Quote:
Originally Posted by kev87lads
(Post 15011798)
So I posted this in the old thread back on March 25.
UPDATE: So we probably have about 30 games or so under our belt between a spring/summer season and now our ongoing fall/winter season.
I am having a BLAST! We do stink, because as I mentioned, a bunch of us are playing ice for the first time. We've sprinkled some good players in and get some decent subs when necessary. I think we finished with one win in that summer season in 12 games or so. And we have 1 win in 11 games (1 OT loss!) so far this season.
As for me personally. I'm Mr. Utility on the team since I have one of the better hockey senses on where to be defensively. So it kind of stinks to not have a set position and keep working on getting better at one thing. But I like the badge of being a responsible one that the others can depend on. So I've rotated every position except for 'tender.
My skating continues to improve but for whatever reason, and this makes 0 sense since I don't mind going down to block shots and things like that, I still haven't taught myself how to stop properly. It's not like I should be afraid of falling since I have all of the gear on and because of the aforementioned. But I still need to get over that mental hurdle.
I've potted 6 goals in 11 games during this current season which ties for the team lead! I'm all about team, but I'll take that stat as a sign of I'm getting better.
So fun hanging with the guys every 6-10 days. Good times.
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Kev, I've been meaning to reply to this for a while. In essence, what you're experiencing and documenting for us (thanks for doing so!) epitomizes and embodies everything that makes hockey beyond great. The camaraderie, selflessness, and playing for sheer love of the game that you are talking about is a very timely and needed reminder of why we love hockey, especially as we sometimes lose ourselves in the mire of suspensions and Ovechkin's terrible two-way play. Keep playing for those very reasons, and PLEASE keep telling us about your experiences. Hearing them is both refreshing and nostalgic, at least for me. Also, I wholeheartedly agree with everything Chris replied to you earlier. One thing he and I share is a pretty pure, basic love for the sport, and it appears you're developing that as well.
Please, please, PLEASE take advantage of your opportunity to be the utility guy. Continue to learn everything you can about every position and approach each one with vigor. Over time, you'll settle into a position that you will prefer (I sense a strong amount of the defensive force in you -- and it pleases me!), but the knowledge of other positions will be far from wasted as you will have a better understanding of what other players - both opponents and teammates - are doing around you. If [when] you decide on being a full-time defenseman, you'll know where to expect your center as he backchecks, where your wingers will be for the breakout pass, etc. Hell, suiting up a few games as 'tender (if you're team will let you!) couldn't hurt... You'll have a much better idea for how to play defense and help him out after you've seen it from his side. Keep it up, and keep laying down in front of shots. It's the most noble of all hockey acts, IMO.
As for stopping, Chris has given plenty of good advice, as he is akin to doing. If there's anything I could add, it would be my own personal experience: As a wee lad, I had trouble learning to stop as well, and I was getting pretty frustrated with myself. Noticing this, my incredible coach took me aside and taught me in about 15 minutes. Here's what he did:
1 - Stood facing me on the ice with a stick held horizontally between us. We both grasped the stick with both hands.
2- He skated backwards, pulling me along and instructing me not to skate, just glide and let myself be pulled.
3 - At fairly quick intervals he'd say, "STOP!", and I would turn my skates into the stopping position while he continued pulling. The goal being to stop his backward motion by my stopping. After I came to a stop, he would start skating again and repeat the process over and over.
We did this down the length of the ice and back again, and after that, I could stop perfectly. Give it a shot with one of your teammates if you want! :thumbsup
Keep it up, my friend!
