r/hockeyplayers

My rink only has stick and puck at terrible times (midday on work days), so I can only really do public skate to practice skating. I want to practice edge work, which usually involves me falling occasionally, so I like to wear gear. That said, I got some ribbing for wearing gear at public skate the other day, and it got me wondering whether it’s obnoxious or a faux pas to be wearing gear / practicing edgework at public skate?

Assuming you’re not being a menace and sprinting around like a maniac, of course.

EDIT: to clarify, I’m not talking about a stick and puck, just pads and helmet.

I've always used Warrior sticks my whole time playing, usually the Alpha models and always the W03 curve. Been thinking when it's time for a new one to look at some different options when it comes time for a new one. I only play beer league so I don't need anything too wild. With the cheapest alpha model now usually costing 150 dollars, is there any brand, site etc that would be a better bang for my buck?

Im in my 30s and learning to play - started skating for the first time in march (took 4 levels of learn to skate) and now in a LTP at a local rink. It has 3 class cycles of about 5 weeks each and this is cycle 3. Ive been lucky enough to get a slot in all of them and I’ve been really feeling like I’m improving (which coming from 0 still means I’m slow and kind of timid but improvement is improvement).

The third cycle is 2 weeks in and it’s been… rough. I don’t mean bad drills but the scrimmage we run at the end of class is now kind of terrifying.

This cycle has a bunch of guys from a local league (not at this rink) and their beef and animosity is in the class and scrimmage and keeps escalating. One pair started trying to pull each other down by their shirts in scrimmage. Another guy is slashing into everyone’s legs (he hasn’t hit my stick once but my shins? Every time we’re out and it’s not just me for being slow). A screaming match in the locker room ensued after class this week. I will add without too much detail that these offenders are also assholes about screw ups as we’re learning new drills and especially hard on the women in our class.

Am I just a wuss here? Or is this waaayy too much for learn to play?

I am new to hockey, a few months in and looking to join a league in the next month or so. I currently have a stick I bought for 15 used but it feels a bit short and the blade is starting to crack right in the middle on the bottom. It is still usable, but want to have something ready for when that does eventually happen. My question is if people have any recomendations of sticks that are entry level but can still get the correct techniques on before deciding to upgrade later if I want. I was looking at the ProStockHockeySticks OG blue or red as its $110. Is this a good option or is there a better blackout/direct to consumer option. I know of hockey stickman as well, is it worth the extra to get the pro blackout there? Any help is greatly appreciated

Also, is the Mid or low kick a better option for someone just learning?

I tried each boot on and thought they were both extremely comfortable; however, I’m hesitant to pull the trigger on them with the added pitch. Fearful it’ll be too much of an adjustment to learn to skate on my toes (I’m in my 40s 👴🏼).

My son uses a CCM Jetspeed jr 40 flex p29+

I want to get him a budget friendly alternative to use for shooting at home. I want the feel to be similar but not cost me a fortune to be only used at home. Any suggestions what would be similar please!

Im buying gear for the first time and it seems like everyone recommends to buy used (except maybe a helmet) to save money. But I cant imagine putting on gear that someone else has sweated in, that just grosses me out. Is it just me?

I recently returned to Hockey after a 23 year break. I played minnesota A level hockey in the 90s when the game had much more hitting. I have noticed that if I play hard 100% defense, some of the offense players get upset.

For example, in my last game a forward is driving wide and trying to cut into the net, I was skating side by side with him and when he cut in there was some shoulder contact. I wouldn't consider it checking just competitive contact, regardless he is the one who skated into me. He was still able to get a shot off but hit the side of the net. He then turned around and two handed me across my ankle and told me to chill out. I will note he was probably the best player there.

I have experienced similar situations about a dozen times over the last year. I never purposely hit anyone and try to avoid all contact, but it happens sometimes. Most of the time no contact is made and some forwards act like I am just supposed to let them walk in. Then get upset when I don't let them. Am I in the wrong here? Should I back off? A lot of the games me going 100% still puts me below average for the skate.

Edit to add. The shoulder contact was very minor. Not likely anyone was going to fall from it. Some of you seem to think it was dangerous play. It was not remotely dangerous. I'd like to reiterate that he skated into me. Also the guy running it saw it and asked if I was OK and told the other to knock it off.

I'd also add this wasn't a ref. But I play in multiple reffed leagues only get penalties about 1 every 20 games and never for things like my example. Only for accidental trips or hooks

Has anyone run into a guy in your beer league who is a "jerk" no so friendly with you and also "yells" at you a bit when you fuck up?
Our league is a bit different. You are placed on a team but most people don't show up. (I don't know why you pay the money to be in the league and never show up but whatever.) I feel this guy's thinks I can play better (I need to slow down and survey the play. Instead of get the puck and pass or shoot right away). I am practicing and thinking about my game and get better each week. But the way this dude talks to me makes me so fucking angry to the point I daydream about slashing his tires. But the more I think about it, the more I see he's just a shitty "coach" and possibly trying to somehow in his weird way make me a better player.

I’m curious if anyone has tips on how to get sneakier and more deceptive when I’m carrying the puck and want to get around defenders?

I’ve gotten to be pretty fast and can get around people with just speed a lot of times. I’ll just move the puck to the side that’s away from the defender and try to blaze by. However, this doesn’t work if they have a second person on me, or if I’m playing up a level.

I’ve noticed some players are very sneaky and can mislead other players about where they are going, faking them out and sneaking by. I’d love to be able to do that and add some more finesse to my game. I’d also like to get sneakier with the goalie.

Any tips?

I am a late forties beer league player skating on 5 year old vapor 3x skates. I got back into hockey about 6 years ago when my son started playing travel. I played as a kid, through high school and some college club. Back when I played I just had the guy/kid at the rink run them through the sharpener and didnt care to pay attention to whether it was being done right. So my steel looked heavily rockered, like a banana lol. But i was used to that and always felt like i could accelerate fast, be pretty agile and make quick stops and starts. Fast forward to 5 years ago and I bought the vapors and instantly it felt like there was just “too much” steel and it was getting in the way. I still feel like that from time to time now even though I have been on them for 5 yrs.

With that in mind I have been reading about profiling and watching some youtube videos. Does anyone have any thoughts on what type of profile I could try based on my concerns above?

Im 5’10”, 155, play forward, and currently use a 9/16” hollow.

Can someone explain the logic of why, during confrontations where there is pushing and shoving, some of you think you'll get away with spearing someone in the nuts?

Everyone has to work the next day. Last night were the 4th and 5th incidents in 2 days.

I will preface this by saying I am rather new to the sport. Been hammering it hard since about late November of last year. I was told about superfeet and got a pair when I got my new skates(CCM Jetspeed FT6 pro). I felt a big difference with being able to drive my power into my edges. Good ripping sounds on the inside edges which was awesome, i also felt pitched forward more. This might be from my ellipse profile as well. So my forward skating has been going well and improving at a good rate. But when I go to my backwards skating, i miss my edges. To explain it further, it feels like my edges from the balls of my feet to the toes don’t grab the ice. They shave the ice or chip it. I have tried really leaning into it and different body positions but start to get squirely if i try too hard. I know for you folks this seems like a no brainer and probably something obvious but really hoping you can shed some light. I really like how superfeet(pro carbon hockey)has helped my forward skating but unfortunately has taken away my ability to really crank down on my backwards skating(which was something I could do well in my 20’s). Appreciate it🙂

Update Edit: Just went to free skate. Found my original insoles from CCM and swapped them. Massive difference. Backwards crossovers are back on the menu!!! Appreciate all the help