Commonly Asked Questions

I was subbing for a team in beer league today. The game was a starting to get really scrappy (largely instigated by the other team) and the ref didn’t call anything. The puck was loose just past the centre of the ice and I was about to beat the defender to the puck when he two hand slashes me in the face.

He gets called for 4 minutes with no ejection. I was down on the ice for a while and since the game have started feeling slight concussion like symptoms.

Is there anything I can reasonably do in this situation? Unfortunately no cameras in the rink to document the slash.

I was watching ISU vs ISU for ACHA hockey, and a guy was hit into the boards and he went head first, he started convulsing and 911 was called immediately and they came of course, after a while he started to scream and say that he wanted to get off and wanted to leave, he also said other shit that didn’t make any sense. I’m guessing he has a really bad concussion which caused the seizure but does anyone know what he might have? I hope not to offend anyone

I broke my ankle in a beer league game 3 weeks ago. Doctor called it a bimalleolar ankle fracture and had torn ligaments. I’ve been told in 4 weeks I can walk with the boot on (until then don’t put any weight on it) and in 8 weeks the boot can go away.

People that also broke their ankle, how long did it take for you to return to hockey? My goal is to be back by July but I have no idea.

My ankle now feels like I could put some weight on it but I won’t per the doctor’s orders. I went for my post 2 week surgery appointment last week and the doctor said the ankle looks great so far.

I played on ST Albert Raiders AAA and Bonnyville Pontiacs Bantam AA and I looked at the team and I'm missing? I played 16 game in 2012/13 and has 14 Points. 6 Goals and 8 Assists for ST Albert and in Bonnyville 2011/2012 I had 17 Games 11 Goals and 17 assists. But I can't find my stats my friend Austin is on there too for ST Albert and it shows he played less games than he did? Wtf?!? I didn't really know Elite Prospects existed till now. I also don't even have a profile or anything

Which is better? The pair of x-lites I was stalking sold and I found a pair of x700s for 135. Which is better?

My friends and I play together, not in a real league, but I thought it would be a nice gift for everyone to get us matching jerseys with our nicknames. How do you size a jersey to wear it over equipment? Just a size up from what you wear in everyday clothing?

This might be an unpopular option, but I feel pickup and even low level leagues should be 4 on 4.

4 on 4 gives you more time and space with the puck which makes for smarter hockey, I think this makes for a more fun experience overall. This especially rings true when you’re not playing with the same guys every week, and knowing guys tendencies. Not to mention you can play with more spares, if this is an issue in your area.

What do you think?

I’m using a 2 piece right now in my beer league to save some money, however I’m using the Sherwood T20 standard blade and I was wondering if there were any other blades people would recommend. The blade feels kind of clunky and like I can’t get much power behind a shot.

Today I bought a pair of cheapo CCM Tacks AS-550 skates, and I was surprised how much better the blade felt than my Vapor x800s.

I've always found it difficult to use the front tip of the Vapor blade when skating -- it sometimes doesn't fully catch the ice, especially when doing crossover turns. However, with the CCMs I immediately had full control.

I was wondering if this might be a blade profile issue. Can anyone familiar with these two blades explain any difference?

Based on this experience I'd like to get a new pair of blades for the Vapors, or invest in a higher-quality version of the AS 550s.

I'm in beer league but still way outta shape. 6'5 235lbs. Started going to the gym and made a basic outline Sun-Core Monday/tuesday-rest Wed-leg Thurs-cardio Fri-upper body Sat-rest My main question is how do you structure your work outs? I'm not trying to bulk or get into a routine that requires 6000 calories, just toning up and gaining stamina for hockey night.

Minimal skating growing up, got my first set of skates in December and have been going to stick time 2-3 times a week for a month and a half.

I'm two weeks into an adult skills clinic at my local rink. After about 40 minutes of working on skills we run a 20 minute scrimmage. I managed to score a goal in each of my first three shifts and have been stoked about it.

Can't wait to join one of the local adult rookie teams!

Any of you hockey players get shoulder stabilization surgery for multiple dislocations or know anyone? Was it worth it? My 16 yo son needs one but now he’s trying tell me he’s going to play baseball instead. I think it would help him to have time to heal between hockey seasons and not be nervous on the ice that his shoulder will pop out from simply falling wrong. Plus I’m worried he’s destroying his shoulder over time. And in the future how hard is it going to be to take 6 weeks off once you have a job/college? Thanks for your opinions.

Edited to add: Well the poor kid got hurt again in a game tonight. He said this time he just touched somebody and his shoulder popped out. He’s says he’s going to do the surgery. Thanks everyone for helping us feel confident in this decision.

Hi all, I’m looking for gift options for my beer league team. About to wrap up our first season for the league, along with myself, about 90% never played until recently (within the last year)-majority of us came from a hockey 101 class.

It has been one of the best experiences and I absolutely appreciate how supportive the hockey community is.

I wanted to give some gifts for all our teammates and was looking for ideas- - congratulations and thank you gift for the first season. Maybe something with the team logo, any suggestions?

Dryland at home excersises that help me gain full body strength. Some stretches too would help.

I've been skating for almost a year now, still learning. Some of my teammates at practice say they don't want to be in this line because I'm there. How should I not feel discouraged from their comments? Someone in line switched partners for a faster skater, which I understand but it also discouraged me a bit which I know that shouldn't. Any advice on this would make me feel better, thank you.

Hi everyone. I need to upgrade my sons skates, however the nearby stores doesn’t have the correct size right now.

I’ve found someone nearby selling some Bauer Vapor 3xpro used ones.

Will these skates be to stiff ?He’s only 5 and a half but been skating for 1.5-2 years and is among the better skaters in his group.

Thank you

I started learning to skate with the goal of playing hockey eventually about five months ago. i just turned sixteen so im starting relatively late. im at that weird age where im too old for kids stuff but too young for adult leagues/classes. im in SC so not a huge hockey area here. i go to public skate really often skating about five days a week for anywhere from 1:30-3 hours per session and i’ve been starting to go to stick times. but it gets really demotivating when every person there is so much better then me. i understand its a process but its extremely discouraging when im working on something im having trouble with (backward crossovers or mohawks for example) and i see some kid zooming by me doing them effortlessly. i’ve pretty much given up any hope of playing on an organized team before i turn 18 because they dont have a house league for my age and anyone on the travel teams will have been playing since they were little. how do i just not worry about that and keep improving. this is really having an effect on my head game and idk what to do. i’m planning on taking a power skating class this coming spring so that’ll help aswell

I used some kind of local shop Odor Destroyer for sports gear, but it's running out fast, it's expensive, and not giving any results (for brand new equipment).

Perhaps someone is using some 'homemade' stuff that lasts longer, smells better, and is cheaper to produce?

Does anyone have a team set of beer league jerseys they are trying to get rid of? Looking to upgrade our existing jerseys for a tournament. We play once a year so I'm not looking to break the bank.

Hey all, apologies in advance as I know some of these types of posts can be annoying, but could really use the help.

My current skates are starting to break down and am in the market for some new skates. I have been skating in CCM 9080(?) Tacks 9.5 EE. These are still a bit tight on my wide/flat feet. I ordered some of the True HZRDUS 9x skates from the great folks at Hockey Monkey in a 9.5 W and could barely get them on, so I returned them and used the True sizing app (probably should have done that prior to ordering) and it has me in a 10-10.5. I returned the 9.5W for a 10.5W, and while they are better, there are still a little uncomfortable even after one round of baking. My toes reach the end of the inserts fine, but spill over width-wise at the toes. Not the worst, but definitely not as comfortable as my CCM's. I have yet to skate on these, as I do not want to profile and sharpen them if I need to return.

Are these skates notorious for being narrow even in the wide sizes? I am a bit shocked that I had to jump up a full size.
I am looking for advice if there are any others you all would recommend? I do not really have the resources to go the custom route, as I am a low level beer leaguer who only skates 1 or 2 times per week.

I appreciate you all and look forward to any insight and feedback you all may have.

Hi, Just checking with people over here to see if it’s worth turning them into ice skates. Never done it before and would like to hear opinions about it. Cheers

Anyone ever get holes or tears in their equipment when putting it in the washing machine?

Happened to me yesterday, using my front loading washer, in heavy duty cycle, with all my gear.

My less than year old Bauer pants had 2 holes in the outer thigh and a tear on the front.

Shins, shoulder and elbow Velcro straps were all in their game ready position.

Sheeeiiit.