So guys, what is your hockey history?  Did you play as a teen? 20's? 30's?  When and how did you start?  How did you get into Beer League, and specifically, your team? 

Didn't start following hockey until I was about 15 during the 1970-71 season. Football and baseball were always my favorite sports. Started playing floor hockey and street hockey in PE class and w/my friends at the park. I organized a county floor hockey league  in the late 80's that ran for a few yrs. I played slo pitch softball as my adult sport. At 35   a friend of mine who played goal suggested I try playing goal. He sold me most of his old equipment to get me started and I played  in a low level adult pickup group. That was it. I was hooked. Stopped playing softball and played summer hockey and throughout the yr. I am now 53 and have been playing for 18 yrs now. I run a team called The Home Plate Cafe Beer Kings. We go to a tournament every April and this yr was our 17th straight trip.

Paul

started at age 6...

scored 5 goals in my first game....

my grandpa says to me....." you're a natural goal scorer....but your a weak skater...."

fast forward to my rookie camp with the Med hat tigers......they cut me as a 16 year old.....because

" you have great hands....but your a weak skater"

Shocker

The only hockey I'd ever seen before we came to Canada was late night snippets from the Olympics - weird organ music and totally incomprehensible rules.  The boys started to play and always seemed to be on teams with the same kids, so the mammas got friendly and we used to complain about doing all the driving while the kids had all the fun - so one of the dads said he could get us cheap ice and would coach us if we wanted to play.

Cheap ice turned out to be 6:30 am on a Sunday morning!  So we started with a couple of figure skaters, one ringette player and 10 women who had never been on skates - somehow it all worked out and 10 years later I am still loving it..!

Shocker:

fast forward to my rookie camp with the Med hat tigers......they cut me as a 16 year old

No wonder they were shite for so many years....

I began skating when I was 3, but my first hockey experience wasn't until I was 6.  My dad and I were at the local rink where an 8 and under practice was going on and for some reason they thought it might be a good idea to stick me in one of the nets (no skates or pads - just a snowmobile suit!).  I can remember getting run over by some eight year old who crashed in on me trying to score.  I kept the puck out but decided to join the team as a forward rather than a goaltender.  I played every winter until I was 15 but never played any higher than the local level.  I started playing hockey again once I got in my mid twenties and realized how much I love this game.  I'd actually forgotten for a while I think...

Actually WILDWON.....when i went to Med hat rookie camp...they won back too back Memorial Cups ...great teams

makes me feel better....

Bo

 Indeed - you must have been up against some pretty hot players...however they didn't do a lot til 2004 after that!

Played out until I was ten.  The regular goalie didn't show up, so I went in.  They never let him play again.  Won top goalie in Tiny Mite, but by the end of Pee Wee, dad couldn't afford the gear. So, that was the end.  When I was 28, or so, I decided I wanted to be a goalie again.  So, I began buying gear and started picking up games with whoever would let me play.  I studied the game and learned all I could.  Even figured out the butterfly slide.

When my knees buckle, that's when I'll stop playing.

Wes 

Wes (Producer):

  Even figured out the butterfly slide.

Wes 

 Mine is weak. Wish I could get it down pat. Not enough power on push off. What was your secret Wes?

Paulie

paulsmachetti:

Wes (Producer):

  Even figured out the butterfly slide.

Wes 

 Mine is weak. Wish I could get it down pat. Not enough power on push off. What was your secret Wes?

Paulie

Just being able to practice was all it took.  I'm not going post to post, but if I'm pushing off, I'm at least covering the front of the net so I don't have to stack my pads.

Just being able to practice was all it took.  I'm not going post to post, but if I'm pushing off, I'm at least covering the front of the net so I don't have to stack my pads.

I can't seem to catch enough of an edge to get a strong push.

Paul

 You just have to keep your pushing leg vertical to get a good push early.  If you wait to push (like if you were skiing or skating), you'll risk slipping out at the end.  I'm no expert, but I have coached Atom players to some success.  Tony, get your ass in here and offer some advice or I'll cut your scenes back.  And I'll add that scene with you and the alter boy.

Wes. 

Thanks Wes. I'll work on it in summer hockey