Ice Hockey

"I like hockey because its a contact sport and because you can be determined to get the puck. For example in basketball you can't say "I'm going to get tha ball!" because you can't touch any one, but in hockey you can do what ever you have to do to get the puck. Also it's probably the fastest game today, that's another reason I like it. This example is kind of strange that I'm about to say, and if you ask people who play hockey they will say the same thing, if you play hockey you develope a love for the game quikly. I can't describe how I feel but I know and I will never quit hockey because I love it, and I met people who haven't played it for years and they regret it so much its not even funny, thats all they talk about.
      I also love hockey because I am part of a team. The good thing about hockey is you stick up for each other so you become like a family. Also you meet about 15 new friends every year."

          -Rence Coassin, age 12, Hamden, Connecticut 
 
 
 

I have been playing hockey for almost twenty-five years. I joined my first team when I was Four years old. I went on to play youth hockey until I reached high school. As a senior I was elected captain of my high school team. That was an honor for me because my older brother was captain as a senior and I really looked up to him as a player. I played two years of college hockey for Southeastern Massachusetts University. I also played one year of minor league professional hockey for the Vail Mountaineers in Vail, Colorado. I am now twenty-eight years old and still play regularly. I have also been teaching kids and adults how to play the game for the last ten years. 

How does this sport help your body?
Playing ice hockey is a great way to stay in shape. Ice skating is an excellent exercise for your legs. Ice hockey also involves stickhandling and shooting which strengthen the upper body. This sport is a good way to improve your cardiovascular fitness as well. 

How does this sport help you mentally?
Hockey helps you mentally by improving your hand and foot eye coordination. The speed and quickness it takes to play the game improve your reaction time. Playing hockey and being part of a team really help you grow as a person. 

What sort of body type does a player need?
One of the good things about hockey at the youth level is there is no specific body type. The five different positions can be played by kids by kids with all body types. The three forward positions require smaller, quicker players. They have to cover more of the ice surface during the course of a game. The defensemen are usually bigger, stronger players. This allows 
the defensemen to keep opposing players away from their goal. 

What are the dangers involved in playing this sport?
There are certain risks involved in playing hockey as there are in other team sports. The speed and the contact along with the hard ice surface can lead to injuries. In recent years great strides have been made to improve the protective equipment players are required to wear. The referees together with the proper equipment are designed to lessen the frequency of these injuries. 

What equipment do you need to play this sport and how much does it cost?
Equipment these days is made to protect virtually every part of the body. A full set of equipment for a youth hockey player costs around $500.00. The two most expensive items being the skates the helmet/cage combination. 

Anything else you want to add?
The sport of ice hockey has a big part of my life since I was very young. 
Over the years I have made many friends while playing hockey. I have also 
traveled to lots of places that I probably would not have without the benefit 
of this sport. Being part of hockey teams as a youth helped me develop social 
skills and gave me confidence in my every day life. 
My experience in teaching and coaching the fundamentals of ice hockey to 
others continues to be very rewarding. It has also provided me with a source 
of  income as an adult. 
Ice hockey has been very good to me over the years. I have learned a lot 
about myself and life in general through this sport. I would greatly 
encourage both boys and girls who are looking for a fast and exciting team 
sport to try hockey. Just remember to learn how to skate well before picking 
up that stick. 

Links to Other Sites
www.nhl.com

History
It isn't known when Ice Hockey was really created. In the 1800's. kids would use field hockey sticks to hit around a tin can or a piece of wood, and sometimes even frozen horse manure. They would use a frozen lake as a rink.( The name "Rink" means course in Scottish.) By the 1890's organized 
Leagues were forming all over the state. Nowadays Ice Hockey is played in America,Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia.