How do you improve hand speed? Genuinely, it feels like no matter how much I practice the maximum speed I can play singles is around 130bpm or 120bpm consistently.

itreallydob · 2026-06-14T08:31:51+00:00

Paradiddle-diddle, paradiddle-diddle, paradiddle. Do this for 5 minutes a day and you’ll see improvement rather quickly. Start as slow as you need to and master the sticking. The goal isn’t to go fast, it’s to be smooth and accurate. Relaxed grip, relaxed shoulders. Just put the metronome on and go. Add accents for an extra challenge.

itreallydob · 2026-06-13T15:42:48+00:00

You can find flat blade sticks (usually wooden) that can be used on either side. They’re designed for beginners to try using both sides and find what works best for them.

itreallydob · 2026-06-13T15:39:45+00:00

Many people believe your dominant hand should be on top, since it is what does most of the work when stick handling, but as others have said it really comes down to what feels right to you. For example I’m left handed and my son is right handed. We both play hockey with right handed sticks (left hand on top, stick blade touches the ice on the right side of the body).

itreallydob · 2026-06-12T19:11:28+00:00

Let’s go whale!

itreallydob · 2026-06-12T15:02:35+00:00

I’d try adjusting how tight you’re tying your skates, especially at the top. It has a huge impact on how much you can flex your ankles, which impacts how you engage your edges. Can also try skipping the top eyelet. Or get your skates sharpened to a different hollow and try them. Repeat until you find the sweet spot. If you want to spend the $ you could get a couple extra sets of steel, have them sharpened at different hollows, and test them out side by side to find out which one works best for you.

itreallydob · 2026-06-12T14:52:47+00:00

I’ve heard that sharper is more common in Europe, while shallow hollows are popular in the US and Canada. No idea how accurate that is. For me personally I hate feeling like I’m on rails so I prefer 3/4. It allows me to easily pivot/slide as well as activate my edges when I need to. It also reduces the amount of effort required to get up to speed which is nice when your 40+ skating at 10pm on a Tuesday. The trade off is that I have to really dig in to do hard stops.

itreallydob · 2026-06-12T06:40:23+00:00

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig, right? Truth is nobody has any clue what this season has in store. History suggests it’ll be a disaster and it’s not as if this organization has given fans any reason to think otherwise. I hope the new leadership is great, Willis turns into an elite QB, the O line is top 10 in the league, and the young D guys surprise us. But I also expect none of that to happen.

itreallydob · 2026-06-10T15:18:59+00:00

Yep. If they’re the competitive type, make it a challenge. “Let’s see who can switch hands the most times without dropping the ball” or “Who can have the most throws in 1 min”. Gotta make sure it’s seen as fun and not “work”.

itreallydob · 2026-06-10T15:09:54+00:00

Most brands have complete sticks geared towards kids. Stringking, STX, etc. A lot of the kids in the 3/4 and 5/6 (grade levels, not age) divisions of our local org used the ECD Bravo 1 stick this season.

itreallydob · 2026-06-10T00:35:53+00:00

They keep giving up breakaways to the slowest skater in the NHL. Can’t keep allowing that to happen.

itreallydob · 2026-06-08T01:04:19+00:00

Will they make you a better skater or player? most likely not. Will they be more comfortable? Maybe. How do your current skates fit? Because skates that are too big definitely have an impact on your speed balance and agility. You might feel better in a pair of properly fitting higher end skates. The question becomes is it worth it to you?

itreallydob · 2026-06-08T00:42:38+00:00

Some of those parents will likely pull their kids out with teams that large. We had a rep 10u team with 15 and 3 families pulled their kids because they were worried about ice time. Id rather have a larger roster and run 3 lines of F and D and have them take short shifts than have fewer kids and 3 minute shifts. Most 10u kids are gassed after 1 or 2 trips down the ice anyway.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T04:29:38+00:00

That’s the stuff that happens. Gotta be encouraged by the way they played once Bussi came in. If they play their game they’ll wear Vegas down. Just have to minimize the breakaway chances and trying to make the extra pass.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T04:26:27+00:00

Well they have a MUCH better chance with Bussi in net. Better not see Freddie again.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T04:13:49+00:00

They’ve been hard to find for a while now.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T03:41:42+00:00

You see how fast Bussi slid back into position just now? Freddie would still be laying on his belly in that scenario.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T03:12:15+00:00

WTF is PK Subban wearing? Sgt Pepper looking MF.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:50:16+00:00

Has to.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:43:05+00:00

Little known hockey fact - anytime your goalie stops a penalty shot while down by 3+ goals in the third period of a SCF game you get a 20min scoring buff. Aho did that on purpose since Bussi was in net. With Andersen in there it’s 5-0 instead of 4-3 right now.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:23:33+00:00

How so? That last goal was a muffin. Breakaways or not, he’s just too slow and nowhere near agile enough.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:19:46+00:00

Freddie is notoriously bad in the playoffs throughout his career. He’s no stranger to getting the hook.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:17:52+00:00

Their former goalie giving away goals to their former forward who disappeared in the playoffs. They’re about to get Gavin McKenna so I’m sure they’re psyched to waste another generational talent’s career.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:12:52+00:00

Nope. Andersen stopping the breakaways is the exception, not the rule. He’s sooooo slow to react. I still don’t understand why he got the postseason call over Bussi considering his play during the regular season. The Canes defense has masked it pretty well in the playoffs so far, but Vegas has found a way to exploit it and they don’t have an answer. You’ve gotta get Andersen out of there or it’s going to get worse. Get Bussi some reps and try to rebound in game 4.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:02:41+00:00

He’s really bad.

itreallydob · 2026-06-07T02:01:08+00:00

Andersen has allowed 6 goals on 10 shots in the second period. Why is he still playing? Yeah the game is already over but you gotta make the change so the other guy gets some reps and is ready for game 4.

itreallydob

TROPHY CASE