benny27
3rd Line Checker
Posts: 291
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Post by benny27 on Dec 5, 2011 14:58:55 GMT -6
Hey All, just some information....
Anyone here playing in men's rec/beer league hockey? If so could you tell me the cost of registration, where you are playing out of, do they have beginner leagues, also what is the cost of equipment (approx).
Looking to get into it next yr. I've never played in a league but have played pick up games, my skating is ok...
so any tips on where i should be looking to start would be great.
Thanks
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z
4th Line Grinder
Posts: 103
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Post by z on Dec 8, 2011 0:12:24 GMT -6
I play out of the Highlander. IceSports now, if you prefer, on Ellice. It will always be the Highlander to me. They have a wide range of divisions, and if you've never played organised, it shouldn't be an issue finding a slot. You will find guys in lower divisions who probably should be playing higher, but a lot of it is a bunch of buddies putting a team together. They group the divisions by quality of the team rather than the one or two guys that are playing below their level. It's not that big of a deal, but it does happen anywhere you play. I like the Highlander league. It's a little cheaper than the IcePlex. The ice surface isn't as good, but the lounge at the Highlander is a nice little drop in place. Beer, food, tvs everywhere. Kinda like BP's lounge. You want a beer after? Go upstairs. I never liked the IcePlex's restaurant wanting reservations. (Do they still do that?) But the league at the Highlander is well run. It's been operating for years now, and Darryl, the guy who runs it is a good guy. He knows who most of the regulars/long time players are, treats the teams pretty fairly, and all that. He even refs a fair chunk of the games, so if you get any incidents on the ice, he has a pretty good grasp of the parties involved and how some of these things come about. It's a class organisation there. They use partner websites to track stats and all that. Overall, I've no complaints. Actually, under the current administration, I'd NEVER leave this league. Reffing will be an issue no matter where you go. www.adultsafehockey.net for the main site. ashl-winimens.stats.pointstreak.com/players-leagues.html for their stats page. They should have rates up on the website, but we put together a team of 13 or 14 regulars, and it worked out to about $400 or so per player. It would have been cheaper if we got the payment in earlier, but that's hard to coordinate. You can sign up as an individual and get put on a team, not sure of the cost. I'm sure if you knew someone who wanted to play as well, you could probably request that you both be put on the same team. We actually had Peter Chura from Global as a walk on one year. Nice guy. Most leagues do a spring-summer league. It's cheaper, but they don't draw as well, so the divisions aren't necessarily as even as the winter leagues are. As far as gear, buy as much as you can at Canadian Tire, especially if you have to buy everything. It's not just for kids, despite all their ads to the contrary. Shin pads, elbow pads and gloves will be cheaper and good enough from there. Not sure about pants and shoulder pads (a lot of guys don't bother with shoulder pads) from there though. But if you got to Sport Chek, Royal or Play it Again and buy new, it'll get up there in price. $200 bucks for an average pair of skates, $60 for shin pads, $100 for pants, $30-$70 for elbow pads, $75-$100 for a helmet, $30-$60 for a visor or cage (optional), $20 for socks, $20 for jockstrap & cup, I haven't bought shoulder pads in 16 years so I don't even know what those cost.....$60-$100 for a bag. Royal has a good price on their generic bag, I think I actually paid $50 for my last one...might be stamped Royal Sports. Get a practice jersey, you never know when you might need one. Nobody ever gets white jerseys made for their team... But shop around, but you could easily drop a grand on gear if you aren't careful. Pro Hockey Life is a nice store to pop in for one off stuff, but they're expensive. If you're serious, start shopping now, and start looking to register for winter season as early as July. As far as other leagues go, I've only spared once or twice for guys at IcePlex. It's a great facility, but it's only been going for two or three years and I don't know if all the kinks are worked out. Plus it is more money. I've heard both positive and negative things about this league. It's growing and should be good. www.thewjhl.com/I've also played in the Winnipeg Central league. In the spring they play out of Dutton arena (on St. John's Ravenscourt campus) which is a neat rink to play out of, as it is Olympic Sized. I believe it is the only one in the city. I'm not sure how they handle rinks in the winter, because unlike IcePlex or Highlander they don't have a facility. You will be playing all over town and even out of town. A guy I work with plays his home games in Ile des Chenes, and I know they (the league) are using East St Paul currently as one of their rinks. I've heard mostly positive things about it. www.winnipegcentralhockey.ca/Dakota Community Center has a men's league. I don't know much about it. I believe all games are out of the Dakota arena. I've heard the quality is pretty high. That's literally all I know about it. Living near Lockport, I will never play in this league. www.dakotacc.com/league_play/winter-adult-hockey.htm |
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benny27
3rd Line Checker
Posts: 291
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Post by benny27 on Dec 8, 2011 12:26:27 GMT -6
Hey thanks a lot Z for taking the time and giving me all that info
So is this the list of equipment i would need:
Skates
Shin pads
socks
pants
gloves
helmet (with cage or visor)
jock strap
shoulder pads (but not necessary)
bag
elbow pads
anything i am missing?
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Post by hobble on Dec 8, 2011 12:53:19 GMT -6
How difficult is it for a inexperienced goalie to find a team?  I have played goalie without any equipment with friends, and this past summer played as a street hockey goalie more often. Hoping to start trying to play on ice with friends this coming winter as soon as I can shore up some equipment. I wouldn't want to join a league right away, but I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to prepare and get into playing in a league? I have never played in a league, so I realize an inexperienced goalie is not something every team is looking for! |
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Post by jetsorbust on Dec 8, 2011 13:03:24 GMT -6
Hey thanks a lot Z for taking the time and giving me all that info So is this the list of equipment i would need: Skates Shin pads socks pants gloves helmet (with cage or visor) jock strap shoulder pads (but not necessary) bag elbow pads anything i am missing? Some guys buy wrist and neck guards but those aren't very common so your list about covers it. I play at the highlander too and love it. It's pretty expensive (basically $6500 a year with taxes, split between however many guys you have on a team) but it is a great league, especially if you suck like me because it's so big that there is a variety of skill levels. There are much cheaper leagues out there, but unless you fit into the skill level of the league it can kinda suck. |
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Post by pegrocks on Dec 8, 2011 14:50:49 GMT -6
This is a Great thread! I am a very mediocre player as well, and have been looking to play in a rec league as well. In fact, both my brother and I tried to get on a team at Dakota last year. We didn’t have enough guys to submit a full team, so we let the organizer know that if any teams are looking for a couple of extra guy’s to join their team to give us a call. No one called  . I guess I can understand that most teams are set up with everyone knowing each other and it is more comfortable rather than having a couple of “strangers” on their team. I am not looking for something ultra competitive (still would like to keep my teeth for when I show up for work ;D), just some guys looking to skate around, feel like all stars, and maybe have a cold one once a week or so. If anyone knows of someone looking, please message me. Thanks. |
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Post by USApegger on Dec 8, 2011 16:18:56 GMT -6
should try to form a team from here, nobody would know anyone personally but there would be a connection
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Post by pegrocks on Dec 8, 2011 18:12:11 GMT -6
^^^Sounds like a pretty good idea! I'm sure we can come up with 15-20 guys and register a team. We have almost 9 months to prepare for a fall registration...maybe we can get a few practice games in (renting ice and play for fun)?! I might have a goalie that would play (has goal pads and doesn't mind getting hit in the head) - LOL!
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z
4th Line Grinder
Posts: 103
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Post by z on Dec 8, 2011 18:14:11 GMT -6
Goalies NEVER have a hard time finding a team. All our goalies play for free. Always. It's that hard for teams to find a steady goalie sometimes. You could probably hang out with your gear by ice level at the Highlander, and find at least one game a night every day of the week. They keep a list of goalies available to spare with preferred divisions that all teams have access to, if a team likes you enough they may ask you to join them permanently. It really helps if you're half decent though. And not a dick.
The Dakota league always sounds like a really good league in terms of quality of play. Not likely a lot of ankle-benders out there from what I hear. But as jetsorbust says, in general, the bigger the league, the more likely you'll get a spot that works. I can say from playing in a few different divisions at the Highlander, if you can propel yourself forwards without falling, you'll fit in somewhere. I've seen guys playing in the lower division who skate worse than I did when I was 5 years old (way back in Reagan's first term). Highlander and IcePlex both take registration from individuals; they will put you somewhere. I know if you got 5 or 6 guys that wanna play together, the Highlander will help you you as best as they can.
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Post by pegrocks on Dec 8, 2011 18:24:59 GMT -6
Thanks for the advice Z.
I have been skating/hockey since I was a kid, but never played in a league...just the outdoor rinks (Varsity View/River Heights) with friend's once or twice a week in the winter. I am alright, but I realize that some guys can really fly out there.
I just don't want to slow anyone down.
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Post by wpgjetsbrian on Dec 8, 2011 22:57:00 GMT -6
I just picked up the remaining pieces of equipment I needed tonight. I would be interested in joining if you form a team. I will just be playing at SJFCC and River Heights outdoor rinks this winter and subbing the occasional time this winter. Basically haven't played in a league since I was 12 :S
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benny27
3rd Line Checker
Posts: 291
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Post by benny27 on Dec 9, 2011 9:29:13 GMT -6
I just picked up the remaining pieces of equipment I needed tonight. I would be interested in joining if you form a team. I will just be playing at SJFCC and River Heights outdoor rinks this winter and subbing the occasional time this winter. Basically haven't played in a league since I was 12 :S Do you know how much you spent on all your equipment? |
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Post by wpgjetsbrian on Dec 9, 2011 10:14:35 GMT -6
I got lucky and got a bunch of lightly used equipment from friends for free(shoulder pads, pants, shin pads) and the rest I picked up from Pro Life and Canadian Tire. I think I spent $500 for everything (bag, helmet, visor, jock, socks, mouth guard, stick, elbow pads, gloves, tape, practice jersey). I had new skates from a few years ago that I barely used so that was a bonus.
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benny27
3rd Line Checker
Posts: 291
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Post by benny27 on Dec 9, 2011 15:40:05 GMT -6
Awesome....so who's organizing a team for next yr?  |
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Post by pegrocks on Dec 9, 2011 15:57:08 GMT -6
Well,
Lets see if we can come up with a list of who whould be in. I'm in and I have at least 1 more that would be in with me...so 2!
Anyone else?
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. I guess I can understand that most teams are set up with everyone knowing each other and it is more comfortable rather than having a couple of “strangers” on their team.