Thinking of getting back into hockey...opinions needed

[ThoseBackPages]

As the subject reads, I'm considering it.
Im at a crossroads with much in my life
And am wondering if it's a good idea
To get back into hockey (the sport)

I've been out of hockey for a very very
Long time (think Sedin twins getting
Drafted) but followed a little when Sid
And AO were rookies, so I know a little
About the '05 draft class. Fairly clueless
About 98% of the "kids" after 2005/6

Is it too late for this old dog to learn new
Tricks? Please give it to me totally honestly.

 

[pghbuccos]

Eric it's never too late to get into hockey and with the Playoffs just starting now is a great time. the game is a lot better post lockout. it's a much faster game and there are more young skilled players than ever. like Malkin, Stamkos, Kane, Toews, Tavares, Backstrom, Parise and so many many more. the clutching and grabbing has been taken out of the game as well opening up the ice more and allowing the players skills to come through. like any sport hockey still has it's problems but it improves every season and will only get better as time goes on. so obviously I say yes get back into hockey. you will not be sorry.

did you have a favorite team? favorite player?

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Thank you for the input!
Yes I had a favorite team.
As a kid in the late 70s and early 80s,
I was an islanders fan. Then when I read
About Sakic in 1987 and saw him drafted
By Quebec, I followed them from '88 until
Bowing out of the sport 10 years later.

Now that Sakics retired, I don't feel that I
Have a "favorite" team. Even though I wasn't
Following closely, I still called myself a "fan"
As long as Sakic was on the team

It's great to read that the game has "opened up"
I loved the late 80s and early 90s when 50 goal
Scorers were in the double digits! lol

Is there any particular website where I can read
About the rookies of the last 4-5 years?
Other than NHL.com lol

 

[pghbuccos]

well with a few more additions to John Tavares and Kyle Okposo the Islanders look to be an up and coming team. they just need Rick Dipietro to stay healthy and add a few more forwards who can score some goals and a couple of skilled defensemen.

I too was always a huge fan of Sakic and I miss seeing him play. there were 3 50 goal scorers this season Crosby and Steven Stamkos each had 51 and Ovechkin had 50.

as for websites you can use to learn more about some of the younger players in the league I am a big fan of The Hockey News

http://www.thehockeynews.com/

if you want to learn about some of the prospects that will be in the NHL soon you should checkout Hockey'sfuture.com

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

I'm sure other members can provide some other websites but also just read the hockey boards here. we have a small group of very knowledgeable and friendly guys and ladies here who can most likely answer any questions you have.

 

[jarcar]

Great to hear you're thinking about it. As Dave said there are a lot of highly skilled young players, it seems almost every team has a couple. The game is faster and more skilled than it was in 10 years ago. Great time to get back into it, the playoffs. The games have been great, lots of hitting, skill, and intensity.

 

[G $MONEY$]

With you being in New York and be a former Islanders fan, it might be a good time to get back into Hockey and following the New York Islanders. The Islanders are a very young team with several young talented players, with the biggest being John Tavares. Not to mention the Islanders will be drafting very high again this year in June (I believe they are drafting 4th overall), so they will have another player with a bunch of RCs coming out this next year. The Islanders still might be a few years away from seriously contending for the Stanley Cup, but they are definitely on the right track.

As far as good reading material for this years top prospects, The Hockey news future watch issue hit news stands a few weeks ago and you should have no trouble finding a copy in New York. It lists every team and their top ten prospects as well as the top 50 prospects overall in the NHL. Good reading material to learn about some of the best young players that are coming into the league.

Heres what the mags cover looks like...