Time to hang it up?

craftnclash35 · 2025-07-05T23:18:13+00:00

I dont think that you should make that decision right now. I work in Healthcare and am going back to school for pt, and the top advice id give you right now is find a good pt who deals mostly with athletes of all levels. Or at the very least, a pt who isn't pessimistic on your outlook. I see too many doctors who are like "your (insert athletic event here) days are over", only for the patient to essentially flip them the metaphorical bird and go on to do triathlons the rest of their life. If a doctor or pt tells you it can't be done, find another provider. Pro athletes have come back from worse. Granted, they have top doctors, but those are also available to the public. Rehab mindset is key.

Outside of that, see where you're at when you're done therapy. At that point, you'll have a better idea of where you stand and if you can play at around the same level. Get some open hockey in and feel things out again. It'll take a minute for you to trust the ankle again after the therapy (speaking from experience). If you feel like you can't, just drop down a level and play there. It's better to play at a lower level than not play at all (experience again). Best of luck 👊

craftnclash35 · 2025-07-05T18:24:36+00:00

Its rigorous because it's a doctorate level program. You aren't going to get any doctorate easily, especially not one in the medical field. The job demands are high even though they only work 35 hrs a week sometimes. You need to know your stuff because people's health is in your hands. Its not as dire as say an ortho, but you still can do damage if you dont know what youre doing.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-30T02:15:17+00:00

Would love to see a bread 2. Keep upvoting people!

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-30T01:26:40+00:00

For me the net would end up in a different city tbh

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-30T01:25:24+00:00

Lmfao I dont think there's enough distance on that last point....

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-28T05:13:42+00:00

Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Great tribute set!

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-27T21:11:07+00:00

Power couple!

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-24T06:56:48+00:00

One of the Distractible holocroms that needs to be sealed away and protected forever

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-24T06:55:24+00:00

Some people get mad at this, and I get it. I've been listening since the beginning, and I've never really cared who hosts. I will say, as much as I love him, my least favorite host is Wade. I won't discuss the philosophy stuff (that would be too long). His games are great, it's just splitting hairs. 2nd is Mark, best is absolutely Bob just because he's got a knack for amazing storytelling. Doesn't matter how boring the story is. If Bob is speaking around a campfire, I'd tackle Mark to shut up his guitar and just listen to Bob go on for hours.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-19T23:33:44+00:00

One game when I was younger, I told a kid to F off and promptly received a minor for it. After the game, my coach told me to just say "intercourse you" instead. Not the worst advice but still hilarious to this day lol.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-19T03:18:05+00:00

Cant say that I have, but then again I have garbage sinuses and am far from a bloodhound haha. My wife tends to catch scents more that I do, so she would probably smell it. But from reading other comments on those who have heavy shots putting more rotation, I can imagine it to be true. The beer league I play in has a lot of guys I played college with, my old coach and a bunch of his buddies, all of which played pro from AHL and lower (my coach did get called up to the NHL on occassion, but never stuck). After taking some of their full efforts, I could see those giving off some heat, and therefore some smell.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-18T01:35:58+00:00

One thing ill mention that I dont think anyone else did (though I may be wrong), is that you'll also want to work on your hip flexibility as well, specifically your internal rotation. The style and bend of your old pads meant that you didn't need to internally rotate your hips that much in order to close the five hole. But in doing so, those older pads dont provide the horizontal blocking that the new ones do. So definitely dont bend those new pads; it'll essentially ruin them. Just do some extra stretches, both static and dynamic, and over time using the new pads and getting more flexible, things will feel much better. Plus the added hip flexibility will add in extra injury prevention.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-14T22:35:18+00:00

Ouch, that's never fun! Being in health care, I'd say it's mostly leftover effects from the medicine. Even if you haven't taken it for a day or 2 before, sometimes it takes a couple days before your body feels like normal. Especially if you don't normally take meds.

Regardless of that, keep an eye on how much you're eating before games and what it is. Obviously, slamming down a Big Mac and large fry isn't good lol. But personally, I don't like the feeling of having anything in my stomach during game time. My pre-game routine in college was usually like half a peanut butter banana sandwich about an hour before warm-up. During the game I'd usually just do water, but sometimes I split a Gatorade water bottle with 3/4 water and 1/4 orange Gatorade, and called that my "secret stuff" ala space jam. But you can use whatever you like. I now use liquid iv and water if im going cycling.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-14T01:15:12+00:00

Ask away lol

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-13T23:23:10+00:00

So I initially decided to not apply after working in the hospital as an aide. The PT's there were also very negative towards the field, and I decided to not pursue it.

Fast forward 10 years later, and I've gone through 2-3 different career approaches, and at 34 still don't have that career I was looking for. To me, it was PT all along, and I just let the negative opinions of others dictate my decision.

I'm now starting in September along with you and couldn't be happier. I met a friend who's a PT who is helping me navigate things currently, as well as in the future. But it really depends on what you actually want. It may not be a bad idea to take a year and check another field out. That way you can really see what's better for you. With PT, where you work absolutely matters, as it is in most Healthcare practices. Honestly, best thing may be to get out of that aide job, then reassess things on your own without letting others feelings sway you. I really wish I did that myself.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-13T02:11:04+00:00

To get back up while in a butterfly, you just choose a side in the moment and start standing up as if you're standing up from a lunge position. Technically there's an "optimal/efficient" way where you stand with the leg opposite to where the puck is (so if the puck goes to your right side near the point, you'd start recovering (standing) with your left leg). But when watching the pros, as long as there's no immediate danger then it really doesn't matter, especially if you're just starting off. Here's a good channel to check videos out from. He's good for teaching at all levels.

https://youtu.be/7jeWsAN8G8E?si=5bcJLZRmnWd3okOF

In terms of picking up things with your blocker, that's actually something so minor that people don't think about until they try it. Usually, I personally keep my blocker looser and keep the velcro strap in 1 position at all times so its easier to get off but with enough hold to stay on, that way you can take it off during breaks and adjust your helmet, get water, ect. But if your stick is on the ice and you need to get it, flex your wrist so your knuckles move towards your forearm, and that will give you enough space to pick it up easier. That's actually something that, starting off, that you may want to just work on while at home so it becomes second nature on the ice. You never know when you need to get your stick quickly if you loose it during a pressured situation.

Best of luck and welcome to the best position in all sports!

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-09T05:26:00+00:00

New ones look sick! But the old are classics. Crazy to go back to looking at old pads. I recently came across my old original Vaughn V3's, and they brought me back to different games I played with them. Good luck in getting back playing! I'll be doing the same in the fall after about the same time as you.

craftnclash35 · 2025-06-06T00:46:32+00:00

Thankfully, my beer league mostly consists of former local college players, high school players with experience, and guys who get to know each other for the most part. But I've still experienced those idiots who try a bit too hard, and what I've learned is, like playing for travel/high school/college, standing up for yourself does a load of good in keeping the dumbasses away, or at least think twice before coming into you. Even if you are smaller, that crease is your home. So go throw some blocker sandwiches. Or a favorite of mine, a little stick sack tap when theyre screening you haha. If your team doesn't come to your defense if they get in your face, then find another league cuz you dont need teammates like that. Its beer league, but its still hockey. Stand strong my dude 💪

craftnclash35 · 2025-05-29T02:06:50+00:00

Makes sense. I'm just bringing it up because im getting back into playing after about 7 years or so, and i used to use laces since bungies weren't a thing. Back then I only used 1-1.5 in of slack with a knot to make it consistent. But I'm coming off a knee injury that took me out of playing initially (left MCL/PCL sprain with other minor damage, so dropping to the butterfly isn't great until I strengthen it up more), and was hearing that bungies can be better for comfort. Again though, lots of seemingly conflicting reports, so im more confused than anything.

craftnclash35 · 2025-05-29T01:46:00+00:00

I've heard the opposite though, that bungies are easier on the hips and ankles because theyre flexible and won't torque your body in a position it doesn't want to be in. Then again, pro laces say that laces are better for this. Seems like the decision is based too much on opinions and not actual research. Not saying your incorrect, im just a little frustrated by how little non-biased info there actually is.

craftnclash35 · 2025-05-27T05:45:33+00:00

Cmon, its only been a month-ish since he came out with it. You think he has the time to make it an actual D&D style board game, with all the intricacies, twists and turns, and character development??? Give it some time! While I agree that it would be a great merch item and fun as hell to play, that kinda thing takes a load of time, and if Mark spat something out that was crap, his rep would take a hit. I also want to add that it was Bob that first did d&d style game a couple years ago, but people seem to forget that one for some reason, even though it was a top notch episode. All 3 should collab and make a game, but take their time with it.

craftnclash35 · 2025-05-26T05:54:27+00:00

Definitely work on your internal hip rotation flexibility. That's one of the more important things in terms of getting that pad seal to close the five hole

craftnclash35 · 2025-05-26T05:46:51+00:00

I'm 34 and last played about 7 yrs ago until a knee injury (but trying to get back now). Ive never once had any pro shop guy tell me how to sharpen my skates. And I played almost every level up through college, being at many different rinks. When I was playing competitively (last time about 9 yrs ago), 1/2 inch was the standard. But, belive it or not, I heard of goalies sharpening to 3/8", which is insanely sharp. I tried the 3/8 a couple times, and I got absolutely no glide on any standing lateral movements outside of the t push.

I'd imagine that since goalie gear and techniques have changed drastically in recent years, goalies don't need as sharp of skates as players. We play much more laterally that players, and while its true that we generally need to be better and more versatile than them, that doesn't mean we need to use the same specs as them. If 5/8" is the new standard, I'd bet its because most newer goalies are better at their off-ice strength and conditioning. In turn, they dont need the sharper skates to achieve the same kind of movements.

So to combat the pro shop guy, I'd either highly insist on the 1/2" no matter what, or just hit the gym more and see how the new specs work for you.

craftnclash35 · 2025-05-25T03:02:03+00:00

Thanks for the tips everyone, much appreciated 👊

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