grafs come with.  Luckily they come with a set of white ones too.  I'll be changing those out ASAP.   Time to get onto the ice!

Getting the skates heat fitted (baked).

Need to replace these laces.

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Four

Today was a bit discouraging.  We went to the ice rink, and I found that the new skates I got had crazy arch support that really dug in to my somewhat flat feet- making it really painful to skate- and not having to break them in painful, but can't move painful.  I'm going to send them back and just do rentals until I can get a really good pair of skates- probably in April or May.     On the plus side- I got out there and did it!  The kids really enjoyed skating as well, so maybe we'll make this all a family affair.

A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Three.

Hey, hey!  I got my skates!  I'm really excited about this.  I kind of feel locked into this crazy scheme now, and my enthusiasm is still high.  I know the first few times on the ice with these skates is going to be torture though- both to break them in and because of my out of shape-ness.  I have a feeling the first few weeks are going to be the hardest part of getting started.  My ankle is still sore, but I've been to the doctor's and had x-rays, so I know it's nothing more than a bad sprain.  Advil, ice, and elevation- rinse, repeat.   

I've also made something of a decision.  I want to be a Winger- probably a Right Winger.  I'm going to keep an open mind and follow the recommendations of those who will teach me the game, so I may not end up on the wing, but I think I may be suited to it.  I'm a right shot for starters- which according to the stats I've read is a minority of players.  When I was in really good shape, I was not only fast, but explosively so- perfect for breakouts.  I'm also pretty big (or at least wide) and strong for my short stature- probably not big enough to be a defenseman, but big enough to fight in the corners.  Obviously, not having played in a real game, I hope I can see the way play develops from the point in the defensive zone.   And, finally, to revert back to a childhood reason- two of my favorite players ever were Right Wingers- Milan Hejduk and Ian Laperrièr (besides, one of the best 'short and stout' players around- Phil Kessel... right wing.).  I know this is all speculation- I might never be able to skate well enough to play, or I might be better suited to another position, but that's 'the dream'… now to get out onto the ice!

Update- my ankle is as close to feeling normal as it has in 20 days!  My tentative first skate will be Saturday the 25th!