I'm not opposed to defense. I played pretty competitive soccer for most of my teen years and played defense, actually preferred it. I just don't want to be a permanent liability, haha. Thanks for the advice. I'll just get out there and see what happens.
For whatever reason, whether its beer league or open, the noobs seem to want to play D (or they get put there) even though half the time they are unable to skate backwards, have poor transitions, poor technique, etc.
A team's best skaters should be playing defense, but it seems the noobs lack the confidence to play up because they think offense is all dangling and slick moves.
Offense is keeping your head up, not skating in straight lines, being aware of who is around you at all times, keeping your stick on the ice and being ready for a pass at any time, being able to saucer/flat/touch pass when the situation calls for it, etc., not necessarily who is the best toe dragger.
The key is finding a few talented players and literally stealing their moves of what you think you can apply to realistically fit into your game. I saw someone the past 2 years at opens who played in college and while they were not super fast or skilled, could cut on a dime and no one could stop; she just zig-zags around them. Another player brought a gopro camera and taped an open with her, which I've studied at length and modeled my skating after.
I have intensively worked on being able to take VERY sharp turns (see the video link below) and can skate right around many of the forechecking forwards and d-men I face by being able to cut sharply. I've also worked on lifting the puck delicately over a player's stick blade if they are sweeping theirs in front of me, all little things that don't require a lot of skill - just time worked. I knew I'd never be a good toe dragger and am too old and slow to be able to whip the puck side-to-side, so I worked on other avenues of creating space and time to be able to take a shot or pass.
This is what I am referring to, but with the puck:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFXtbjaAZdY
If you can master this, then you will be able to find a lot of success as a forward, weaving your way in and around defenders unable to cross over backwards to keep up with you.