Hockey Lessons/Classes in Calgary UPDATED to ask about Vancouver ! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

nickerjones · 06-22-2010, 09:49 PM

Hey guys I am kind of getting started early here but I am looking to improve my skating. Most of you know I am an Adult beginner at hockey and skating from my posts here. I can skate forwards/ backwards (albeit slowly), and I can stop ok on one side. I can transition from forwards to backwards but struggle transitioninig back .. I still fall a fair amount and dont mind it but I would would like to become more sturdy on the ole skates. I am pretty much Hockey addicted now and want to improve , sadly there arent any real classes or lessons offered here. I keep reading about power skating and edge work classes and would really like to check into one or take a lesson or two when I am in town for my Christmas break. I am usually there 10 days- 2 weeks. Does anyone have any experience with anything like this or any referrals ?

Thanks guys!

UPDATE:
Making my first trip to Van over thanksgiving ( the fake Canadian one as opposed to the real US one

) Anyone know anything about lessons or classes in Van?

jayswin · 06-22-2010, 10:03 PM

Your best bet in Calgary would be Rex Tucker. He does lessons all the time, and for any skill level. I'll find some more info for you.

nickerjones · 06-22-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

Your best bet in Calgary would be Rex Tucker. He does lessons all the time, and for any skill level. I'll find some more info for you.

Ok Thanks!!! Hopefully I can pick up a game or two of shinny with some CP guys so I can see how some real hockey is played .. If I suck too bad , I can also hand yall water bottles on the bench too..

jayswin · 06-22-2010, 10:12 PM

He does power skating, player development, adult hockey sessions, etc. It sounds like an adult hockey session would be the best for you...

Tucker Hockey Enterprises will deliver sessions/programs to improve skill development (i.e. power skating and player development) primarily focused towards the beginner and intermediate skill levels.

Whether a beginner or an intermediate hockey player and regardless of age, anyone can improve his/her skating ability. Willingness to learn and improve is essential – attitude is everything! Improving your technical skills will make playing hockey a more enjoyable experience for you!

It looks like his schedule doesn't go far enough yet (goes til october), but I'm sure you could fire him an email and he may already know what he's planning on doing as far as the holdiays are concerned.

http://www.tuckerhockey.com/Adult.html

jayswin · 06-22-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Ok Thanks!!! Hopefully I can pick up a game or two of shinny with some CP guys so I can see how some real hockey is played .. If I suck too bad , I can also hand yall water bottles on the bench too..

Yeah, we could definitly rent some ice when you're in town. The league we play in (HNA) usually takes a pretty long break over the holidays, so I'm sure a lot of the guys would be happy to get out for a skate.

Ironhorse · 06-23-2010, 12:17 AM

Rex Tucker for sure, if you can fit it in to your schedule.

nickerjones · 06-23-2010, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Rex Tucker for sure, if you can fit it in to your schedule.

Well my wife and Mother in law usually just shop and I have to get lost in SportChek for hours on end which isnt a bad thing.... ther eare only 3 Flames games when Im in town ( which sucks because its going to be hard to eat double digit pocket dogs when there is only 3 games instead of 6), so I am pretty free this year ... I think I could prob skip the shopping to pick up some skate lessons.

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 06-23-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Ok Thanks!!! Hopefully I can pick up a game or two of shinny with some CP guys so I can see how some real hockey is played .. If I suck too bad , I can also hand yall water bottles on the bench too..

I'll second this idea--and add that you probably won't be the only beginner. I have a couple of beginners on my rec team as well, including a guy who just decided one day to take up goaltending.

Being a beginner is awesome. It shows self-confidence and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, along with the dedication to learn something new. My hat's off--and I do kind of hope to see you out on the ice some day.

nickerjones · 06-23-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I'll second this idea--and add that you probably won't be the only beginner. I have a couple of beginners on my rec team as well, including a guy who just decided one day to take up goaltending.

Being a beginner is awesome. It shows self-confidence and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, along with the dedication to learn something new. My hat's off--and I do kind of hope to see you out on the ice some day.

Thanks... Self confidence or stupidity

take your pick HAHA but yes it does take a certain degree of confidence to get on the ice with people who have played and be willing to look like a moron. I worried about that for all of a couple stick and puck sessions, now I realized most people aren't paying attention to me anyway so who cares lol!

.. However the funny thing about goaltending is it has always intrigued me . We have a goalie getting new gear and he said if I didnt mind the smell he would just give me his old stuff . I was planning on just taking it to one of those cleaning places where they stick it in the metal container and clean it. I figure goaltending is a lot like playing 3rd base . When I got moved to 3rd base in college baseball, the coach took my glove away from me and said just knock the ball down... It was a long week of practice taking balls off the body ( thats what she said

) .

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 06-23-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Thanks... Self confidence or stupidity

take your pick HAHA but yes it does take a certain degree of confidence to get on the ice with people who have played and be willing to look like a moron. I worried about that for all of a couple stick and puck sessions, now I realized most people aren't paying attention to me anyway so who cares lol!

.. However the funny thing about goaltending is it has always intrigued me . We have a goalie getting new gear and he said if I didnt mind the smell he would just give me his old stuff . I was planning on just taking it to one of those cleaning places where they stick it in the metal container and clean it. I figure goaltending is a lot like playing 3rd base . When I got moved to 3rd base in college baseball, the coach took my glove away from me and said just knock the ball down... It was a long week of practice taking balls off the body ( thats what she said

) .

Hey, give it a try--can't hurt. Be prepared for the fact that goaltending is a very technically demanding position, but if you have the right mentality, I think it could be a lot of fun.

Plus, tons of free hockey. Goalies often don't pay for ice time.

DionPlett · 06-23-2010, 10:02 PM

Go to shinny if and as much as you can and just focus on your skating.

nickerjones · 06-24-2010, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DionPlett

Go to shinny if and as much as you can and just focus on your skating.

Yeah I skate 2-3 times a week not including games but just dont feel like I am getting better. I know I dont bend my knees enough ... Yesterday I went to stick and puck and I was trying to focus on keeping my knees bent. I just feel awkward and very off balance when I do this. Plus , just myself I can not get critiqued if I am doing something wrong. Anyone have off ice suggestions that I could use to help me with on ice balance and keeping my knees bent?

DionPlett · 06-24-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Yeah I skate 2-3 times a week not including games but just dont feel like I am getting better. I know I dont bend my knees enough ... Yesterday I went to stick and puck and I was trying to focus on keeping my knees bent. I just feel awkward and very off balance when I do this. Plus , just myself I can not get critiqued if I am doing something wrong. Anyone have off ice suggestions that I could use to help me with on ice balance and keeping my knees bent?

If you just started and are a beginner this could take some time. You have to learn and relax and just enjoy it. Don't be worrying about your knees and things like that, just let it become natural like walking because everyone has a different skating style.
One of the things you can do off the ice is working out your legs and just working out in general, it's about power and strength too. You know the saying that if you're not skating you're not in the game, is so true. When you're playing in a game or even shinny try to always keep moving with a bit of momentum so that you can accelerate quickly when it's time.
Like I said it takes time and effort and you have to work on it. I know I worked on my skating a lot and I'm a good skater both forwards and backwards. I've seen people improve quite a bit over just one season so just continue on.

nickerjones · 08-21-2010, 10:54 PM

update to ask about lessons or classes in VAN!

nickerjones · 08-31-2010, 07:55 PM

anyone?

_Q_ · 08-31-2010, 09:39 PM

I find working on your strength, especially in your legs makes a huge difference. Do squats at the gym. That helps build strength in your legs so you can keep your legs bent while skating without getting fatigued. I think the biggest deterrent to having proper form while skating is muscle fatigue. Also, do a lot of cardio. So go for a run every day and you'll notice a huge difference in your game.

What I found made the biggest difference for me however is doing stairs. Basically there's a set of stairs here in Calgary just north of the river that go up to this cliff maybe 50 or so feet high. They are really steep and seem to go on forever. Anyways, what I do is go up the stairs, 2 steps at a time while maintaining good skating form (knees bent). Do it as quickly as possible, but make sure you don't get sloppy in your form. Do it till your legs burn, then push yourself to keep doing it for maybe 30 seconds more, take a short break and do it again. I noticed my skating dramatically improved after 3 weeks in pure speed and explosiveness as well as having energy to play the entire game without getting tired.

As for skating lessons, I have no clue... I hope that helped though.

nickerjones · 09-06-2010, 10:11 PM

Anyone think this could help ?
Feedback on this place or recommendations for more in Calgary?

http://www.hockeyskillz.com/

Dion · 09-06-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Being a beginner is awesome. It shows self-confidence and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, along with the dedication to learn something new. My hat's off--and I do kind of hope to see you out on the ice some day.

Then it's okay for me to admit that I don't know how to skate? Anyway it's a long story