General Sports Question: Too late for me to go back to hockey?

[CatalystiCam]

Hey, just trying to get some opinions here, because I want to know. This can be a general question to pretty much any sport, so don't think that because it's about hockey, that your opinion doesn't matter.

So, I'm not really looking to go back competitively, but I really love the sport as of late. I played hockey when I was 6-12 years old, and haven't since other than for Gym back in Grade 9, and the odd street-hockey here and there. I don't think I really understood it being as young as I was, and thus didn't appreciate it, plus back then it was Video Games were my priority, now I'd really like to be out doing more, and hockey is really one thing I really want to do.

My folks keep telling me it's too late, I can't skate, and all this stuff, when really I can skate. I've been skating this year, and I'm fine. I think they just say that because they don't want to deal with the hectic schedules and equipment involved with hockey. Understandably so.

Thing is, I'd like to play competitive, but I'd like to be in a fun league for now which is available and see how I do. I'd need equipment... well some equipment. Which I can save up for on my own, and hey I'm 16. I should be driving by this time next year. this fun league wouldn't be all that demanding of time, and is cheap as far as I know, maybe even free? Need to look into it more lol.

TL;DR

-General Question
-Played hockey from ages 6-12
-haven't played since, other than for gym or for fun
-understand and love the sport now, and really want to play
-folks say it's too late I'm too old, even though I can play decent
-Just looking to be in the fun league for now (ages 14-30 I think)

So opinions? You really think it's worth it to save up for some equipment and stuff? I think so, but I'd like more thoughts. Thanks

[warghoul]

Dude your only 16. 12 was not that long ago how much could you forget in 4 years.
Go do what you love and don't ask silly questions.

[CatalystiCam]

Granted I didn't know much of anything or what I was doing when I was that young, and it was outdoor, so maybe 24 games a year and 24 practices :P

It definitely isn't happening this year, but you know if I can skate a bunch this year and get better at it again since it's been a while, I think I could do a fun-league this time next year, and do decent.

[elrod21]

If you really love it then you should do it. I know adults who still play for fun in beer leagues. Why not you?

[Dudebro]

Perhaps your parents just didn't want you getting to involved in a sport that might cause you to lose teeth?

[Seahawk]

Old people set up bowling leagues and show up and handle heavy bowling balls despite their age. You're young, you should follow your interests while you can.

[Slime Slayer]

It's too late for you to play in the NHL if that's what your asking. Of course anything is possible.

[CatalystiCam]

Technically it's not too late for me to play in the NHL :P 16-19 is the age for the prospects. It's just highly unlikely, but I wouldn't complain if I somehow miraculously did that well haha :P

@Seahawk, I am in bowling Coincidentally lol.

@DB, Definitely not it. More so the cost of equipment, and the driving they'd have to do, which they won't soon enough anyways.

[fungusman]

"Do what you want because you can't if you don't - The Hives"
- fungusman

[bearhawk72]

Technically it's not too late for me to play in the NHL :P 16-19 is the age for the prospects. It's just highly unlikely, but I wouldn't complain if I somehow miraculously did that well haha :P

@Seahawk, I am in bowling Coincidentally lol.

@DB, Definitely not it. More so the cost of equipment, and the driving they'd have to do, which they won't soon enough anyways.
Can't you find a rec league for your age group? Something like 1 game a week and a couple practices all at the same rink?

[CrispyChicken]

You're definitely not too old lol.

[CatalystiCam]

Can't you find a rec league for your age group? Something like 1 game a week and a couple practices all at the same rink?

My brother is in one, and is what got me thinking. It's somewhat of a beer league, but I say somewhat because there is the odd few 16/17/18 year old's that play but don't drink. I'm sure there is something more for say 12-18 year old's though. might be more ideal for next year.

Definitely something I want to do just for fun, maybe competitive throughout my adulthood as well.

[Demon-Mask]

You're not too old.
Besides, you're Canadian, isn't playing hockey required to graduate high school?:p

[Dudebro]

Definitely not it.
I was being cheeky about the teeth thing but I really think they might be at least a little concerned about you getting into a sport that could get you hurt. It's not unusual at all for most parents. I notice they don't mind if you bowl, most you'll do is break a finger or a toe.

[CatalystiCam]

Well I don't think that's it, obviously they don't want me getting hurt, but I know my parents, they aren't really going to factor that in as a major concern.

[fungusman]

Just do it man

[jim5cents]

Yeah, go play.

odd few 16/17/18 year old's that play but don't drink.

I thought the drinking age in Canada was 9 or something.

[fungusman]

Yeah, go play.
I thought the drinking age in Canada was 9 or something.

It's 12.

[Slime Slayer]

It's 12.
Quebec only, rest of the country is 13.

[KATZ]

13?!? holy crap... anyways.. you should do it cam, what do really have to lose?

[warghoul]

13?!? holy crap
It's sarcasm

[CatalystiCam]

haha katz :P It's 19, and 18 in the rest of the country. Doesn't matter to me though, don't drink, but yes I have and don't care for it. Don't need it to have fun :)

Irrelevant though lol. Thanks katz, and Jim, I plan for it. Being able to get a job would help pay for equipment though...

Think first thing is first; Get skates so I can practice my skating for the rest of this year. To go skate at the rink would be only 2 or 3 bucks actually if I had my own skates that is. 5 extra for skate rentals if I remember right, so having my own skates may cost 70-100 bucks for decent ones, but it would be worth it for better skates and not paying that rental. Still wish I had Edmonton for that one reason that there was outdoor rinks that were free, but whatever.

[CatalystiCam]

Bump!

Took my first step today, well sort of a few over the week, and sort of not towards ice hockey just yet, but hear me out.

So my friends were talking about how my high school held a tournament last year that went for months for floor/street hockey. 4 on 4, 2 periods every lunch for teams of 5-8 (including goalie). My friends and I are going to start practicing tomorrow hopefully after school, and just generally going to play a lot more street hockey with them.

So, I bought myself a Hockey stick for street hockey today, it's fairly nice wooden stick, Carbon fibre blade off my friends recommendation. I like the stick a lot. It was one of only a few that were my size, but I'm actually lucky I found a god one for so cheap. Been taking it home today, and stick handling a bit, taking some shots at targets. Turns out, I feel like a natural, I'm more accurate than I would have believed after all this time, and I can stick handle the ball pretty well(since it's street, no puck, but not much difference when it comes down to it later on).

thoroughly impressed right now. I'll let you all know how practice games go and stuff. Were looking to have someone be a goalie as well, so I'm trying that out tomorrow if all goes well with weather and whatnot (knock on wood)

Edit: The stick I bought probably won't be used for ice hockey. Best to keep street hockey sticks and ice hockey sticks separate.

[warghoul]

Good luck Cam! This reminds me of when me and my buddies used to watch Mighty Ducks all the time and would play floor hockey in my friends hay barn. Make sure to practice the triple deke and knuckle puck. they are key elements to all hockey games. Or so Disney tells me.

[samejamesbond]

Nice Cam, with enough practice I'm sure you'll do fine. I haven't played
floor hockey since high school, when I won a tournament.

[CatalystiCam]

Thanks guys, just about to leave, and walk onto my bus with a hockey stick... No big deal haha.

[bearhawk72]

Thanks guys, just about to leave, and walk onto my bus with a hockey stick... No big deal haha.

You live in Canada, I think it'd be more uncommon to get on the bus without a hockey stick in tow:p

[CatalystiCam]

I live in a rainy area, and go to an arts school... So, kind of uncommon, but meh. Wasn't bad.

Played at lunch and after school. Shaking the cobwebs mostly at this point. Found my stick is all wood, and now I'm worried about ti grinding down on the concrete. as for my game, I did well for someone that hasn't played in 4 years. My accuracy was pretty good, and I could set up good tips, one times and even got some wrap-arounds. We didn't have anyone playing in net until after school though.

[CatalystiCam]

Bump.

Figured I'd update this to say I've joined an official league. Not Ice hockey yet, but it's actually a pretty big Ball hockey league. Basically

-4 on 4
-Two 20-35 game seasons in a year + Playoffs
-Roughly 10 teams of 13-20
-Ages 16-infinite
-2 games a night, twice a week
-Two 25 minute periods per game
-Hitting and whatnot is generally not allowed, but a lot is let go

Anyways, tonight was great. Unfortunately it's still just drop in, as it's summer. First season starts up in Septemberish. Because it was summer, about 10 of us showed up (2 of those 10 being goalies). So yeah, 2 straight hours on every shift pretty much xD (was 3 on 3 as a result).

The awesomeness! I got 4 goals, and 2 assists, can't complain, but I definitely won't expect it every night. I think my team got 12ish goals as an overall. This was over 2 games though in 2 hours.

People were pretty cool, age varied greatly, which is probably a good thing to get a mix. Friendly enough guys, not a competitive league really, kinda is, but not right now. Anyways, it was a good time for sure! I'm also exhausted from 2 straight hours of this. xD

[samejamesbond]

Nice work Cam, what's the name of your team?

[Dudebro]

It's too late for you to play hockey cam, it's severely cutting into your minecraft and shadowrun time.

[CatalystiCam]

Nice work Cam, what's the name of your team?

No teams yet, just drop-in like I said. League begins in september. Couple of more drop-in days before then, but I will likely miss them due to being at the lake. Thanks though! :D

It's too late for you to play hockey cam, it's severely cutting into your minecraft and shadowrun time.

Haha, you post this right as I quit Shadowrun from tiredness haha.

It's true though, I can barely move my legs, arms are a bit sore, actually got a couple of welts from blocked shots (I forgot to mention), and I'm just tired. xD Not overweight... Far from it, but definitely need to get back into shape, and not play 2 hours straight xD So I won't be too hard on myself over that since it was 2 hours straight. Everyone was tired from it. I'll get used to it, as the season goes on.