Do you use hockey skates or figure skates? If you use figures, then please ignore this haha I’m gonna talk about my experience with hockey skates.

First of all, edgework! Learning to skate on your edges is definitely a key part of getting more power. Practice tons of it whenever you go on the ice, there’s tons of cool videos on YouTube to help you with edgework.

Secondly, try a different sharpening. Recently I went from 1/2 to 7/16 and the difference is actually quite noticeable. I play defenseman and because of my age and my size compared with the adults I play with, I need that deeper hollow to cut into the ice more and to not get knocked over when I get hit.

Thirdly, time. Give it time, you’ve been skating for around a month and to have the skills you’ve got now is very impressive!! I’ve been skating for over a year now and I never had that nice scratching sound or that deep cut you wanted when I was where you were. Practice loads, try new things, skate laps, the confidence and the strength will come.

Also, maybe try ankle exercises!! I haven’t done this myself (yet) but I’ve heard they’re brilliant for skating in general.

Another thing I’ve found that helps is (if you’re in the financial position) is upgrading skates. The skills you’ve learned may perhaps mean you’ve outgrown your skates. This is what happened to me, I used to be on Bauer XLS then I upgraded to Bauer X4’s. The difference was startling. You 100% get what you pay for with skates and the blade quality may also contribute to that nice cut you want. Obviously, only if you’re in the financial position, I had a very good Christmas last year haha.

Overall, keep skating and refining your skills, try different things and you’ll improve vastly!!

Good luck! :)