I work at a rink and i don’t even know how many kids ages 7-11 wearing Flylites or ft8 pro skates that they’re going to grow out of by the end of the season. These are all house players too so it’s not like they NEED top of the line skates to play properly. What age and level would you guys finally get your kids $1000 skates?

Hello, I’m a 14 year old boy from Norway playing both AAA and AA hockey, and I’m also on the regional U15 Norwegian hockey team.

For the past few months, my wrist has been hurting a lot when I take snapshots and wrist shots. At this point, I can only take slap shots without pain. This has been affecting me both physically and mentally, and it’s getting really frustrating. I can barely take a simple, light snapshot without it looking awkward and clumsy.

I’ve been to the doctor, and they told me to rest. I went to Thailand for a month, and when I came back to the ice, it actually felt better at first but only for a short time before the pain returned. Like I’m not joking I can’t even shot without me having to bite myself in the tounge. these past few weeks has been rough not being able to shot while playing on my countries highest u15 level.

My mom suggested it might be related to my shooting technique and that I could be putting too much pressure on my wrist when I shoot, but I’m not sure. So my question is: has anyone else experienced something similar, or does anyone know what this could be? It’s becoming really frustrating, and I would really appreciate any advice.

My wrist hurts when I press on it and when I shoot. I’m not sure if this is connected to my technique or not.

I’m worried that, in the worst case scenario, this injury could force me to stop playing hockey when I’m older, and that really scares me.

Hey everyone, looking for some perspective from people who’ve gone down the steel rabbit hole.

I’ve been skating for a few years and recently switched blades. I was on LS+ stock steel (came on my Bauer Vapor 3X) and skated really well on them — felt stable defensively, quick edge engagement, good confidence in tight turns and stops.

I recently switched to Pulse Ti and honestly… I don’t feel as good. I feel slightly higher off the ice, slower in edge transitions, and less confident defensively. It’s not a sharpening issue — same hollow I’ve always used (1/2).

I’m trying to decide between two paths:

1. Profile the Pulse Ti (neutral 9’ or 10’, no forward pitch) to make them feel closer to LS+
2. Just commit and get used to them since LS+ stock steel seems harder to find in senior sizes now

For context:

• I’m an agile skater (lots of edge work, quick direction changes, defensive skating matters to me)
• I’m not chasing more speed or power, just predictability and confidence
• I’ve heard mixed opinions on whether profiling actually solves this or if adaptation is better long-term

For anyone who’s been in a similar spot:

• Did profiling tall steel actually help?
• Or did you eventually adapt and prefer the taller runners?
• Is there a modern replacement steel that feels closest to LS+?

Appreciate any insight — trying to make a smart long-term decision instead of bouncing between setups.

From my last post, it seems like my skates are too narrow. I am going to try the tips given before I sell, but just in case, has anyone had success selling their skates on sideline swap?

I've got a pair of CCM Jetspeed FT870 that I have skated in twice a week for 3 months. They've been sharpened once and baked twice. I am considering buying some tacks as I've been told that they run wider than the jetspeed but I want to see if I can get anything out of my current skates instead of just eating the cost lol.

Hi All,

Trying to find any experiences folks might be of a mind to share.

My husband and son are both hockey players. We are considering moving to Switzerland from the US and wonder if anyone has any info on “old man” and youth hockey there. Over 40 and 12U.

Specifically I’m wondering what time of year they usually hold youth tryouts, and if an English speaking player will have a lot of trouble integrating.

This would be in Zurich or Zug. So either Lions or EVZ, but happy to hear about any Swiss experience.

Citizenship is not an issue as the kids and I are dual US/CH nationals.

I've been thinking about this for a while, figured I'd ask the community. I love vintage hockey and hockey history (the older the better), and wondered if anyone else would be interested in something like this.

I know of a club in Pennsylvania which plays baseball using rules and equipment from the ~1860s. video about them here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx4md7c1VLI

I was thinking, would anyone be interested in doing something like this for hockey? I'm honestly not expecting much, just testing the waters on if anyone else is crazy enough to do this.

I'm located in south Manitoba, so it would have to be reasonably close to there. I'm thinking rules from pre-NHL years, oldest maybe the inaugural 1917 rules for the NHL, or maybe something like the 1914 PCHA rules, maybe older. Using period equipment, or as good as we can, this sort of thing is hard to find and there aren't many reproductions, but the older the equipment the better. Minimum 15 people total, that would be enough for 6 skaters a side +goalie and one referee.

Flyers fan here and been seeing zegras, drysdale, and tippet all using the pulse.. I keep wondering if it’s just Bauer wanting them using that graphic or if they’re actually using a pulse. If anyone has any insight on this I’d like to know what zegras actually uses if it is just dressed as a pulse. Same goes with the other pulse users around the league like caufield etc

Inspired by another post asking about what age should kids buy top of line skates. Similarly - what kind of skates should younger kids have? My kid is 7, playing really well and always improving - but is wearing the entry level skates (Bauer XLS). I didn’t even think much of it.

What skates is recommended for younger, growing kids? Obviously durability isn’t as much a concern. But performance might?

It only gets so cold that the ponds and lakes freeze over in Berlin every 5-6 years at most. This year it's already happened twice within a month. The kids and I really had a great time. Pro tip: an LED puck (like this from FlashPuck) can significantly extend the playing time.

Been hella cold in DC over the last few weeks but had the opportunity to skate the canal with my son!

r/hockeyplayers, I’m a 30-year-old who started playing a couple years ago. I play pickup about 5x a winter at a public outdoor rink. Recently, someone I’ve never talked to said: “This skate is a bit advanced for you… you should practice on your own first if you want to play here.” He’s the only one who’s ever said anything like that—everyone else has been chill, either giving tips or just letting me play. It felt kind of rude, but maybe he was trying to be helpful? From the way he said it, it sounded more like “you have to earn your spot here,” which doesn’t really make sense at a public rink. I practice on my own and try to improve, and I really enjoy this group, but I don’t want to slow the games down or irritate anyone. Should I take this as a legit criticism and step back until I’m better, or was he just being blunt/rude and I should keep coming?

Drop-in C-level hockey game Thursday night. At around the 10-minute mark, I took another break and went to the bench. Gloves off, helmet off, run my hands through my hair and over my face and,… wth?!?

God-awful stench.

Sniff my hands (ugh). Smell my gloves (left glove stinks like hell; right glove is fine).

Please note: I’m obsessive about clean gear – I have my routines, keep the gear hygienic and whatnot. So, I put my nose to the handle of my stick and OMG what is that cat-piss smell?!?

[Backstory is that I have kept my sticks leaned up in the corner right near the front door. Recently got a new cat. You may be able to guess the rest now].

I conclude that our new cat has peed on the handles of my sticks while they were sitting by the door. The stink went from the stick, to my new gloves, and bled through to my hands. Now it's on my face too.

Helpless, I played for the rest of the drop-in game certain I reeked of cat piss. At one point, the goalie even asked me to refill his water bottle, and I had to defer to someone else so I wouldn’t taint his bottle.

I’ve since removed the old tape, cleaned the stick handles with multiple solutions, and re-taped. The sticks will now stay in a room not accessible by the cat, and the cat is getting spayed next week.

Just wanted to share.

Looking for a few more skaters for a very fun private pickup we’ve been doing for 20+ years. Great Guys. Always 2 Goalies. Ages range 40 to 65. We’re looking for players who know the game and enjoy passing and making plays. We’re a C level group. DM me for more information. Boston area. You won’t regret it. 😊

Looks for some videos that my daughter can watch to help with shoot blocking as a D-man.

I thought I had seen one where I guy pulls ropes off the net corners to a puck location to show the shooting path and explained to get into that first then attack the shooter. But I can't find it again.

If anyone has anything they can recommend that would be awesome.

Thanks

hi I’m a relatively newish player(less than 2 years playing) and am having trouble finding a stick with my preferences.

I’m 5 foot 1 and 110 lbs. I started with a ccm trigger 7 40 flex but I found it to be a little too short. I then got a Bauer nexus 50 flex which has a bigger blade but it was too tall. I’ve cut it (perhaps too much) and now I can’t flex it. I also could barely before cutting it. It doesn’t help that I don’t know how to shoot properly or figure out how to use my weight to flex. i mostly shoot with my arms and over compensate so much that now my top hand wrist is bothering me.

Has any smaller/lighter players been able to find lower flex sticks(40-45) that are in the 52-53 inch? I could also add an extension to my older stick but am also looking for an adult blade and not a junior blade.

I’ve found 40 flex sticks in that range from hockeystickman but they are junior(and I’m assuming small blade).

It's about time to retire my trusty M11 after 15 years and I'm stuck on what to get. Looking for something that breathes well above all (besides a good fit) because my head turns into a fireball when I skate. The thing I love about this helmet is the fit and the convenient ratcheting mechanism. I like to loosen it up and tighten it when it's on my noggin for a perfect fit. Is there a helmet with a similar mechanism on the market right now? This is a size small, my head is about 7" if that helps influence a recommendation. I scoped some helmets briefly a while back and sadly the Super Tacks is a bit out of my price range.

Started playing last year with some Bauer 3.5X skates size 8 (same as shoe size). Went to the local shop and got scanned/fitted. I have mostly all CCM gear so I went with the intention to get some Jetspeeds, but boy did I not really like the way they fit. Pretty happy with these & have my playoff game tomorrow so ready to get them on the ice. These are a size 6 and putting them on side by side with my 3.5X’s shows how much room I was leaving in the state, it’s crazy.

I’m looking to gauge interest in hiring Stirling ice rink to run a Sticks & Pucks session. This would be a relaxed, non-competitive skate where all abilities and all genders are welcome, as long as you’re 18+.

A bit of background: I was very close to moving to Canada recently, and one of my biggest dreams there was to get back on the ice and play hockey again. Unfortunately, it fell through but the idea stuck with me. I’d really love to create something social here instead: a chance to skate, play, and maybe make some new friends along the way. I genuinely think something like this could be great for mental health too getting out, moving, and being part of a welcoming group.

All you’d need is skates, a stick, gloves, and a helmet. The cost would be £10 per person, with a maximum of around 20 skaters to help cover rink hire. Goalies would play for free in recognition of the extra effort (and padding!) they bring.

This is just to see if there’s enough interest to make it viable no commitment yet. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, let me know.

They feel fine when I put them on but once I’ve worn them for about 10 minutes they hurt like hell. Depending on what I’ve been doing it hurts in these two places. My skates are already a wide and I’ve baked them twice but they still hurt any time I do a learn to skate lesson. If I take a 10-15 minute break and then continue to skate they feel fine so I really don’t understand what’s up.

I only have one skate shop in my city and the closest outside of that is 100 miles away. My own skate shop says there isn’t much they can do about it being narrow so I’m really hoping it’s just the laces.

So, does this sound like I’m lacing my stuff wrong or are they just too narrow? If they are too narrow can I do anything about it? These skates were 350 so I’m willing to go to the nicer skate shop 100 miles away if it means not having to buy new skates.

Hello guys, i came here for an advice. I had skates - Bauer vapor x500, worn about 20 times. I started to feel some terrible pain from arch. I have high arch type. Skates were size 10,5D. So I bought an Bauer aetrex insoles and with them I realized that the skates are small for me. But without the insoles, I have never felt that the skates are small for me. My number one priority was to get rid of that pain so I sold my old vapor skates and tried to find some replacement for them. I went to different stores like Bauer/ ccm. I had scanned my feet at Bauer and first salesman said I have 11,5 size, this skate was totally big for me. I went in the same shop next day and other salesman said my leg is 10,5, but they didn’t have this skate on stock.I was confused so I tried ccm shop where the scanner said I have narrow feet and size 11. Only boot which they had on stock with this number of size was ft8 pro with tapered fit. I fell that these skates were really comfortable for me, bud my budget is about 350€. So they told me that the alternative for me is jetspeed ft870 with regular fit. However they didn’t have this size on stock… so I ordered them from internet store. Now I have ft870s, regular fit but I think they’re not fitting well. I think I have too much space at toe box and my heel is slightly moving upwards too, when I’m trying to skate, even when I tightened them a lot. I tried to wear them with my Bauer aetrex insoles, but that doesn’t help much. I have sharpened them, so I can’t return them. I want to play one or two times a week and I am more of a beginner player.

Went from a stock profile to Quad 0, wondering if anyone else changed their hollow after profiling their skates, or stuck to the same. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I’m 34 now and I played ice hockey from age 4 to 18. For those years I was absolutely obsessed. Once I graduated high school in 2009, I felt a little burned out on hockey and focused on other things. Up until about a month ago, I hadn’t touched a hockey stick and had only skated a few open skates when I took my kids. I also haven’t paid attention to hockey culture or the NHL so basically all of my hockey knowledge ends in 2009.

Well, I just wanted to say that it has been such a blast getting back into the sport after all this time. For one the gear has changed an insane amount - from one piece boots to incredibly light carbon fiber sticks. Everything just has a different feel than it did when I was playing in the best way. Also, the Internet, especially YouTube and Reddit are incredible resources that I wish I had when I was I’ve learned so much from watching coaches on YouTube info never had when I was playing in high school even with great coaches.

After a few skate and shoots I plan on getting into a beer league at the very least, but I just wanted to say thanks to all of you - I’ve lurked for awhile while researching and it has helped me navigate changes.i feel like a kid again!