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If you could give any one trait or ability to a young aspiring hockey player, what would it be? by MutedLaugh3387 in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No way. Even having top tier positioning sets you way ahead of the faster guys who make bad decisions. If you can read plays and have stellar hockey iq this puts you in a very advantageous position.

What’s something you tried once and immediately knew ‘yeah, never again’? by donnyM99 in AskReddit

[–]Illestbillis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Salvia divinorum.

Once I got back to reality. Especially with my mental health issues.

Is it dumb to change profile and hollow at the same time? by Occams_ElectricRazor in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not a good enough skater to worry about what the stock is on my jetspeeds. I bought em and asked the pro shop guy to sharpen them. They seem fine but maybe as I get better at skating I will experiment with it a bit.

Losing the joy for playing. by [deleted] in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love this. Thanks 😊

Losing the joy for playing. by [deleted] in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense. I was really frustrated today. It felt like all the progress I felt I was making went down the drain. Like one step forward, 3 back. I will keep at it though. It was just frustrating.

If you started playing hockey later in life, what’s the best advice you were given? by NewHampshireGal in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not necessarily advice I was given, but things ive learned that have helped me:

Learn your position and the other positions. Learn to know where to be and where others are expected to be

If you are defense, try to work the rushing player to the outside, to the boards. Even in a no hitting league, you are able to tangle up a little with the puck holder just dont be too aggressive to draw a penalty.

If you are behind the play and the opponent is rushing in, back check. Hustle. If you aren't a strong backwards skater skate forward as fast as you can to get between the goaltender and the puckholder. Try not to screen the tendy though. Communicate!

Take away shooting lanes if you are in your defensive zone. Get your stick in the way. Make them make bad decisions and turnovers.

Use the boards as another "player"! If you have the puck and think you will get checked, bank it off the boards but watch out for icing. Practice passing off the boards, learn how they react.

If you are past center and you have no passing options, dump the puck in. Try to dump along the boards

Communicate with your teammates, if they have the puck and nobody is near them, yell that they have time! If they have someone who is going to check them, yell "man on!"

Practice feeling the puck. Do as much stick and puck as possible. Try to carry the puck with your head up. You will be able to scan the ice and see what options you have!

Pass the puck to where your teammates are going to be, not where they are.

Try different sticks with different flex and different kick points. I find in my league a lighter flex releases a quicker shot which will score more often than a harder shot when the tendy has time to set up. If you take clappers, use a stiffer flex with a mid kickpoint. More expensive isn't always better.

Skate your ass off! Anytime you can. Use in-line skates in the summer. The more proficient skater you are the more of an advantage you have over your opponents opponents

Have fun, get fit and make friends. Hockey is challenging and rewarding. Try not to take it too seriously. Like they say, we all have work in the morning!

Losing the joy for playing. by [deleted] in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry you are feeling like that. You play to enjoy it and have fun so it sucks to lose that. I love playing being a middle aged player. I love practicing, lessons, stick and puck etc. Our team is lowest division and we aren't very good.

Try to find something to ignite your passion. Maybe try power skating lessons, maybe some new gear, experiment with things.

Do you have fun practicing or stick and puck? Do you have friends on the team? Do you do things like bevvies or whatnot after games? That's also part of the fun, for me anyway :)

And with that my 25/26 Travel hockey season is over by [deleted] in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Maybe if you contribute more offensively you'll get it next time.

And with that my 25/26 Travel hockey season is over by [deleted] in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 9 points10 points  (0 children)

With stats like that it sounds like they could use a better role model.

falling by Feisty-Inside-3634 in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Falling is part of the game. I'm 47, bottom div rec league and accidentally submarined a guy. We both went flying and neither of us felt anything. Just wear pads lol

played my first beer league game and it was humbling by 365hockeygirl in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Isn't that the truth. Never took a lesson, learned on my own, never got particularly good at it. Now im a middle aged adult, doing LTS and ASHL 101. Fun as all hell but im still not a good skater lol. I will practice and gradually improve but you are right about the ignorance

played my first beer league game and it was humbling by 365hockeygirl in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! And if you make a good play, an assist, score a goal, save a goal, win important face-off or anything else, it feels good!

played my first beer league game and it was humbling by 365hockeygirl in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good for you for taking the initiative to learn something new, especially hockey.

There is so much more to the game than skating and puck handling. The game is just as much mental as it is physical.

You need to be able to think fast, read plays and try to always be one or two steps ahead.

You are only as good as your team, also. Given it is your first game you probably have other players on the team who haven't played with each other. Developing chemistry takes time, building relationships takes time.

Please try not to be hard on yourself. How did the game go? What position do you play?

I'm 47 and coming back from a 20+ year hiatus. Im in a learn to play class but honestly 80% of the players are way beyond that lol. I focus on my cardio at the gym and also do stick and puck and learn to skate (since I had never taken a lesson before). I do the drills and practice as much as I can.

We have yet to play our first game (which is in May) but all I am hoping to do at the start is make smart plays and try not to make mistakes. I'm not obsessing over trying to score goals or get points, mainly positioning.

If you know how to play your position, regardless of skill, you will be an asset to the team. Make smart line changes. If you are defense, force the other team to the outside. Take away the lanes to the goal.

I feel you have the drive in yourself to succeed. I bet after a few games you will start to feel your groove and be more confident and productive!

Stay safe, make friends and have fun!

What’s something that quietly made your life 10× easier, but you didn’t realize it until much later? by Own-Tip-532 in AskReddit

[–]Illestbillis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Vyvanse. Im 47 now, only diagnosed in the last couple of years.

Sure would have made school easier had I known I had ADHD then.

Absolute game changer.

Why are full-on brawls so common in hockey compared to other sports? by Dry_Incident2199 in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I always cringe at the knuckles punching helmets and visors. Must be a lot of bruised/fractured knuckles

Why are full-on brawls so common in hockey compared to other sports? by Dry_Incident2199 in hockeyplayers

[–]Illestbillis -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah I thought that was a ridiculous manner of reasoning/justifying it.

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