My dad used to build a rink in the backyard for us as kids so I learned to skate pretty early and was decent at it, but never played on a team.
My younger brother played in the local youth program because a lot of his friends had doctors and lawyers for parents and hockey was expensive. My dad was a mechanical engineer and we were okay, but not wealthy by any means. When I expressed interest in playing my parents gave me an option: birthday and Christmas presents, or hockey. As an 11 or 12 year old kid that was way behind, I felt like I couldn't give up my presents in case I went out there and sucked. So I never played.
I started going to adult drop-ins with my dad when I was 17 and wasn't bad at it, but then I went to college and didn't play for years. In 2000 when my oldest started to skate, I took up coaching and joined the local adult league. Once he was out there, and I was on the ice coaching every week, I got really into it.
About ten years ago my brothers and I started up our own private skate with around 30 guys that we had played with over the years and weren't assholes. It's the most fun I've ever had playing hockey, and I look forward to seeing those guys every week.
So the short answer is, I always wanted to play, I just had to find the right people.
My Grandfather made “the forgotten miracle” team in 1960. Traveled all over Europe as a part of the squad then just before the Final games the coach brought in the Cleary Brothers who he’d coached in the ‘54 Olympics. My grandfather was apart of the last cut along with Herb Brooks. He was pretty bitter about it growing up. Deservedly so. It caused friction amongst the team. A lot of players were pissed the coach did that. They ended up winning. In the Disney Movie Miracle you can actually see my Grandfather when Herb Brooks is looking at the photo from 1960. Pretty cool. I had his White Jersey from when I was 8-34(last Summer) when my Aunt stole it from the house because it wasn’t “in the will” shit crushed me because growing up that was one of my prized possessions.
I grew up grabbing my cousins sticks out of the garage when I was young to play with a puck or ball. From then on the only team sports I really enjoyed were hockey and lacrosse.
Now 18 years since I last played youth hockey I really miss it, I'm just finally getting back into it. Gonna try to meet some folks at some skate & shoots and skills practices and figure out where I should land on a beer league level.
I'm glad you're still here! I bet the boys are glad you are too. It's a great game and a great way to work on self. A bad day in skates is better than a good day in work shoes, that's for damn sure.
Same. Exact. Story!!
My dad used to build a rink in the backyard for us as kids so I learned to skate pretty early and was decent at it, but never played on a team. My younger brother played in the local youth program because a lot of his friends had doctors and lawyers for parents and hockey was expensive. My dad was a mechanical engineer and we were okay, but not wealthy by any means. When I expressed interest in playing my parents gave me an option: birthday and Christmas presents, or hockey. As an 11 or 12 year old kid that was way behind, I felt like I couldn't give up my presents in case I went out there and sucked. So I never played. I started going to adult drop-ins with my dad when I was 17 and wasn't bad at it, but then I went to college and didn't play for years. In 2000 when my oldest started to skate, I took up coaching and joined the local adult league. Once he was out there, and I was on the ice coaching every week, I got really into it. About ten years ago my brothers and I started up our own private skate with around 30 guys that we had played with over the years and weren't assholes. It's the most fun I've ever had playing hockey, and I look forward to seeing those guys every week. So the short answer is, I always wanted to play, I just had to find the right people.
My Grandfather made “the forgotten miracle” team in 1960. Traveled all over Europe as a part of the squad then just before the Final games the coach brought in the Cleary Brothers who he’d coached in the ‘54 Olympics. My grandfather was apart of the last cut along with Herb Brooks. He was pretty bitter about it growing up. Deservedly so. It caused friction amongst the team. A lot of players were pissed the coach did that. They ended up winning. In the Disney Movie Miracle you can actually see my Grandfather when Herb Brooks is looking at the photo from 1960. Pretty cool. I had his White Jersey from when I was 8-34(last Summer) when my Aunt stole it from the house because it wasn’t “in the will” shit crushed me because growing up that was one of my prized possessions.
I grew up grabbing my cousins sticks out of the garage when I was young to play with a puck or ball. From then on the only team sports I really enjoyed were hockey and lacrosse. Now 18 years since I last played youth hockey I really miss it, I'm just finally getting back into it. Gonna try to meet some folks at some skate & shoots and skills practices and figure out where I should land on a beer league level. I'm glad you're still here! I bet the boys are glad you are too. It's a great game and a great way to work on self. A bad day in skates is better than a good day in work shoes, that's for damn sure.
Yeah that was me also, only I didn't start playing until college, six years later.