Is it time to find a new team?

[Rodgerwilco]

Just sounds like someone who loves playing hockey, and has the funds to enjoy his passion

It's meaningless hockey, so let him switch teams every shift if he wants, he's not hurting anyone

Well, he got caught stealing league fees at least twice and was never banned, so there's that.

And he was a really skilled player. It actually does hurt the experience a lot when a top-tier player is scoring hat tricks every other game in the lowest divison.

It might not be the NHL, but everyone wants a paid league to have some integrity and reasonable structure.

 

[Neutrinos]

Well, he got caught stealing league fees at least twice and was never banned, so there's that.

And he was a really skilled player. It actually does hurt the experience a lot when a top-tier player is scoring hat tricks every other game in the lowest divison.

It might not be the NHL, but everyone wants a paid league to have some integrity and reasonable structure.

Stealing league fees, and playing in a tier well below your skill level are separate issues from the one you raised

I was merely defending the guy from playing on multiple teams, which seems like a victimless crime to me

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Stealing league fees, and playing in a tier well below your skill level are separate issues from the one you raised

I was merely defending the guy from playing on multiple teams, which seems like a victimless crime to me

I don't really think its fair to allow players to play on 8-10 teams within a league... Regular season is whatever, but especially for playoffs. Being on all 4 of the final 4 rosters and being arguably the best player on every roster is kinda ridiculous and really doesn't show much integrity in the league. There would be times where he would basically decide which team was going to win the championship by choosing which team he'd be on.

The organization is very widely known for this kind of crap and it's why they're struggling to retain adult rec players. I've played the premier game of 1 season before semi-finals of the 'previous' season.... double-headers that were the championship game of one season and then the 1st game of the next season in the same night. They try to squeeze as much money as they can, and the sad part is, it's a huge facility and they don't need that money.

 

[Neutrinos]

I don't really think its fair to allow players to play on 8-10 teams within a league... Regular season is whatever, but especially for playoffs. Being on all 4 of the final 4 rosters and being arguably the best player on every roster is kinda ridiculous and really doesn't show much integrity in the league. There would be times where he would basically decide which team was going to win the championship by choosing which team he'd be on.

The organization is very widely known for this kind of crap and it's why they're struggling to retain adult rec players. I've played the premier game of 1 season before semi-finals of the 'previous' season.... double-headers that were the championship game of one season and then the 1st game of the next season in the same night. They try to squeeze as much money as they can, and the sad part is, it's a huge facility and they don't need that money.

Again, his ability to decide which team wins the championship is a symptom of him playing in a tier well below his skill level

So long as each of the teams who took his money were aware of his scattered allegiance, I don't see the problem

Dominating a tier you shouldn't be in is one thing, but playing as much hockey as you can in the one life you have isn't hurting anyone

 

[Yukon Joe]

Again, his ability to decide which team wins the championship is a symptom of him playing in a tier well below his skill level

So long as each of the teams who took his money were aware of his scattered allegiance, I don't see the problem

Dominating a tier you shouldn't be in is one thing, but playing as much hockey as you can in the one life you have isn't hurting anyone

I dunno - that doesn't feel right to me. Play as much hockey as you like (I wish I had enough time/money to play more often), but not for multiple teams at the same level. There are enough different tiers, enough different leagues, that this should never be an issue.

At least in my league there's a minimum number of games played to be able to play in the playoffs.

 

[Petey But Really Jim]

I'll just throw this out there, see if anyone has some wisdom.

I've played with the same rec hockey team for the last 4 years. We started out entirely as a brand new team coming out of a "learn to play" program. Maybe half the team had literally never played before, while the other half had played just a little bit.

So fast forward 4 years. I really, really enjoy playing hockey. I enjoy the guys I play with. But of the group we started with only about 1/3-1/4 are left. As we have lost guys we've recruited new guys - all of whom came in with a lot more hockey experience. So over the last 4 years we keep being moved up the various tiers. We're now in the middle, closer to the top than we are to the bottom where we started.

All of which has me feeling useless out there on the ice. I've been moved up from defence (which I prefer) to the wing. I can see our D looking for a pass, seeing me, then passing to someone else because they rightly decide that even if I'm open the other guy is more likely to do something useful with the pass.

But I do like the guys I play with. Both the guys I've played 4 years with, but also the newer guys are all pretty good guys in the locker room as well. I just can't keep up with most of them on the ice. I also really, really want to score just one goal (four years on and I never have, though I pick up assists here and there) and the higher our team keeps moving up the less and less likely that ever is.

Any thoughts?

Find a new team in a more manageable level. Don’t even give it a second thought. If you aren’t of the age where you basically can devote your everything into improving, it’s just gonna keep you feeling left out.

 

[Neutrinos]

I dunno - that doesn't feel right to me. Play as much hockey as you like (I wish I had enough time/money to play more often), but not for multiple teams at the same level. There are enough different tiers, enough different leagues, that this should never be an issue.

At least in my league there's a minimum number of games played to be able to play in the playoffs.

Obviously I don't know the particulars of the situation, but let's say there is just one league, with 3 tiers; Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

If a player is too good for Beginner, and not skilled enough for Advanced, yet, still wants to play as much hockey as possible, why would anyone care if he joins multiple teams in the Intermediate level?

Maybe he has a dream of one day playing in the Advanced tier, and this is the best way for him to improve his skills by getting as much ice-time as possible

Again, at the end of the day, he's just doing something he loves, and he's not hurting anyone. Nobody should care

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Obviously I don't know the particulars of the situation, but let's say there is just one league, with 3 tiers; Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

If a player is too good for Beginner, and not skilled enough for Advanced, yet, still wants to play as much hockey as possible, why would anyone care if he joins multiple teams in the Intermediate level?

Maybe he has a dream of one day playing in the Advanced tier, and this is the best way for him to improve his skills by getting as much ice-time as possible

Again, at the end of the day, he's just doing something he loves, and he's not hurting anyone. Nobody should care

Well in this instance he was already a top tier player, playing in beginner/intermediate levels consistently dangling newer players and scoring hat tricks like every game lol.

He’s just a rich spoiled kid who found a league that doesn’t mind having no competitive integrity. If it works for them then wonderful, but there’s a reason they’re hurting for players and sending out mass emails practically begging players that haven’t been there in 10+ years to come back.

Edit: some friends of mine put in a new team at the lowest level. Half of them had never even played hockey before. He scored 6 goals and then left to go to the other rink to join a different game.

 

[Yukon Joe]

OK, so an update...

I signed up with a new team. Brand new - they haven't played before (fees were paid to the league, not an individual - not my first rodeo). Had a really good chat with the team manager, but otherwise I'm going in completely blind - never met these guys.

Really sad about leaving my old team - been with some of these guys for four years. But our current team is in the league finals, and told we're moving up to Div 4 for winter (out of 12). No f***ing way I belong in Div 4. I'm already just a passenger in Div 5.

New team figures on being Div 9-10. Only thing that worries me is if someone at the league tags me as being a "mentor" just by virtue of having played at Div 5, without looking at my actual stats (or lack thereof).

 

[tarheelhockey]

OK, so an update...

I signed up with a new team. Brand new - they haven't played before (fees were paid to the league, not an individual - not my first rodeo). Had a really good chat with the team manager, but otherwise I'm going in completely blind - never met these guys.

Really sad about leaving my old team - been with some of these guys for four years. But our current team is in the league finals, and told we're moving up to Div 4 for winter (out of 12). No f***ing way I belong in Div 4. I'm already just a passenger in Div 5.

New team figures on being Div 9-10. Only thing that worries me is if someone at the league tags me as being a "mentor" just by virtue of having played at Div 5, without looking at my actual stats (or lack thereof).

Glad to hear you've found a path forward... hopefully it works out.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

OK, so an update...

I signed up with a new team. Brand new - they haven't played before (fees were paid to the league, not an individual - not my first rodeo). Had a really good chat with the team manager, but otherwise I'm going in completely blind - never met these guys.

Really sad about leaving my old team - been with some of these guys for four years. But our current team is in the league finals, and told we're moving up to Div 4 for winter (out of 12). No f***ing way I belong in Div 4. I'm already just a passenger in Div 5.

New team figures on being Div 9-10. Only thing that worries me is if someone at the league tags me as being a "mentor" just by virtue of having played at Div 5, without looking at my actual stats (or lack thereof).

I haven't played Ice in a competitive setting for quite some time, but does your league do a 'fantasy draft' with everyone who has registered and signed up; or is it teams already have their players registered? My ball hockey league throws everyone who signs up to play for a session and assigns captains to 'draft' their team.

I know this is OT but I needed to vent: The new team I started this Fall session with is, admittedly, not very good. I've played against them before over the past few years, and I can tell who is decently skilled - or who isn't.

Anyway, three of our top players did not show up to our second weekend game, and the offense had to come from me and the only younger guy on the team with legs. Every one else on my team, unfortunately, is not in shape. (One person in particular is a very heavy-set individual and his shifts were literally 30-seconds IF that.. )

We played against a new team that was basically all the guys who basically play in a Mylec Street Hockey League and were blown out 8-1. I never felt so down after a game and debating on continuing this session. I know it sounds like I'm pouting, but it's not very fun to be 0-2 and getting shelled nearly 5 goals a game.

 

[Slats432]

I haven't played Ice in a competitive setting for quite some time, but does your league do a 'fantasy draft' with everyone who has registered and signed up; or is it teams already have their players registered? My ball hockey league throws everyone who signs up to play for a session and assigns captains to 'draft' their team.

I know this is OT but I needed to vent: The new team I started this Fall session with is, admittedly, not very good. I've played against them before over the past few years, and I can tell who is decently skilled - or who isn't.

Anyway, three of our top players did not show up to our second weekend game, and the offense had to come from me and the only younger guy on the team with legs. Every one else on my team, unfortunately, is not in shape. (One person in particular is a very heavy-set individual and his shifts were literally 30-seconds IF that.. )

We played against a new team that was basically all the guys who basically play in a Mylec Street Hockey League and were blown out 8-1. I never felt so down after a game and debating on continuing this session. I know it sounds like I'm pouting, but it's not very fun to be 0-2 and getting shelled nearly 5 goals a game.

Most leagues in Edmonton all do team registrations or if you don't have a team an individual can sign up and a team is found for them. No need for draft leagues. Largest league has over 200 teams and 20 divisions in winter.

 

[Yukon Joe]

I haven't played Ice in a competitive setting for quite some time, but does your league do a 'fantasy draft' with everyone who has registered and signed up; or is it teams already have their players registered? My ball hockey league throws everyone who signs up to play for a session and assigns captains to 'draft' their team.

I know this is OT but I needed to vent: The new team I started this Fall session with is, admittedly, not very good. I've played against them before over the past few years, and I can tell who is decently skilled - or who isn't.

Anyway, three of our top players did not show up to our second weekend game, and the offense had to come from me and the only younger guy on the team with legs. Every one else on my team, unfortunately, is not in shape. (One person in particular is a very heavy-set individual and his shifts were literally 30-seconds IF that.. )

We played against a new team that was basically all the guys who basically play in a Mylec Street Hockey League and were blown out 8-1. I never felt so down after a game and debating on continuing this session. I know it sounds like I'm pouting, but it's not very fun to be 0-2 and getting shelled nearly 5 goals a game.

So no: in my league you sign up as a team. Part of me wishes we could do it like minor hockey, where everyone get's assessed and you get tiered according to your skill level, but most of me gets it. Hockey is a social sport, people want to play with their buddies, not complete strangers. And that's why switching to a totally new team has me shitting my pants - I'm worried I just threw away all that good social aspect in order to wind up playing with a bunch of assholes.

That being said I have to say something about shift length: I wish guys I played with kept to 30 second shifts. I see guys huffing and puffing out there, barely able to skate, but staying out for 2-3 minutes. It's such a corrosive thing, cuz if your linemates are taking overly-long shifts, you feel like you need to as well in order to get your fair icetime, which leads to everyone being gassed.

(I know you were talking about ball hockey, not ice hockey, but I suspect the dynamic is the same).

So yeah, if your fat teammate is only out there for 30 seconds and comes off, don't be hard on him. And I know for myself - I'm not fat (well maybe I could lose 10 lb), but I'm in my late 40s and not in fantastic shape. Hockey is my primary form of exercise. I'm just out here to have fun, work up a good sweat, and hang out with the boys.

Yes it's more fun to win that to lose, but focus on the fun of being out playing a game you love.

 

[The Marquis]

I'll just throw this out there, see if anyone has some wisdom.

I've played with the same rec hockey team for the last 4 years. We started out entirely as a brand new team coming out of a "learn to play" program. Maybe half the team had literally never played before, while the other half had played just a little bit.

So fast forward 4 years. I really, really enjoy playing hockey. I enjoy the guys I play with. But of the group we started with only about 1/3-1/4 are left. As we have lost guys we've recruited new guys - all of whom came in with a lot more hockey experience. So over the last 4 years we keep being moved up the various tiers. We're now in the middle, closer to the top than we are to the bottom where we started.

All of which has me feeling useless out there on the ice. I've been moved up from defence (which I prefer) to the wing. I can see our D looking for a pass, seeing me, then passing to someone else because they rightly decide that even if I'm open the other guy is more likely to do something useful with the pass.

But I do like the guys I play with. Both the guys I've played 4 years with, but also the newer guys are all pretty good guys in the locker room as well. I just can't keep up with most of them on the ice. I also really, really want to score just one goal (four years on and I never have, though I pick up assists here and there) and the higher our team keeps moving up the less and less likely that ever is.

Any thoughts?

You’ll end up being one of those “better players” that joins a team that’s about 1/3 of the original learn to play guys.

This same sort of thing happened to me, so I did exactly that, went back down to the lower level and helped the team move up only to suck balls at the next level… then I decided to switch to roving goaltender at the lowest level so I can play for free. I have no team of my own, but I get to play for free about every other week.

 

[AceKing21]

My opinion, stay with the team. It sounds like you love playing and are dedicated. My suggestion would be to find another night you can practice your craft. Maybe get hooked in with another group of guys so you can drop in or maybe another night you can dedicated to along with your original one. The grass isn't always greener on the other side and the guys you have been teammates for years with might be upset if you take off on them. To me, its not about lighting the lamp and being a prolific goal scorer at this level, its all about the comradery with your team. Laughing, busting balls, forging memories and have a great time together. You can't always replace those type of things and while I am sure you can find new friendships on another team, why possibly ruin what you have. Just keep grinding and having fun. I know by reading some of your other posts that you're a lawyer and time might be limited, but if you have the time, try to find another night to play. The more ice time, the better you'll eventually get.

 

[AceKing21]

That being said I have to say something about shift length: I wish guys I played with kept to 30 second shifts. I see guys huffing and puffing out there, barely able to skate, but staying out for 2-3 minutes. It's such a corrosive thing, cuz if your linemates are taking overly-long shifts, you feel like you need to as well in order to get your fair icetime, which leads to everyone being gassed.

You've been with the team for 4 years now as you've stated. 60%-70% of the original team is gone leaving you with a lot of experience and time with the team. This is where you should speak up as a leader and let the guys know, "hey lets keep it to 30-40 second shifts." They have to know that staying out there for 3 minutes is detrimental to the team and if they don't, it's time someone tells them. Skill level doesn't matter when it comes to being a leader. You can be the worst of the worst, but have a good voice with the guys on the team and they will listen to you.

 

[Yukon Joe]

First game with the new team. I feel really good about changing teams.

My new team is a completely brand new team (so new we don't have our jerseys yet). Looks like there's a pretty wide range of skills out there, from young and skilled to old, fat and slow (or at least even older, slower and fatter than me). Probably most important our high-end guys are nowhere near as high-end as on my old team.

It didn't hurt that we made a thrilling comeback from being down 4-0 in the 2nd, to scoring the game-winning goal to make it 5-4 with one minute left. But anyways the point was to be more relevant, and I felt much more relevant out on the ice last night.

Plus as a bonus - guys were coming off after 45 seconds if the opportunity arose! Nobody did that on my old team.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Lulz. So first game was a 5-4 come from behind win that was competitive and lots of fun.

Second game though was a blowout. We clearly outclassed the opposition. I think it was 8-1 after 2 periods, final score was 10-5 only because we really weren't skating.

So we fully expected, and we even asked ourselves, to be moved up a division. League came back and moved us up 4 whole levels, from Div 9 to Div 5. Which is the same div as my old team. Argh!

I don't expect it to last - new team is just nowhere near as skilled as my old one. We have a couple of legit first time players. But I guess I'll just see what happens...

 

[tarheelhockey]

Lulz. So first game was a 5-4 come from behind win that was competitive and lots of fun.

Second game though was a blowout. We clearly outclassed the opposition. I think it was 8-1 after 2 periods, final score was 10-5 only because we really weren't skating.

So we fully expected, and we even asked ourselves, to be moved up a division. League came back and moved us up 4 whole levels, from Div 9 to Div 5. Which is the same div as my old team. Argh!

I don't expect it to last - new team is just nowhere near as skilled as my old one. We have a couple of legit first time players. But I guess I'll just see what happens...

That is actually hilarious in a sitcom-plot kind of way.

 

[Yukon Joe]

That is actually hilarious in a sitcom-plot kind of way.

It does feel like it could be a storyline in a streaming TV series, doesn't it.

 

[PavelBure10]

Do you have any 3 on 3 leagues around where you live? I found when I played in a 3 on 3 league, you get the puck way more often, and your teammates are forced to use "everyone" on the ice. Resulting in a lot more passes received and more goals. I also found it to be a good league to pickup on your skating, endurance and overall awareness on the ice. I played 3 on 3, and regular leagues, and found 3 on 3 much more enjoyable, simply because the gameplay involved everybody. A lot less puck hogs in 3 on 3 hockey.

 

[ceg195]

F that. You’re not going anywhere.

You’re not getting the puck passed to you because your not in any advantageous positions.

You need to learn how to play on the wing.

In your end, when the other team has the puck, just stay with your defenceman on your side. When your team gets the puck, stay close to the boards in between the blue line and goal line (half wall) and that will open you up for a pass.

In the neutral zone, staying close the boards, while keeping up with the play will, again, open you up for a pass.

Use quick give and go’s when you get a pass. Players love this and will pass to you more if you do this.

And finally, in the offensive zone, get your butt in front of the net and stay there. Obviously you’re going to have to move around to get open but get yourself in an advantageous position. YouTube Tomas Holmstrom.

Good luck.

 

[Oil Gauge]

I'll just throw this out there, see if anyone has some wisdom.

I've played with the same rec hockey team for the last 4 years. We started out entirely as a brand new team coming out of a "learn to play" program. Maybe half the team had literally never played before, while the other half had played just a little bit.

So fast forward 4 years. I really, really enjoy playing hockey. I enjoy the guys I play with. But of the group we started with only about 1/3-1/4 are left. As we have lost guys we've recruited new guys - all of whom came in with a lot more hockey experience. So over the last 4 years we keep being moved up the various tiers. We're now in the middle, closer to the top than we are to the bottom where we started.

All of which has me feeling useless out there on the ice. I've been moved up from defence (which I prefer) to the wing. I can see our D looking for a pass, seeing me, then passing to someone else because they rightly decide that even if I'm open the other guy is more likely to do something useful with the pass.

But I do like the guys I play with. Both the guys I've played 4 years with, but also the newer guys are all pretty good guys in the locker room as well. I just can't keep up with most of them on the ice. I also really, really want to score just one goal (four years on and I never have, though I pick up assists here and there) and the higher our team keeps moving up the less and less likely that ever is.

Any thoughts?

May be late to the party but I'll share my opinion on the situation from the perspective of the "better players". I've been playing beer league hockey for around 20 years now. I played hockey since I was 3. While I was never an elite player I am a top level beer league player. As I've gotten older I have had less of an apatite for the muck it up type of hockey that you get in the more serious leagues. So a few years ago I quit the 2 teams I was playing for and joined an over 35 team that my dad had played for while I was growing up. Some of the players were still the same from when he quit and I knew a handful of them from golf/floor hockey and I had filled in for the hockey team on the odd occasion. The reason I chose to play with that team was for the guys in the room. Some of them were getting up there in age, and some like you had picked up the game later in life and were always a step behind the play.

After a few years playing with them a few of them have quit to go play elsewhere. I can't really say I'm mad that they've left because I want them playing somewhere they enjoy, but I am definitely sad that they don't play with us anymore. Our team is better without them but the room and the team isn't the same. Take that into account when you decide if you want to leave for another team. At the end of the day play where you will have the most fun. Whether that means being competitive or playing with your friends is up to you.

 

[Yukon Joe]

May be late to the party but I'll share my opinion on the situation from the perspective of the "better players". I've been playing beer league hockey for around 20 years now. I played hockey since I was 3. While I was never an elite player I am a top level beer league player. As I've gotten older I have had less of an apatite for the muck it up type of hockey that you get in the more serious leagues. So a few years ago I quit the 2 teams I was playing for and joined an over 35 team that my dad had played for while I was growing up. Some of the players were still the same from when he quit and I knew a handful of them from golf/floor hockey and I had filled in for the hockey team on the odd occasion. The reason I chose to play with that team was for the guys in the room. Some of them were getting up there in age, and some like you had picked up the game later in life and were always a step behind the play.

After a few years playing with them a few of them have quit to go play elsewhere. I can't really say I'm mad that they've left because I want them playing somewhere they enjoy, but I am definitely sad that they don't play with us anymore. Our team is better without them but the room and the team isn't the same. Take that into account when you decide if you want to leave for another team. At the end of the day play where you will have the most fun. Whether that means being competitive or playing with your friends is up to you.

@Oil Gauge You are late to the party - I've been skating with my new team for about a month now. But thanks for the thoughts.

Losing friends was my biggest hesitation on finding a new team. But it's funny how things work out. I changed teams to try and be more "relevant" on the ice, but on my new team I'm still one of the least skilled guys out there. But surprisingly for a bunch of guys I didn't know a month ago I'm really enjoying the locker room vibe, maybe more so than my old team. There's just a bunch of pretty outgoing characters.

Maybe sometimes it's good to get out of a groove and try something new.

 

[swoopster]

Do you have any 3 on 3 leagues around where you live? I found when I played in a 3 on 3 league, you get the puck way more often, and your teammates are forced to use "everyone" on the ice. Resulting in a lot more passes received and more goals. I also found it to be a good league to pickup on your skating, endurance and overall awareness on the ice. I played 3 on 3, and regular leagues, and found 3 on 3 much more enjoyable, simply because the gameplay involved everybody. A lot less puck hogs in 3 on 3 hockey.

And that is why USA hockey has gone to that concept for our youngest players. A lot more ice time and more puck touches. As a young kid in the 60's playing mites and pee wee's, you could play a whole full ice game and see the puck only a few times.

Do they have drop-in hockey in your area... you need ice/ practice time.