I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like due to the fact that most of my logon time is at work, where I'm supposed to be... working. Anyway, I've been lurking for over a year, but haven't had the opportunity until now to provide a more formal introduction.
I started playing inline house league in university in NorCal in 1990, with no prior experience except for road hockey and the fact that I was raised in Canada, a fact at the time that was kind of a big deal
. After moving back to Vancouver in '96, I alternated between inline league and pick-up ice hockey until about three years ago, when I switched to ice only.
Fast forward to 2005... up to this point my only experience with goaltending was a season of inline in '92 for the worst team in the lowest division league at the local rink. My gear was the rink's rental set, which was ill-fitting and crappy, but protective enough to do the trick. To put it mildly, we stunk - our final record: 1-13-2. Our team was comprised of all newcomers to the game, myself excluded. Despite our terrible record, I won our team MVP award
and we had a great time win or loss. The next season one of their players volunteered to be their full-time goalie and that was that.
In October '05 I finally got the chance to give it another go, thanks to a good friend and GSBB member who was kind enough to loan me his gear, as he was going to be spending some time away from the rink. Up to this point I just played out, 2-3 times a week with co-workers and friends & family pick-up sessions.
After letting the big, intimidating bag of gear take up space for a few months, in December I finally got to it to use when I was asked to come out as a last-minute replacement to sub for our regular goalie who was out due to injury.
My first game was a bit of a gong show, as I did my best to get by on instinct and what I thought a goalie was "supposed" to do. The first shot I save was a basic pad save - hearing the banging of approval from my bench after my first big save, and it was love.
Hmm, how hard can this be? Well... I ended up eating humble pie that game, getting creamed 18-11. I had a lot to learn.
Still, the memory of that initial save was enough. A few months later and thanks to many visits to the local consignment shops, craigslist and of course the assistance of many GSBBers, I'd managed to piece together my own complete set of gear. I've also finagled my way in to two full-time beer league spots, while still playing out once a week. So right now I'm playing anywhere from 3-6 times a week, and
I'd play even more if given the chance but not if the G/F has anything to say about it!
Recently I got to play 1/2 a game against the Canucks alumni team in front of several hundred co-workers at a work teambuilding function... I stopped Cliff Ronning on a breakaway! The chills I got when the crowd erupted in cheering is something I'll never forget. He gave me a nod and a "nice save" at the post-game handshake,
even though we both knew that they could've beat us 100-0 if they wanted. A bunch of the players hung around in the upstairs pub and they were all great, real stand up guys. Hockey players' reputation as the nicest, most approachable athletes in professional sports is well deserved.
There have been many, many bumps along the way and I've had to fish my jock out of the net along with the puck on more occassions then I'd care to remember,
... and my love for "goalieing" is as strong as ever.
I'm sure my years of experience as a skater helped to accelerate my development despite the late start. I'm a bigger guy (6'2", 220 lbs) so my coverage down low is pretty good, five-hole notwithstanding. My biggest weaknesses are lateral recoveries and conditioning - my form and focus tend to get sloppy late in games.
I have no aspirations beyond continuing to improve my meager game, and earning my first shutout (the closest I've come is two stinkin' minutes!!). Being a member of this here board and reading all the great tips and advice will get me there I hope!
To date all of my interactions with you guys (and gals) have been a joy, and I'm hoping this will be the case for as long as I'm a member! Glad to be aboard.
doj
Just another new kid in town.
I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Not very good on skates to start with and then finding myself in this colored box on the ice in huge pads and forward skates. Well I think I did ok and my teammates did as well so I became the new goalie. I had a blast that first game even though it was one of the toughest things I think I have ever done in my life. Since that fate full day I have been playing one or two times a week here on Long Island. I have also spent a lot of time learning about equipment and trying to track down a few deals on the internet. I am happy that I finally got to join this forum because; although I have learned a lot by just reading I do have many questions. I do promise that I will try and keep the dumb questions to a minimum. Well I will leave my intro at that........thanks Kevin
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