1st Game

This is just a few basic things you will want to know before the puck drops...

Leave early. Get to the rink30 mins before your scheduled ice time. This will give you time to find the dressing room and get your gear on. ( see putting on your gear )

So by now you are dressed, standing in a ragged line by the boards and watching the ice being resurfaced... here is what to expect:

You aren't allowed on to the ice until the "Zamboni" is off. Try to wait patiently. Once you are on the ice skate over to a bench and drop off your water bottle. (you brought it right?) Now you need to warm up. You will get a few minutes. Start several laps counter-clockwise. This will get the blood flowing. Start easy then move faster as you get your ice legs. warm? good. Now you can stop skating and stretch if you want. Once you have stretched (or not) someone will have dumped a bunch of pucks on the ice... select one and practice stick handling and take a few shots on net. You will notice folx make sure they have goalie's attention before shooting at him/her. Move towards center ice (out of the way) practice your stops and skating backwards. By now you will be quite warm.

At this point the person who is in charge will whistle, bang their stick on the ice or both to get everyones attention. Skate over. If you have a puck, take it with you. If you see some on the way, gently hit them in that direction. All loose pucks will be gathered up and placed in some sort of container (bag/bucket). You will divide into light and dark coloured jerseys. Then, to even out the number of players on each side, some folx might switch to a different colour jersey. The leader will give any special instructions. Like... pass once after you cross the blue line before shooting on net. Follow these instructions. If you are confused find a friendly face on your "team" and ask. Don't be shy.

Once you have separated into "light" and "dark" jerseys, people will start asking if you want to play forward or defense. Let them know where you would like to play. Now folx will start heading to the bench:

People will ask how you want to do line changes based on the number of people who show up.... Generally. If there are enough for "lines"  then folx tend to switch as a forward or defensive line. So 3 forwards at once or 2 defense at once. If there aren't a lot of people that night. (each side has 6 plus a goalie) then you will end up rotating positions with whoever comes off. That is confusing as a beginner. Hang in there, you will get it. Be alert for team-mates heading towards your bench for line changes. Most will yell positions as they skate hard towards the bench. Open the door and be ready.

Talk to your line-mates, ask questions listen to their answers. Listen when they talk to each other. I have learnt a lot that way. People who love hockey will share what they know to an eager attentive listener.

 Keeps your shifts (time on ice) between 30-90 seconds. Any more and you will be too tired to play effectively. Also, it is considered rude to take alot of ice time when everyone came to play. Basically if you all take short shifts everyone stays warm, alert and content.

After the buzzer, head to the dressing room. Pay the organizer (unless you did that earlier. Dont forget your water bottle). If you get "extra" ice-time, thank whomever gave it to you. (if possible). Ice-time is expensive and if you get an extra 10mins it is a nice gift. 

Don't forget some gentle stretches once you get home. Try to do this within one hour of coming off the ice. This will help your muscles. Drink water. Smile. You did it!