joydot

i always think hockey is rugby on skates. if they cleaned it up it would be football on skates and far cooler (my opinion). we used to live in the annex and the city made an open rink in our local park every winter. the kids had to shovel it! the year the canadian women were top all the girls were going mad for hockey. there was always a parent around playing with and it was such a great thing. the yuppies would be out at 10pm. then the DINKS came with their dogs who kept running on ice after puck, taking it, ****ing in the snowbanks and ****ing on the ice so it froze in. and they didnt give a monkeys!!! it was the greatest community resource and i recommend it to parents based in colder climes - push for it. but be prepared to defend it from those who would put asunder.

paolosmythe

this forum doesn't have any where near enough threads dedicated to the game of hockey!

for all those experienced in the sphere of puck slappy or with kids playing etc.... do you know if there is any money to be made from coaching the sport? i doubt i am of NHL standard (or even CHL) but i would love to contribute to a community's hockey program some how.

currently i am the fixtures secretary for my local adult recreational (aka beer league) team and of course once in vancouver, i will be seeking out similar and at least twice weekly sessions, but i would like to do so much more as well.

i figure that seeing as i am chasing a dream by migrating to a whole new country, i shouldn't limit my ambitions solely to my geographical location, when i could also pursue those things i would much rather do instead of pushing paper in an office somewhere!

advice would be hugely welcomed.

Novocastrian

Which goes some way towards explaining why they are not professional hockey players in Canada.

Steve_P

That's hardly fair now is it?

Novocastrian

I think it is. How many "lovely, intelligent, caring gentlemen" play in the NHL?

Steve_P

I can't tell and neither can you.

We have no idea what they are like off the ice.

joydot

that would be wayne gretzky!

dbd33

Not an ice hockey player in Canada by any stretch.

chams

You obviously haven't a clue what you are talking about, or you have an enormous chip on your shoulder. Although that is a false dichotomy isn't it...

dbd33

Perhaps I have the wrong guy. I was thinking of Wayne Gretzky, son of Walter Gretzky of Brantford Ontario, former professional ice hockey player now resident in the US.

Simon Legree

I don't think that Chams understands the word "in" !!

joydot

ahhhhhh, he may live in the usa now but he is a genuine product of canada unlike many famous 'canadians'! without his example at a fairly critical time who knows how much more brutal the game of hockey might be... not the smartest but smart enough and very very dignified. go wayne! canadian kids need more people like him around. hockey is great for kids and they should all learn/ play at school - its parents and admin that need to get a grip

misplacedheidi

To bring this back to hockey......
My son (10) took this up when we arrived here. He has had 2 seasons playing here in Ontario. He is fit and athletic and he has improved no end with the amount of ice time and really enjoys the sport.
He is good enough for a lower level rep (competitive team) but we have chosen not to spend the vast amount of money on travel. Other parents in the same league (house league is the fun league) are also of the same mindset so you get some very competent players in the house league. But still competitive no less and also no body checking allowed till they are older.
My daughter (9) started hockey this year. She did learn to skate last year and then wanted to play hockey this year. There are loads of girls who play hockey where we are (Ice Wolves Kingston) and they really enjoy it. She's doing really well and having a ball.
She started off doing the hefford hockey camp last year and it just went from there.
http://www.femalehockeyschool.com/
Ringette seems boring to me (IMO) and hockey means that she can beat her boyfriends when she is older!

Husband also built a backyard rink and the extra ice time is fantastic. My son goes out and practices his skating trying things out which hey can't do at regular hockey practice.
The best thing about hockey is the parents - sharing a Timmies in a freezing rink; helping the kids dress (well, when they are littler) and shouting "Ref - offside!" Yes, even me, I know the rules now.
The icing on the cake was when we were at our local outdoor neighbourhood rink and both kids joined in the hockey - people aged 4 - 65 were playing. My husband was asked if he wanted to play but declined (owing to no skill!) but the kids both joined in. Fabulous.

We play serious soccer in the summer!

You can tell I like the sport! (But I think now it must be nearly soccer time surely?....)

JonboyE

The vast majority of minor hockey is run and coached by volunteers.

paolosmythe

yup. i thought as much. thanks for the confirmation. i'd best stick to seeking out those lucrative administrative roles!