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.