is learning to play a new position in ice hockey at age 17 old to be doing that?
968173
Friend,\nI didn't learn to play hockey until I was 34.\nPlaying in adult leagues is not to be compared to high school or college games.  The speed alone would wipe us out.  But the principles are the same.............positioning is the key.  You have to read the plays and anticipate where to be.  Your position on the ice is the key to your success or failure.
625926
I would say that if he is in the second year squirts group and he isn't too small I would let him move up.  Once a player begins to play with checking it's impossible to play without checking.  I allowed my son to move up from his third year of mini-mites to play mites.  At this age the kids are all pretty much the same size and he is a goalie and has been playing longer than most of the other kids out there.  I had him on skates before he took his first steps.  There are obviously 2 different sides to this issue.\n\nAllowing him to move up would mean he's with bigger and older kids.  Depending on how big your son is there's a greater chance of him getting hurt playing up rather than playing there next season.  But on the other side of all of this, he will gain more experience playing up with the bigger kids and their skill level will force him to push himself and grow as a hockey player.\n\nBy not allowing him to move up he will probably one of the goons on his team and spend a great deal of time sitting in the sin bin.  He will continue to check now that he has learned how to.  Once checking is introduced into the game of hockey it is impossible to remove it from the mind.  It just cannot be done.\n\nYou just have to remember that you are his parent.  Parents hate to see kids checking each other.  He'll be there one day.  You can't stop him from growing up as much as you may want to.  I remember how much my parents hated us playing hockey, it's a parent thing.\n\nBest of luck to him and you for the comming season.  Any hockey questions you can always find me through email or messenger at crazycanuckj@yahoo.ca
457842
What a lovely (and very timely) question, Moon! Ta very much! :)\n\nI have loved hockey since the age of four when I was first exposed to it, watching my beloved Buffalo Sabres (currently hammering the hated Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs -- WOOHOO!). I was never able to skate worth a damn so I'm afraid my "career" began and ended with youthful street hockey games. But man, what great memories...\n\nHockey has always been important to me in my life, from those cold winter nights playing street hockey with my two older brothers and a whole host of neighbourhood pals under the street lights or on a bright Saturday afternoon. I'm smiling just remembering some of my youthful heroics, like the night we were short of players and I was designated as our team's defenseman/goalie (minus any goaltending equipment, of course) and I stopped the biggest kid on the opposing team (he was twice my size and the same age as my eldest brother) on not one but two clean breakaways. Both times I just focused like a laser on the orange street hockey ball (pucks only work on ice) and stole it away from him before he could get off a shot. The cheers of my brothers and friends were awesome but I especially liked when the big fella hoisted me up on his shoulders after the game and called me the first star (hockey awards three stars after a game and 1st star is best). \n\nI also vividly recall EVERY Sabres game I went to see in person, whether in the grand old Aud (Memorial Auditorium) or the spanking new HSBC Arena. My Uncle Norm had season tickets and always took me to a game for my birthday. I'll never forget the night my all-time favourite player -- and THE original Buffalo Sabre -- Gilbert Perreault scored a hat trick (that's 3 goals, just like in soccer) and had a couple of assists as well. I swear he did it just for me! (I was only 10 years old, of course, so what did I know? lol) My most recent game was only a month ago, here in Washington, when a bunch of us went to see our visiting Sabres thump the local Caps. Joined by a whole host of transplanted Buffalonians and Sabres boosters who travel with the team, we made more noise than the locals in THEIR OWN building. Great fun! My last game attended in Buffalo was a couple of years ago when my younger brother and I made a trip home to catch both a Sabres game (we won!) and Bills game (we lost.) while otherwise catching up with extended family and old friends. Nice! :)\n\nI love football (NFL mainly, but world football too, especially in World Cup years like this one), Formula 1 auto racing, even golf and tennis -- and the occasional baseball game, just to annoy Patz -- but hockey has always been MY sport, my first love and the source of many happy memories of my bygone youth...\n\nThank you again for asking such a lovely and, for me, personally significant question. Cheers, Moon! :)
960320
can i assume you are a kid. Makes a bit of a difference. For example, if you are playing contact hockey or not.\n\nThe hardest and most expensive position to play is goalie.\n\nI would say,  check out your skating speed versus the other people playing. If you are slower, then you might be better off playing defense. If you are faster and have a good aim, then I guess a forward might be a better choice.
602179
Hockey is a great sport for juniors. It teaches them teamwork and fairplay. It is a little expensive, but the game pays out more than you spend.
875066
We keep up by memorizing the opposing players' numbers, reading the backs of their jerseys, and knowing our home team players by sight, name and personalities...It also helps to know how the game is played so that we can anticipate the plays and penalties.  Watching the puck is a great way to deal with the problem in the minors.  However, in the NHL, (network level) there are people spotting the game and handing the announcers notes all the time...It's just a matter of doing it enough times to get it down and be proficient at it...;)  Oh, and if you ever heard the bloopers we come up with...LOL...
888757
Yes. It is a skill I've acquired through many years of rigorous training and practice. I don't suggest that you try it alone!
875508
To train my legs as a goalie i put pieces of plywood on the ground and jump them one at a time or in session with either both feet or just one. Very rough on the legs to start but it pays off on the ice. Skipping is deffinately a good drill to train with.
1181424
It should not be if you give effort and try. I did it last year and the year before and i am not really a basketball player more of softball and ice skating and volleyball. But any way yeah try your hardest and out hustle everyone and you should be ok!
282649
No such thing sorry dude.. This is not even a proffesional sport so this answer can change depending on where you live and what your skill level is.
144908
i'm a 14 year old girl who wants to play ice hockey and alot of people say to me it's to late, u should have started when u where like 3.
706700
No its not too late to join Hockey-with alot of hard work and practice and the right attitude You will do great.
564956
Yes, Its a great sport, that all ages can play.\n\nAge and skill do not necessarily go hand in hand. \n\nIt's also easy to play with very little equipment.\n\nI've been playing for 23 years. And I still love it!!
313959
I played keeper last year it a hard job and a easy job.Like the first guy said work on falling or they will score on you all today.Make sure to work on your punts and free kicks, goal kicks.Practice alot it does make a different.And when it one on one you versus the forward or the attacker charged them if your in HS most kid get scared and mess and stretch your body when you charged the attacker.And comfort in the goal box.Good luck
1125012
If you are familiar with Ice Hockey, it will help you understand some of the rules, like offside and delay of game. Although, this game dosen't have a sin bin or goalies covered in padding. I would look on wikipedia or go to your local library and have a look about. You will definatley fall in love with this beautiful game.
936142
i am more than thankful for hockey..it has become a way of life for so many peole, including me. Not only does it help to keep you in great shape, but you also make new friends. I know here in this part of the u.s., there arent many girls that play hockey, let alone hockey at all! so when peole ask me what i play, and i say hockey, it makes me feel unique, just as every hockey player should feel. Pretty much anyone can say they play soccer..but when you say you play or are interested in hockey, it probably means ur priveledged, and your smart enough to see that hockey really is THE best sport EVER!!!!!!!! Plus, it just helps to keep my mind off things, and now i know what i want to do or work around in life (hockey). Also its a great topic to have arguements over whther your at a game sitting next to the opposing teams fan or your just talking about whose the better player Crosby or Ovechkin? lol i know that question is old..but all im trying to say is HOCKEY ROCKS AND IT BEATS THE REST!!!!!!
1115172
We were the olympic champions in Hockey once upon a time but then we have been pushed backwards. \nMany sports activities and athletic activities are not yet encouraged so much but it is not as if there is NO ENCOURAGEMENT at all. Slowly it is being built up but much more needs to be done.\nRight from young age talents have to be located , selected and state has to take the responsibility to give them training and proper type of food etc etc.\nIf individuals are to come up as in cricket it does not happen in games like football.