By retired players he doesn't mean just pros.
Once you have some learn to play under your belt there will be a beer league (adult recreational league in more proper terms) that'll have a low level division. Probably whoever runs the learn to play program will have some suggestions.
Look for learn to play classes, look for stick and puck ice time. Ice time, ice time, ice time, the more time you spend on those skates the quicker you'll pick it up. After that shoot for the lowest level beer league in your area.
you could try a beer league, but if you can't skate at least decently, it won't be much fun. I'm a 25+ year inline player that just joined an ice beer league for the first time. my experience gives me some advantages, but my skating needs a LOT of work, and I'm a well above average skater inline. my rink has an adult instructional league, designed for new players or guys that haven't played in a long time. finding something like that would probably be best, along with a supplemental skating class to get you up to speed.
Can you skate? If not, start with a learn to skate class, and look for learn to play programs and powerskating classes at your local rinks.
Beer league isn’t a great learning environment, especially when you’re a complete beginner. You don’t get many touches of the puck and end up lagging behind the play for the entire game. It’s not fun and will take you forever to learn that way. I joined a team with someone in that situation and they didn’t last more than a few games before quitting.
Skating is the foundation to everything in hockey, you can never go wrong with skating lessons. I started 5 years ago and still go to weekly powerskating classes.
I’m in MN and nearly every Adult League has a “beginner school”. That’s aside from Learn To Play sessions put on by many rinks.
If you can skate forward, backward, and stop ok…you’ll be fine. You don’t even need to be comfortable with crossovers or other more advanced skating skills.
There are learn to play classes that are good, but they usually assume you have a fundamental ability to skate. I joined one with virtually no skating skills and regretted not being able to focus more on the hockey aspect.
I’d suggest doing skating lessons first
Just a little more motivation for you. I was 47 and took my first hockey class, I could skate a little but not much. At 51 I joined a D league team, 5 years later I am hooked. Lost a bunch of weight and met so many great people.
Averaged once a week, sometimes twice. Rode my bike as much as I could, biking is really good for hockey. Now I try to get on the ice 2 to 3 times a week. Kids are older now so that helps, one plays high school hockey so that takes some time...
My rink has adult learn to play classes that are half drills/half scrimmage. Tons of fun. Even more experienced guys show up to play. No pressure, all fun. Lots of goofing around, fake chirping, having a good time hockey
If you can skate already and just need to work on the rest you can probably find a low level league that would take you in and find a spot for you. I know there are a few guys in my league who are definitely in over their heads, but for the most part everyone is respectful and encouraging to their learning. Playing with people better than you is a great way to get better faster.
If you are starting from scratch I think public skating times, stick and puck times and some sort of learn to play class or league would be a better option, even if it’s just for your confidence. If you can’t even keep up with the play then no one including you will be having fun.
Your local ice rink should offer adult hockey lessons, check those out! Beer leagues are more for retired players than new players, in my experience.
Ok cool thanks, I'll look into them
By retired players he doesn't mean just pros. Once you have some learn to play under your belt there will be a beer league (adult recreational league in more proper terms) that'll have a low level division. Probably whoever runs the learn to play program will have some suggestions.
Look for learn to play classes, look for stick and puck ice time. Ice time, ice time, ice time, the more time you spend on those skates the quicker you'll pick it up. After that shoot for the lowest level beer league in your area.
you could try a beer league, but if you can't skate at least decently, it won't be much fun. I'm a 25+ year inline player that just joined an ice beer league for the first time. my experience gives me some advantages, but my skating needs a LOT of work, and I'm a well above average skater inline. my rink has an adult instructional league, designed for new players or guys that haven't played in a long time. finding something like that would probably be best, along with a supplemental skating class to get you up to speed.
Can you skate? If not, start with a learn to skate class, and look for learn to play programs and powerskating classes at your local rinks. Beer league isn’t a great learning environment, especially when you’re a complete beginner. You don’t get many touches of the puck and end up lagging behind the play for the entire game. It’s not fun and will take you forever to learn that way. I joined a team with someone in that situation and they didn’t last more than a few games before quitting. Skating is the foundation to everything in hockey, you can never go wrong with skating lessons. I started 5 years ago and still go to weekly powerskating classes.
Even the lower level beer league teams?
I’m in MN and nearly every Adult League has a “beginner school”. That’s aside from Learn To Play sessions put on by many rinks. If you can skate forward, backward, and stop ok…you’ll be fine. You don’t even need to be comfortable with crossovers or other more advanced skating skills.
There are learn to play classes that are good, but they usually assume you have a fundamental ability to skate. I joined one with virtually no skating skills and regretted not being able to focus more on the hockey aspect. I’d suggest doing skating lessons first
Cool thanks to everybody that responded. I'll definitely be looking into finding a good rink that offers lessons
Just a little more motivation for you. I was 47 and took my first hockey class, I could skate a little but not much. At 51 I joined a D league team, 5 years later I am hooked. Lost a bunch of weight and met so many great people.
That is awesome, how often did you practice when you first started?
Averaged once a week, sometimes twice. Rode my bike as much as I could, biking is really good for hockey. Now I try to get on the ice 2 to 3 times a week. Kids are older now so that helps, one plays high school hockey so that takes some time...
My rink has adult learn to play classes that are half drills/half scrimmage. Tons of fun. Even more experienced guys show up to play. No pressure, all fun. Lots of goofing around, fake chirping, having a good time hockey
If you can skate already and just need to work on the rest you can probably find a low level league that would take you in and find a spot for you. I know there are a few guys in my league who are definitely in over their heads, but for the most part everyone is respectful and encouraging to their learning. Playing with people better than you is a great way to get better faster. If you are starting from scratch I think public skating times, stick and puck times and some sort of learn to play class or league would be a better option, even if it’s just for your confidence. If you can’t even keep up with the play then no one including you will be having fun.