This is a question to all you Beantowners. I was wondering if any of you knew some good open hockey sessions that go on around here. I've been to a couple of FMCs, but there didn't seem to be much going on other than a couple of people doing just stick practice or whatever -- I didn't happen across any pickup games or anything. I don't think I'm good enough (yet) to join a league, I just want to be able to play a little a couple times a week. Anyone know of any good spots?
(Weekends or early morning/late night would be best, or if it's during the day, something close to Andover so that I can just take a quick break from work.)
I'm in the same boat, it the past, I would try to find a few guys at a skate n shoot session who knew what was up in the area, or if I was lucky, there would be a scrimmage going on. Nowadays, though, rinks don't like to do this (insurance reasons, I guess), so you really have to find someone who rents time regularly, or a league. And from my experience, it's not on a website somewhere, it's the bulletin boards at the rink, or through the sharpening techs, or the woman at the desk who knows the guy who runs leagues. Ask around. This is good advice for anywhere, and not just Boston.
Specific to here, though, I might suggest joining a league. There is excellent competition that I know of at the rink in Newton on the river (Daly Rink, I think) and at Murphy Rink over in South Boston. I haven't played since 2004 at either, though, and I'm not sure how convenient this would be to you. If all else fails, I thought about enrolling in a PE class at a place like Northeastern to get some ice time, but haven't acted on it. Do you have any street hockey regulars that play ice too?
Edit: I completely missed your comment about not joining a league. Sorry. I would agree that the resource below is excellent, if you have a car and a flexible schedule.
The best way to learn how to play hockey at our advanced age is to join a beginner's league. The Hockey Academy (http://thehockeyacademy.com/), Hockey North America (http://www.hna.com/), and New England Senior Hockey League (http://www.neshl.com/) all offer beginner's leagues in which they build the teams and give you some weeks of intro and drills before starting you on actual games.
This is what I did 3 years ago, and it was a great way to get started, as well as to meet other people who like to play. Boston is one of the most favorable areas of the country for amateur adult hockey, precisely because there are lots of people who want to learn to play as adults.
Cheers,
Kyle
Advanced age! Speak for yourself, Oldy McOldman -- I just graduated :)
But however unadvanced my age is, that's how unadvanced my hockey is, too. So a beginner's league like that sounds perfect. Thanks!
[quote ftyuv]Advanced age! Speak for yourself, Oldy McOldman -- I just graduated :)[/quote]
Hey, you'll be 30 one of these days, buddy.
And long after that, you'll reach Greg's age. :-D
Kyle
[quote krose][quote ftyuv]Advanced age! Speak for yourself, Oldy McOldman -- I just graduated :)[/quote]
Hey, you'll be 30 one of these days, buddy.
And long after that, you'll reach Greg's age. :-D
Kyle[/quote]
Watch it, you young whipper-snapper! :-P