Any Wackbaggers play hockey?

[peopleselbow]

I joined a so called "novice" league and my first game was tonight. I haven't played competitvely in 20 years but have always loved skating and have the itch again now that one of my kids is playing.

The league is far from novice. There were 20 guys there that play 2 - 3 times a week. It was extra ice time for these guys. I felt like I was in slow motion and everyone around me was travelling at light speed.

Any suggestions?

[Begbie]

I was a rink rat growing up. I played ice hockey in high school, and after that I played roller hockey (it was cheaper) for about 5 years in beer leagues at Goodsports in Wall, NJ and the old Recreation Station in Toms River. I haven't played since I moved to NC 3 years ago, I'm itchin to get back out there. They just built two rinks about 5 minutes from my house.

I'm way out of shape though and you know it the first 5 games. I didn't play roller for a full year and I was out of breath after 30 seconds when I came back. I would give it a few more games until you're body adjusts...maybe even see if there is a more inexperienced, slower "C" league around and work your way back up to play with these faster guys. It'll probably take a season to get your legs and timing back. I have that to look forward to myself.

I just learned that my wife and I are going to have a boy, so, that's even more determination for me to get back out there. My kid will be skating before walking.

[Palerider4146]

I played my whole life and was recruited for college, good enough to get recruited, not good enough for a scholarship though. I stopped playing for a bit, then got on a ice team a few years back with guys at the old hospital I worked at. Had a great time, but I was horribily out of shape. I on occasion have put on roller skates again and get into pick up games, but havnt done so in 4 years, hmmm that seems to coincide with the birth of my 4 year old.

[fkent484]

I play in an adult rec leauge and jsut started up 2 years ago again. My suggestion is to get in as much ice time as possible to get your legs back. I try and get to a few public sessions, working on my edging, crossovers, etc.

Our rink also offers "Stick and Shoot" several times a week that I try and get to. If they offer and adult instructional classes take them.

To get back into the groove, it all comes down to more ice time.

Keep it up, Hockey is the best sport on the planet by far.

[Beeman99]

I'm Canadian, so I don't really need to answer this question do I?

As for feeling like you're a step behind, all you can do is keep trying, get your legs back, get used to the pace, and have fun. Any rec league I've ever played is was FUN, and if you are on one where the guys think they are all up and coming NHL'ers, find a different team. The whole point of rec hockey is for guys that aren't good enough to continue past junior and senior, and for the guys that are old and just want to play still.

[Fr. Dougal]

I'm out of shape, but I've been wanting to join a novice league for a while now. Problem is, it seems like all the rinks/leagues here in lower Westchester, NY are all skilled ones. No real "starter" leagues. I can skate, I can crossover, I can shoot, but since it would be my first, I'd want a starter league.

Anyone know of any decent ones near here?

[Sack of Chisels]

Been playing since I could basically walk up until high school, but haven't played in a few years. Lately have been looking for roller leagues or open hockey because that's generally funner.

[Fuck Crosby]

i've been playing goalie since i was nine.

[Palerider4146]

Goalie here to, also defenseman. God damn that Hawerchuk shot doesnt get old.

[smurray06]

yea i have played since i was about 5 and took a this past year off because i'm in florida for college, i played once during break and the biggest thing is after a month or two you should be in shape to play, and the best way to not get to tired is take short shifts, i don't know how long our shifts would be but you have to remember once you are out of breath there is almost no way of getting it back.

[SurlyTruckDrivr]

haven't played in a while, but really miss it. I need to get back in shape to play, which I'm doing. Hopefully I'll get back into it next year, even if it's just a street hockey league, I'd be happy with that. I'm a goalie when I play street hockey, RW when I played ice.

[peopleselbow]

I'm out of shape, but I've been wanting to join a novice league for a while now. Problem is, it seems like all the rinks/leagues here in lower Westchester, NY are all skilled ones. No real "starter" leagues. I can skate, I can crossover, I can shoot, but since it would be my first, I'd want a starter league.

Anyone know of any decent ones near here?

That's what pissed me off about my "novice" league. It is all guys who are far from novice.

[Papagolash]

Time to start a wackbag ice hockey game?

[FMDoug]

I have been playing since I was 8. I played through college but since I graduated I haven't played that much. This past thursday was the first time putting on my equipment in over a year. It also felt like it was the fist time I was using my legs. My legs went and then my arms went. After 45 minutes and about 6 shifts I was dead. I'm going to do it again next week.

[Palerider4146]

Back in '97 when I was playing for my hospital team, it had been at least 6 years before that when I had last played ice. I had gained about 80 pounds during that time and I got to say, I felt like I had never ice skated before. It took at least 5 games to get some resemblance of my skating back.

[Barely Legal]

It looked like Brett Hull gained about 80 lbs on today's NBC broadcast.

[smurray06]

It looked like Brett Hull gained about 80 lbs on today's NBC broadcast.
didn't see it but i know when i stopped playing hockey i gained a lot of weight, it is quite easy when playing hockey for two hours every day and then not doing it while eating the same amount of food

[Begbie]

didn't see it but i know when i stopped playing hockey i gained a lot of weight, it is quite easy when playing hockey for two hours every day and then not doing it while eating the same amount of food

Exactly, I was 180 lbs when I was playing a couple years ago. I've steadily climbed since...to 215 lbs now.

[Palerider4146]

didn't see it but i know when i stopped playing hockey i gained a lot of weight, it is quite easy when playing hockey for two hours every day and then not doing it while eating the same amount of food

When I was wrestling in college, I was about 220, 12% body fat. This was with working out 3-4 hrs a day. After college, I kept eating the same and within in 2 years I was 296. Eventually I got it down to 230 but it's real tough.