[OT] Summertime fun

A friend of mine and I were watching the third overtime of the Canes/Wings last night at his apartment off of E. State Street and discussing hockey in general. We discussed how neither of us had ever really played too much hockey ourselves, despite being huge fans of the sport. He does have a stick and roller blades, however, which got us to wondering if there was any way we could maybe get some games going this summer. Except for elementary school and tossing a ball in my basement, I've never done anything that even resembles hockey (my years in Park and Rec soccer don't count), so it would be a dream come true to even be able to have a few ice/roller/street hockey games this summer.

Our problems are a) not enough people (6 to 12 total would be great), b) not enough equipment (nets, more sticks, pads (esp for goalies), blades), c) no rink (our best thought was the Wegman's lot at night).

Does anyone have any suggestions/offers/willing to volunteer any of the above in the Ithaca area?

Any response is much appreciated.

-Fred

The new rink in Skaneateles will have ice this summer. There are some summer leagues playing on it. But i'm sure you'd have to pay a pretty penny to use it.

One simple suggestion for you - Intro Ice Hockey in the fall. I'd never played any hockey before Cornell but took the class after deciding that I just had to learn to play since I was becoming such a fanatic. Ended up taking hockey class for four semesters (two intro, two intermediate) and it was a great time. Nothing like playing hockey in Lynah... Of course, I had a grad student schedule (or lack thereof), which allowed me to set aside Tuesdays and Thursdays for hockey.

Let me echo the sentiment for Intro to Hockey! It was great and you never
know when an up and coming graduate assistant coach will be teaching
the class.

Yep, I took hockey from Coach Schafer! He seemed to have a good time
and so did we. I even donned the goalie pads for a scrimmage. Let's
just say that I am a great big sieve. .

I concur with Keith. There's nothing better than playing hockey in Lynah!

Another ringing endorsement for Intro. Hockey. Assuming you know how to skate, TAKE IT! You won't regret it.

Fred, as for summer street hockey, I'd love to get something like that together... of course, I don't own blades, so I've only played sneaker hockey, which isn't exactly the same. Still, something like that might become an impetus for me to buy them, which I've been meaning to do for a while, so if you get something together, definitely let me know!

If you don't know how to skate, which I didn't, then take the intro skating course first and then take hockey the following semester.

Josh Herman '99
[Q]Fred, as for summer street hockey, I'd love to get something like that together... of course, I don't own blades, so I've only played sneaker hockey, which isn't exactly the same. Still, something like that might become an impetus for me to buy them, which I've been meaning to do for a while, so if you get something together, definitely let me know![/Q]

Ah, now this is the kinda response I'm looking for ... I do appreciate the advice for Intro to Skating/Ice Hockey. Seeing as I very well might plan to stay for a year of grad school, it'll be something I'll seriously consider.

But as for right now, I'm interested in maybe doing something this summer. Let me rephrase my a, b, c comments.

a) Anyone in the area want to play and/or have friends who might want to?
b) Anyone own equipment for borrowing/rent or know where we can get some cheap?
c) Any good local rinks or just blacktop/cement surfaces that they can recommend?

-Fred

I'm interesting in playing some street hockey. I have a stick and sneakers, but that's about it. (Actually, come to think of it, I just have an ice hockey stick and not a street one.) I have a old pair of roller blades, but they probably don't fit anymore. I probably could get a friend or two to play as well, but I doubt they have sticks.

I don't have any protective equipment so it might have to be a "keep it on the ground" game or we could play with lightweight street hockey balls.

As for venues, let me suggest the recently repaved "O" lot directly across from the Vet Hospital. I've been by there in the evenings and it's pretty well lit. The surface is excellent for shoe hockey and I think would be pretty good for roller hockey.

-Chris

be careful where you choose to play...rolerblading on rough (even slightly rough) pavement is not fun

[Q]rolerblading on rough (even slightly rough) pavement is not fun [/Q]

At the moment I'm leaning more towards street/sneaker hockey anyway, since we'll all have to buy sticks and nets anyways.