Beer Leagues, Gear, and other Non-Pro Related Items

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
Anyone have tips for buying new skates at a discount? The low end ones are like $400+ and I am not looking to pay for that even though my current ones are literally falling apart.  Two of the eyelets or whatever you call them for your laces have snapped and I don't take that as a good sign.
 

underhandtofirst

stud who hits bombs
SoSH Member
Jul 25, 2005
1,575
Chelmsford, MA
kenneycb said:
Anyone have tips for buying new skates at a discount? The low end ones are like $400+ and I am not looking to pay for that even though my current ones are literally falling apart.  Two of the eyelets or whatever you call them for your laces have snapped and I don't take that as a good sign.
Do you need 'new' or just new as in fresh out of the box? I got a nice pair at zwickers in Bedford a couple years ago. The model was 2-3 years old, but it replaced a 20+ year old pair so it was a huge upgrade and set me back only $150. If you can handle a slightly older model you might get more for your money. They do a great job sharpening skates too. I've gone to them for equipment since I was a kid and now bring my kids there.
Disclaimer: I bought my 'new' skates in May so they may have been more willing to move old stock at that time of year.
 

The Mort Report

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 5, 2007
6,883
Concord
Skates suck right out of the box, even if you pay big, so if you aren't playing a lot I don't recommend new because you'll never break them in.  I'm 50 games in with new skates and they still hate me
 
I want to bring back something from the original post.  The company All Black Hockey Sticks, I bought a few last season.  Now I'm a goalie by trade, just started skating out 2 years ago, so I'm comparing these to lower end sticks, the best I had before these were Vapor X:60s, which ran $150 compared to $89 for ABHS.  I will say they are really light, great for someone of my level.  This issue I might see with them is for higher level players, they feel like a Chinese carbon frame I tested for my mountain bike, sure its light and cheap, but I feel like I'm going to snap it in half.
 
Also, I'm planning on moving back to the New England area this winter, and I'm more concerned with finding a league as a goalie over finding a place to live.  Portland/Boston/Providence area, but my main concern is what level I should be playing at.  I live in a small town called Crested Butte in Colorado, and our comp league has a couple guys that were low pro level guys, though they usually embarrass the shit out of me.  I hold my own with D1 skaters, but I'm guessing I would be better off playing with average college level players.  What level is that considered around there?
 

TFP

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2007
20,380
With regard to skates, you should have gone to the Pure Hockey Tent Sale a few weekends ago. 20% off everything. Last year I got one of the RBZ skates for about $250 and they're great. Had them baked and they honestly fit great my first skate with them, didn't hurt once. I love them.

Mort Report, depends on where you play. In most leagues that's probably A level, unless you find the league where it's all former pro players. I play in Westborough (great league) and the A league is mostly former college and minor league pro guys and you'd fit in fine.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
If you end up in Boston, the top levels of the NESHL are usually pretty good- bunch of ex college and juniors guys. There are also a lot of opportunities for pick-up skates, and some of those can be pretty good as well.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
The Four Peters said:
With regard to skates, you should have gone to the Pure Hockey Tent Sale a few weekends ago. 20% off everything. Last year I got one of the RBZ skates for about $250 and they're great. Had them baked and they honestly fit great my first skate with them, didn't hurt once. I love them.
Now if only I find my time machine.
 
And I've played the A league in the NESHL Metro Boston and the competition level was awesome.  I played club and was relatively able to hold my own against a bunch of guys that played juniors and college (IIRC there was a big Holy Cross team).  There isn't a lot of chippiness in that league either, at least compared to a lot of the B leagues I played in.  And beware that the guy who runs the league sometimes thinks a 10:40 game in Hingham or 7:00 game in Canton is still considered "Metro Boston".
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
How big is the disparity in talent between high C/low B to high B?
 
When I started playing again I played on a C5 team, just because I didn't know how good I would be/how well I could keep up. I've routinely been in the top 5 of scoring since coming back - so that's why I was looking at making the jump up. I should never be the best player on a team - but I don't want to be the worst either. I want to be challenged without feeling over matched.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,461
Gallows Hill
You should be fine in a B league if you're top 5 in in scoring in a C. I'm a mid level C player and whenever I get in a B game it's fast for me but I can hang. Then I played a tournament with a bunch of A league guys last year and they were flying by me. I don't think the jump from C to B is all that big but the B to A jump is huge.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
Yeah I'd agree there.  Plus most B league teams have a couple of A-ish level players and some C-ish levels players, with a whole lot of in between.
 

RIFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
kenneycb said:
Anyone have tips for buying new skates at a discount? The low end ones are like $400+ and I am not looking to pay for that even though my current ones are literally falling apart.  Two of the eyelets or whatever you call them for your laces have snapped and I don't take that as a good sign.
You should check out hockey monkey.com and purehockey.com and look at clearance skates. The sizes are pretty limited by now as the model change overs happen in the spring and once the old models get discounted they go quick.

The best bet, if your local to one, of them is to go to Play it Again or 2 x Around. You can get brand new stuff there as well as used stuff.
 

behindthepen

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
6,236
Section 41
Sports Etc in Arlington always has great deals on skates during the summer.  check out their website for specific sales.
 
 
The Mort Report said:
Also, I'm planning on moving back to the New England area this winter, and I'm more concerned with finding a league as a goalie over finding a place to live.  Portland/Boston/Providence area, but my main concern is what level I should be playing at.  I live in a small town called Crested Butte in Colorado, and our comp league has a couple guys that were low pro level guys, though they usually embarrass the shit out of me.  I hold my own with D1 skaters, but I'm guessing I would be better off playing with average college level players.  What level is that considered around there?
 
One of the great things here in Mass is the Mass Goalies and Mass Skaters yahoo lists.  My guess is you could play goalie for free 5 times a week just by following the Mass Goalies list.  And then you could get a better idea of with whom and where you'd like to play.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,461
Gallows Hill
If you're going to be north of Boston I'd check out the Monkey Sports in Derry NH. It's tax free in NH and they have a huge selection of everything.
 

leftfieldlegacy

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
1,005
North Jersey
kenneycb said:
Anyone have tips for buying new skates at a discount? The low end ones are like $400+ and I am not looking to pay for that even though my current ones are literally falling apart.  Two of the eyelets or whatever you call them for your laces have snapped and I don't take that as a good sign.
 
 
RIFan said:
You should check out hockey monkey.com and purehockey.com and look at clearance skates. The sizes are pretty limited by now as the model change overs happen in the spring and once the old models get discounted they go quick.

The best bet, if your local to one, of them is to go to Play it Again or 2 x Around. You can get brand new stuff there as well as used stuff.
 
Just saw these posts. RIF covered it pretty well.
 
When my son was younger, I used Ice Warehouse for a lot of his equipment. 
 
If you wear a size 10 the RBZ 100's are available there now for $200. http://www.icewarehouse.com/CLEARANCE_SALE_Ice_Hockey_Skates_SENIOR/catpage-SALEICESR.html.
 
Hockey Monkey has them for $270 but many more sizes. http://www.hockeymonkey.com/ccm-hockey-skates-rbz-100-sr.html
 
Total Hockey is another good site to check out.
 
Any local hockey retail outlet that still has last year's models or even from two years ago in stock will be motivated to get them out the door.  
 

buzzard21

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
126
NW CT
A guy on my roller team bought a couple of these earlier in the year (replacing a Bauer Supreme One-9) he broke both of them within the course of a 12 game season. In a roller hockey league with a ball and he isnt even a big slap-shot guy. I can only imagine how long they last with a real puck.
 
 
The Mort Report said:
Skates suck right out of the box, even if you pay big, so if you aren't playing a lot I don't recommend new because you'll never break them in.  I'm 50 games in with new skates and they still hate me
 
I want to bring back something from the original post.  The company All Black Hockey Sticks, I bought a few last season.  Now I'm a goalie by trade, just started skating out 2 years ago, so I'm comparing these to lower end sticks, the best I had before these were Vapor X:60s, which ran $150 compared to $89 for ABHS.  I will say they are really light, great for someone of my level.  This issue I might see with them is for higher level players, they feel like a Chinese carbon frame I tested for my mountain bike, sure its light and cheap, but I feel like I'm going to snap it in half.
 
Also, I'm planning on moving back to the New England area this winter, and I'm more concerned with finding a league as a goalie over finding a place to live.  Portland/Boston/Providence area, but my main concern is what level I should be playing at.  I live in a small town called Crested Butte in Colorado, and our comp league has a couple guys that were low pro level guys, though they usually embarrass the shit out of me.  I hold my own with D1 skaters, but I'm guessing I would be better off playing with average college level players.  What level is that considered around there?
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,461
Gallows Hill
Did he break them on shots? I play and ref roller hockey three times a week at hockey town and I'd say 95% of the broken sticks are from guys getting pissed and smashing them into the boards. Or getting them caught in this gap in the old zamboni door that they refuse to fix. Thanks for the heads up I'll stay away from those sticks. I use Bauer Vapor X80 but their discontinued and I don't like the other Bauer sticks. I might switch to CCM.
 

buzzard21

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
126
NW CT
If memory serves, one broke on an attempted wrist shot (broke right around the hosel) and the other when a d-man slashed him about 18" from the hosel.
 
 only remember this because if his experience was good I was going to order a few for myself (I also use the one 9 but I play D and let the rippers from the point go far more than this guy)
 
 
Salem's Lot said:
Did he break them on shots? I play and ref roller hockey three times a week at hockey town and I'd say 95% of the broken sticks are from guys getting pissed and smashing them into the boards. Or getting them caught in this gap in the old zamboni door that they refuse to fix. Thanks for the heads up I'll stay away from those sticks. I use Bauer Vapor X80 but their discontinued and I don't like the other Bauer sticks. I might switch to CCM.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
I refuse to buy Synergies because the name is overused in business and I had it break two shifts into my first use of it. Piece of shit.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Appreciate the reply...was looking for something more specific, which may be silly. As in "yeah, tuesday nights at Gallo there's a good skate" or whatever. Bit of a longshot though.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,837
Anyone here into Franchise Hockey Manager, by the company that does OOTP?
 
They've apparently done a huge upgrade and are releasing FHM2 on the 28th and it'll be $29.99 for the first week before the price goes up to $39.99.
 
It has a ton of leagues you can play:
 
United States: National Hockey League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Federal Hockey League
Canada: Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League
Czech Republic: Tipsport Extraliga
England: Elite Ice Hockey League, English Premier Ice Hockey League
Finland: Liiga, Mestis, Suomi-Sarja
France: Ligue Magnus
Germany: German League
Japan: Asia League Ice Hockey
Norway: GET-Ligaen
Russia: Kontinental Hockey League
Sweden: Swedish Hockey League, Allsvenskan
Switzerland: Swiss Nationaliiga A
 
 
Some discussion of it here: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/board/fhm-2-general-discussions/
 
As the main FHM site is still showing last year's version until release day.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,050
Alamogordo
Last years was good, but if they upgraded it to be 1/3 as good as OOTP 16, this will be well worth the $30. Im always in on their stuff.
 

Monbo Jumbo

Hates the crockpot
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 5, 2003
25,231
the other Athens

 
I think this is my favorite picture ever. My brothers, James age 75 and Robert 74, playing ice hockey yesterday.

Last I heard, James was playing in two leagues, one with over 70s, and a second group of younger guys. "I really should give up that younger game, I keep getting hurt." he told me. "But they're more fun to drink with." 

Robert won a gold medal in the over 70 division of the famous Snoopy Senior Tournament a few years ago. He was a waiver wire pickup by the Calgary team. One of his teammates was so old he had won two Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs!
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
That's the best. I don't ever want to put shoulder pads or a cage back on, but the day may come when I need to. That said,  I'm not getting off the ice until they shoot me.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
With a face like yours I don't blame you! Boom. Roasted.
 
I don't think I'm ever taking the cage off.  My face is my moneymaker and the bit of added vision is not worth the risk of coming into work the next day with a nice shiner.  I have to play with shoulders in my current league but I have those Sherwood shoulder pads Thornton used to wear that are basically like wearing nothing.  Still a bit more constricting than I would prefer.
 

TFP

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2007
20,380
I made the move to a visor after years of no facemask, I'm lucky I lasted this many years without catching a puck or stick to the face. I don't think I'll ever move to a full cage, but I won't rule it out though. 
 
I'm never moving to shoulder pads though. F that.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
When you're 75, your reaction time and bone density dictates cage and shoulder pads.
 
I'll put the half shield back on at some point. Probably after I get hit in the face with a puck or stick again.
 

TheRealness

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 8, 2006
11,694
The Dirty Shire
Anybody have any suggestions to buy practice jerseys from? We need them to be able to silk screen some ads on them. Myself and another attorney up here are organizing a Pro Bono Hockey game for NH lawyers, and we want to use the jerseys to sell sponsors. The guy I've talked to up here that was recommended just does not want to give me and rough estimates, so I am looking for anyone else that can do this.

Please PM me if that is easier. Thanks.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
When I did the Fenway Skate two years ago, I got our jerseys from Hockey Monkey. They handled everything - screen printing, shipping, etc.
 
I think total cost ended up being $23 per jersey, with overnight shipping.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
Anyone else playing in the Stinky Socks tournament this weekend?

I know tonyandpals is playing in the North. I'll be playing in the south. Love hockey tournament weekends.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
SoSH Member
May 20, 2003
35,719
Deep inside Muppet Labs
You guys that have played roller hockey, what would be the equipment to have to play pick up casually? I got invited to play pickup roller hockey here and I think I'm going to do it, but I need blades and I'm unsure what people typically wear for the rest of the equipment. I assume that full ice hockey gear (which I have) isn't the custom; I see listing for roller hockey pants but there doesn't seem to be padding in them?

Should I go elbow pads, shin guards, jock/cup, and helmet and not worry about padded pants?
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,461
Gallows Hill
You guys that have played roller hockey, what would be the equipment to have to play pick up casually? I got invited to play pickup roller hockey here and I think I'm going to do it, but I need blades and I'm unsure what people typically wear for the rest of the equipment. I assume that full ice hockey gear (which I have) isn't the custom; I see listing for roller hockey pants but there doesn't seem to be padding in them?

Should I go elbow pads, shin guards, jock/cup, and helmet and not worry about padded pants?
I play in a helmet with no cage, hockey gloves, elbow pads, ice hockey shin guards, roller hockey girdle that has the cup and just enough padding that it doesn't kill when you hit the ground, and roller hockey pants. It depends on the surface, if your using a puck or ball, and the general skill level and douchey ness of the other guys you're skating with. If it's puck on a hard surface with a bunch of hacks, I'd go full cage and ice hockey pants, girdle. I play in a roller league 2 times a week and do a pickup with mostly the same guys another night on a sport court surface with a ball and I've never had an issue with my gear. Where are you playing? That rink in Portsmouth?
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
SoSH Member
May 20, 2003
35,719
Deep inside Muppet Labs
No, it's an arena in Falmouth I've never been to. I don't yet know the surface or the general skill level, although the guy who invited me is a top-notch fellow so I'm optimistic it will be low on the douchebag scale.

Should I buy roller-hockey specific sticks (with plastic blades) or can I get away with ice hockey sticks for now?

That's helpful info, thanks.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,461
Gallows Hill
No, it's an arena in Falmouth I've never been to. I don't yet know the surface or the general skill level, although the guy who invited me is a top-notch fellow so I'm optimistic it will be low on the douchebag scale.

Should I buy roller-hockey specific sticks (with plastic blades) or can I get away with ice hockey sticks for now?

That's helpful info, thanks.
Use ice hockey sticks. I think I know that rink. It's an ice rink they melt down and play roller on in the offseason. Concrete surface. If it's the place I'm thinking of I play with the guy that used to run a league out of there. His brother was the goalie for BC a few years ago. All good guys, you should be fine. A few of them play with me at hockey town after their league disbanded. I wouldn't go to the pickups they run out of the Lakeville Athletic Club. Bunch of Fall River kids that are only there to fight.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
SoSH Member
May 20, 2003
35,719
Deep inside Muppet Labs
It's not actually at Falmouth Family Ice Center, it's at a place more or less across the street from there. I've skated at Falmouth Family Ice, but I've never been to this other place. All I've got is second-hand info.
 

buzzard21

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
126
NW CT
I have been playing league roller hockey for 20+ years here in CT and I can confirm that the ice equipment is fine. You just need a pair of roller pants.
 

tonyandpals

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Lifetime Member
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Mar 18, 2004
7,856
Burlington
Anyone else playing in the Stinky Socks tournament this weekend?

I know tonyandpals is playing in the North. I'll be playing in the south. Love hockey tournament weekends.
I've been stuck down with pneumonia this week putting my tournament weekend in jeopardy. I'm livid.
 

tonyandpals

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
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Mar 18, 2004
7,856
Burlington
Yeah, score one for the z-packs. That had me back on my feet quick. Played game one on Saturday, just to get a feel of what I had for the rest of the weekend. Took it easy as we cruised to win. Sat out game two on Saturday. Figured I'd have a better chance of playing one of the possible two games on Sunday if I sat out. We cruised 9-1 without me. Played game 3 on Sunday, another 5-1 win. Felt really good. Played in the final a few hours later. Lost 5-2, which included an empty netter. They has a ringer that scored all five. Not a bad weekend.

Better than missing the semi-finals on a penalty minute tie breaker, like some people...
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
Better than missing the semi-finals on a penalty minute tie breaker, like some people...
Yea yea yea. Not my fault the oldest guy on our team took his Metamucil or whatever that morning and decided to get into a fight 5 minutes into our first game. Our entire team had 16 PIMs. He had 13 of them on one play. That was a really fun time though, and our team deserved better. Maybe next year.
 

catomatic

thinks gen turgidson is super mean!!!
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
3,390
Park Slope, Brooklyn
I refuse to buy Synergies because the name is overused in business and I had it break two shifts into my first use of it. Piece of shit.
Need a pair of new sticks and looking at HockeyMonkey RH Bauer Nexus7000s which are real cheap....... Too cheap?

I stayed with wood forever and favored a 90Flex Montreal Nitro (DMan) until they went the way of the Edsel. They were stiff, strong and lasted forever (That's what she said), and I wish they hadn't gone out of business. I'm using a Sherwood T75 True Touch now which is fine.

Anybody have reasonably-priced sticks they favor or stay away from, as a rule?
 

catomatic

thinks gen turgidson is super mean!!!
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
3,390
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Postscript:
Just got two replacement Sherwood TrueTouch T75s for $180 total at Hockey Monkey. One at $125, one at $60. Pretty reasonable, I think.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
I aim for like $70 or $80 or whatever for my sticks. Basically the low end of the one piece game. Any difference isn’t worth the added $50 or whatever.
 

catomatic

thinks gen turgidson is super mean!!!
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
3,390
Park Slope, Brooklyn
I aim for like $70 or $80 or whatever for my sticks. Basically the low end of the one piece game. Any difference isn’t worth the added $50 or whatever.
That's exactly my feeling as well, I'm not captain soft-mitts here, but I do rely on my shot from the point and I don't want some high-priced twig snapping on my third back-scratcher. ;-)

What's the book on Total One skates, got an opinion? I like the Bauer toe-box and I think they can be found for reasonable money.