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In this episode, I’ll talk about
– Feedback on Stress
– Personal Challenges
– Physical Issues
– Update on League Games
– Penalty or Penalty Shot?
– Little Caesars Arena
Feedback on Stress
My last episode was How To Deal with The Stress Of Playing Hockey: AgelessHockey.com/11
I received emails from two listeners.
Hiro: I don’t have too much stress because of my personality—I am too carefree—and I am not too competitive. You are much younger—about 11 years younger—and more competitive and more serious, and that’s why you are more conscious of getting out of your stress, which is not too bad.
David “The NY Hockey Guy”: My advice is hey its hockey, just have fun… and also remember, every one of us, from the most skilled to the least skilled, has at times, been the best on the ice or the worst… it’s the team around us that makes us better.
Great stuff Hiro and David. Thanks for your feedback!
I love hearing and learning from listeners.
I want to start by saying that there are struggles for every hockey player, no matter how old you are. However, when we get older, many of these struggles are different.
Personal Challenges
Money ($390 + $20 hockey liability insurance (protects the league and rink from lawsuits).
$410 for 28 games
Drop in Hockey: $11
Some guys play 3-4 times a week. 2 Leagues and 2 DIH
Some players have an hour drive each way, so gas is another expense.
Many of the players are retired and on a fixed income. Equipment is expensive Buying Hockey Equipment: AgelessHockey.com/3
Some retired players have a great monthly pension, so money may not be an issue. I had my opportunity many times to work at GM Cadillac. Friend retired after 30 yr when he was 48 yr old.
Time consuming: Some guys play 4x week (my body can’t take this).
If you’re married, is your spouse supportive? If not, why? Is it because they feel you are spending too much time playing? Maybe they think it’s too expensive (although most hobbies cost money). Are you getting injured a lot (like me) and they really are concerned about your well-being (can you convince them playing hockey is better than sitting on the couch watching TV or going to the bar too much with your friends?).
Don’t neglect your spouse. The two of you need to do things together, besides fight. Your hockey buddies are important, but your marriage is more important.
Are you still working?
What if you get an injury that prevents you from working?
Many of the players say that it’s easier to play once your retired, because they have more free time. Some say that playing hockey is their job now?
Does your body have time to recover, so it doesn’t affect your job?
Do you have other responsibilities?
Taking care of parents or grand kids?
Adult kid’s moving back home, because they can’t find a good enough job to live on their own?
What if your spouse says “Why don’t you play a safe sport like golf?”
Golf can be expensive and time consuming.
My set of clubs was $300 (25 yr ago). Some individual clubs cost more than that. I know friends that have spent more than $1K on a set of clubs. Some of them get a new set every few years – does this really improve their game?
4 hours to play a round of golf, plus the 19th hole
Although, with all my injuries, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t consider golf or bowling.
Physical Issues
http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/aging/art2075.html
Sports Injuries and the Aging Athlete by John E. Morley, M.D.
Old and new injuries.
Living with pain. Is the pain worth it?
Lower energy.
Trying moves from your youth can result in injuries.
Knee/hip replacements (listen to your doctor – guy started golfing in 2 weeks and messed up his hip. – If it isn’t an emergency, maybe schedule your surgery during the off season for the activity you love so you aren’t tempted to come back too early– winter if a golfer.
Injuries take a long time to recover from. Some never completely heal.
I am very qualified to talk about injuries. I always seem to be injuring myself – very frustrating!
Take Action: You must get on the ice to improve
Doctor procedures: David Kaufman – NY Hockey Guy gets OrthoVisc injections in both knees
Other players I know have had knee and hip replacements
Hockey Exercises and Stretches – stationary bike, treadmill, Pre-Game/Skate routine, Weight lifting, running, stretching, yoga, etc.
I’ve only been playing once a week, then resting until the next game. Maybe I should start doing stretches, weights, get a massage, yoga (one guy hip replacement is doing yoga and it’s helping).
How to track your progress: Keep a journal and update it every time you play. Goals/Assists (even in DIH0. How did you score: breakaway, upper glove side, deflected a shot, etc.). Are you skating faster with and without the puck? Are you protecting the puck better? How do you feel?
Recording this may seem ridiculous, but it can help show if you’re improving.
Stop comparing yourself to better hockey players. Run your own race. If you are one of the best players, then help a teammate get better (you may take things for granted, because it comes easy for you).
A player told me: The only time I get frustrated/stressed is when a teammate, at my same level tries to teach or advise me on how to play. I don’t mind being taught, scolded or advised by a coach, manager or mentor.
I know a couple players like this. If you make a mistake, they yell at you while you’re on the ice or when you get back to the bench. Both are better than me, but aren’t great. I just try to ignore them.
How to improve your hockey game.
A friend started skating at the age of 42. Skated twice a week in DIH. He said play as much as you can and you will get better.
The better shape you’re in, will make you a more valuable team player and reduce your chance of injuries.
How to develop a mental edge as you age.
https://www.peakendurancesport.com/endurance-training/masters/ageing-athletes-power-psychology/ (Ageing athletes and the power of psychology by Andrew Hamilton)
Update on League Games
I talked about my lack of production on the ice in the last podcast: How To Deal With The Stress Of Playing Hockey: AgelessHockey.com/11
Lost an edge (Magic Stick) = Profile was bad – What do you use? Honing stone?
I asked Gary: Top goal scorer in the league how he scores so many goals. He said to shoot where the goalie isn’t. Then said that’s why so many of his shots go wide.
In my last 4 games: 2 goals/1 assist, 1 goal/1 assist (won both games). I played forward in 3 of these games, so I got more scoring chances. I stopped trying to go top shelf and just shoot on the net.
The 2 other games: Tied 1-1, Lost 1-0 (first place team).
The last game I played, I got a goal on the first shift, playing on the first line (supposed to play defense, but a forward didn’t show up).
My next shift I in the opponent’s zone near the face-off circle. I was by myself with the puck. I went to turn toward the net and my right skate stopped. Hit a rut in the ice?
My ankle rolled and my knee twisted, then I hit the boards. Luckily, I wasn’t real close to the boards. My knee hit the boards and immediately was hurting. I continued to play the entire game because we were already missing one player (only 3 on defense).
Injury: I have a high ankle sprain. The orthopedic surgeon told me not to play hockey for 3 more months.
How can I stay in half way decent shape if I don’t play hockey for four months?
Should I use an exercise bike and treadmill (it’s the middle of winter in Michigan)?
What suggestions do you have?
After scoring some goals, I’m not claiming to be Wayne Gretsky, but it felt good getting some points and winning.
On a sad note: Dimitrie fundraiser. Pastor at a local church received a serious spinal injury (broken neck). BE CAREFUL – Dimitrie is an excellent skater. Got tangled up with another player and went into the boards.
He is in rehab and is walking a little. Got out of his wheel chair at the fundraiser.
I’ve had many injuries since returning to hockey. It sucks and I’ve had my share of pity parties.
After seeing what happened to Dimitrie, I feel guilty about complaining. My concussion scared me, but what he is going through is terrible. This could happen to any of us.
We are all praying that Dimitrie makes a full recovery. He is already talking about playing again someday.
NOTE: I didn’t play the entire decade I was 50
Knee surgeries when I was 48
Got married when I was 50.
Sold our 2 houses and moved to a condo.
My wife did not stop me from playing hockey.
Don’t skip playing hockey for a decade of your life.
I regret not playing in my 50’s, when I had young legs.
Penalty or Penalty Shot?
Fundraiser game: Penalty = penalty shot
No team has a good power play, so maybe a penalty shot would be better? Although it seems that many penalties are committed on the better players, so they would probably score a lot on a penalty shot?
Let me know what you think. Is a penalty shot is better than a 2-minute running time penalty?
Our league games are 50-minute running clock. Stop time with 2 minutes left in the game if the score is within 2 goals.
Other leagues have 37-minute stop clock games. The guys say it’s about the same as our 50-minute running time.
Little Caesars Arena
– Home of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons
– In Nov my wife was going to get tickets to a Wings game for my birthday.
– Jan 16, 2018: Dallas Stars (L 4-2)
– East Club: includes parking, food, beer, wine, restrooms
– It took about 5 minutes to go to the restroom, get a drink and get back to our seat.
– $310/ticket, 4 seats = $42K per season
– It’s amazing how the pros can skate.
Miscellaneous
Adam, from GearGeek.com contacted me asking if I would include his site in my resources page. I really had to think about this, because Ageless Hockey is about us Over 50 Players, not the NHL. However, I decided to add this link because the site is interesting.
NHL players constantly test new brands/models and often make changes to their gear and sticks throughout the year. This site keeps track of the equipment being used by every active NHL player: sticks, gloves, pants, skates and helmets. It also shows the Stat Leaders and Salary Cap.
AgelessHockey.com/resources
CAUTION: I’ve mentioned in podcasts, DO NOT purchase any gear just because your favorite NHL player uses it. All equipment needs to fit you properly, so you have maximum protection and comfort. This is especially important with your helmet and skates.
Something about me
In July 1974 (21 yr), a friend and I went from Detroit, MI to Fort Lauderdale, FL on motorcycles
I had a 450 Honda.
My friend Dan had a 500 Triumph with dirt tires.
Stop when we needed gas – got 1 hour from home and he signaled to pull over in a rest area.
Coming home Dan got a flat on 1-75 expressway in Georgia. I rode to the next exit and went to a gas station for help. A kid that looked like he was 12 yr old followed me in a tow truck and took Dan’s bike back to the station. This same kid patched Dan’s tire and charged us $12. This tire was still on Dan’s bike when he sold it 2 years later.
Don’t judge a book by its cover: This “kid” knew what he was doing.
I also sold my bike and didn’t ride again until 5 years ago at my cousin’s.
I hope you enjoyed this episode.
Remember what’s important: Have fun, try to avoid injuries and make new friends.
Please share my podcast with friends and other players.
Let me know if you have anything you struggle with as an older player.
Show Notes for this episode are located at AgelessHockey.com/12
You can also leave a comment at this location
My email is Jim@AgelessHockey.com
Please visit AgelessHockey.com for more information
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Have fun playing the greatest game on earth!
STAY ON THE ICE