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.