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In this episode, I’ll talk about
– My apology to Bauer
– Over 60 Spring League
– Why Aren’t You Playing Hockey and How to Deal With It
– Does This Really Matter When Buying New Skates?
My Apology to Bauer
I owe Bauer an apology
I said the footbeds that came with my Bauer Supreme S180 skates are garbage. This isn’t true, they are OK. But they aren’t the quality I expected for $500 skates.
Over 60 Spring League
Three weeks before the Spring League was starting, the League Commissioner called to tell me there was an opening for me to play on a team. What a great opportunity to get off the sub list and play on the same team every week. However, I had to tell him thanks, but I’m not ready to play yet.
In this episode, I’m not talking about you taking off a few months in the summer to do other things, since this is your choice.
I want to talk about wanting to play hockey, but for whatever reason you can’t.
Why Aren’t You Playing Hockey and How to Deal With It
I’m currently not playing, because I hit a rut in ice and have a high ankle sprain.
I’m not dealing with this very well.
When should I return to playing? My ankle feels pretty good, but still hurts occasionally especially when I stop.
Now for why you aren’t playing and how you’re dealing with it.
Injury (Temporarily sidelined)
Did you get hurt playing hockey?
Did you slip on snow/ice, hurt your back shoveling snow, fall on the stairs, move the wrong way, etc.?
– If you’re only off a couple weeks, that isn’t too bad. Although if your league season is still going on, missing one game sucks.
Scheduled
Surgery (Hip/Knee/Shoulder or another part) to repair or replace.
– Try to plan surgeries in the summer, so maybe you won’t miss playing hockey as much.
– Listen to your surgeon. Follow their rehab program carefully.
Moving
You had to move to keep your job.
– Is there is hockey in your new location?
– Maybe you’ll be coming back home in a few years and can skate again with your friends.
– I almost turned down the photography job with my cousin, because I wouldn’t be able to play softball with my friend’s.
Money
Did your retirement investments take a dump?
– Hopefully the market comes back. If you have a financial planner, make sure their fees aren’t making them rich instead of you.
Are you caring for a sick parent or spouse that is draining your bank account?
– Your family comes first.
Your hockey equipment needs replacing, but you can’t afford it.
– Used equipment: Play It Again Sports, local rink: ask rink manager or players, Craigslist.
Time
Are you caring for a sick parent or spouse that is draining your free time?
– Your family comes first.
Does your spouse want to get a fifth wheel so you can travel the country?
Maybe you’re going to be a snowbird and live in FL or AZ in the winter.
– Enjoy traveling and the warm weather. My wife has mentioned spending winters in FL.
Hanging Up Your Skates Permanently
Too many concussions? Too sore after playing and it’s not worth the pain anymore? Retiring to Hawaii or another place where ice rinks are hard to find?
– At some point all of us are going to have to give up playing hockey.
– When we can’t play hockey anymore, let’s remember the great times we had and move on to a new chapter in our life.
Enjoy
Try to take advantage of your time off the ice. This probably sounds bad, but it could be a great time to heal from other nagging injuries, go on vacation if your injury isn’t too serious or do something else to help take your mind off your hockey addiction.
I’ve been watching a lot of the Detroit Red Wings games. This hasn’t helped, because it makes me miss playing more, plus the Wings aren’t very good this year.
It’s funny, I went 16 years without playing hockey (my own choice). Now if I can’t play for a few months, it seems like a crisis in my life.
Ankle Update
Orthopedic Surgeon appointment
Open skating: Ankle felt pretty good. It still doesn’t feel strong when I stop.
Caution: Don’t skate with your hands in your pockets. Wear hockey or regular gloves to keep your hand warm. If your hands are in your pockets and you lose your balance, good luck.
I have joked that open skating is dangerous because I don’t have my hockey stick to lean on.
I think it’s a good idea to skate occasionally without your stick. You don’t have to go open skating; before a game, skate a few laps without your stick. This will build your confidence if you ever need to skate in a game after your stick is broken or knocked out of your hands.
Quick trick to tie your hockey skate laces tighter – Reduce foot slippage (1:28)
Lesson Learned: When you get injured, stop playing immediately.
Does This Really Matter When Buying New Skates?
The Experts say: Our feet swell over the course of the day, so to insure a proper fit, always try on shoes later in the day. But isn’t this advice true for shoes, because we’ll be wearing our shoes for 8-10 hours during the day?
I’m guessing that most of us only skate 1-2 hours at a time. If this is correct, doesn’t it make sense to try on new skates during the times we skate? Most of the time I skate in the morning, but when I purchased my new skates, I tried them on around 1:30 PM.
I can’t find anything saying my theory of trying on new skates around the same time you play is correct, but in my mind, this makes sense.
I’m bringing this up, because I’m not sure I purchased the correct skates (Bauer Supreme S180).
True Pro Custom Skates (VH). 3-D image of your foot, then built for your feet.
CCM and Bauer are supposed to be coming out with custom skates soon.
Please take your time buying new skates. Besides being an expensive item, they also need to fit you properly.
Something about me
1984 = Associate Degree in Digital Equipment Technology
Started my IT career: Digital Equipment Corporation office in Kokomo, IN
1994 Compuware
Peter Karmanos Jr.
Carolina Hurricanes NHL Team
2005-2006 season = Stanley Cup
1997 = Bachelor Degree
2009, after 14 yrs, I was laid off the same day as 250 other co-workers.
2012 – 2017 (5 yr) Credit Union
I hope you enjoyed this episode.
Remember what’s important: Have fun, try to avoid injuries and make new friends.
Let me know how you handled not being able to play hockey.
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Have fun playing the greatest game on earth!
STAY ON THE ICE