------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 22:54:21 EST From: DATBYTES@aol.com Subject: Re: Women's hockey in Philadelphia In a message dated 1/12/99 7:45:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, edger9297@hotmail.com writes: << Hi...I just finished school and moved back home to Philadelphia was wondering if anyone had an ideas about getting started in playing hockey around here. I'm 24, I've never played before, but I'm really interested in learning, I just don't know where to start. I've looked into some places around here but they haven't been too helpful. Any ideas? Thanks. Kim >> Hi Kim - Before you invest all the $$ in gear, etc. it may be a good idea jsut to get yourself a pair of hockey skates, and some skating lessons (If you do not know how to skate already.) Make your that when you take the lessons, it is power skating (HOCKEY skating) and not from a figure skater! Once you are comfortable on skates so that you can go around the rink a few times without crashing or tripping over your own feet, and you can stop (or at least slow down) wihtout making a dent in the boards, then you are ready for your first ice hockey clinic! (But bottom line is how ready YOU FEEL you are!) I started about 1 1/2 years ago - and had to start form scratch - never skated before. So I know, fisrthand, that it is tough. But, STICK WITH IT!! (sorry for the pun.) The rewards are well worth all the hard work, shortness of breath, naseaus feeling, and bruises. Check with local rinks - see if they have women;s hockey clinics. If not, go for co-ed. I suggest clinics before actually going for a team. It is crucial to learn the skills - skating, puck handling, shooting, etc. There is a women's team called the Philly Freeze. We once played them at the Class of '23 Rink at U Penn. Perhaps you may want to call the rink for more info. I do not have the contact info. Also - UPENN has a few women;s teams - try the intramural sports dept - see if at least you can get a contact name to point you in the right direction to get you hooked up with a team. Let me know how this works out. I am psyched for you!! You are really goign to have a lot of fun! btw- the LI Hurricanes are going to play vs. the UPENN club team on Sat, Jan 23rd 10:45 am - at the Class of '23 Rink - if you want to check it out. Jill # 77 Brooklyn Blades # 77 LI Hurricanes "Only you can prevent hockey stick fires." ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 08:06:06 -0500 From: Amy Antonucci Subject: Re: Women's hockey in Philadelphia >There is a women's team called the Philly Freeze. We once played them >at the Class of '23 Rink at U Penn. Perhaps you may want to call >the rink for more info. I do not have the contact info. I played in that same league on a team that's folded ( :( ) You can check out the Freeze's web site at http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/sting/191/index.html or just email their contact at likka@netaxs.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 12:07:30 -0500 From: "Jan de Regt" Subject: re: Hockey in Philly There is a women's team in Philly that has a B team, I will get you a person to call there. I started when I was 36, so don't feel like it's too late! I spent a whole summer going to nothing but hockey clinics with 6 and 7 year olds. If you don't skate, that's probably a good way to start. Call the rinks in your area, ask for the hockey director or a name of a person who works with the club that practices in that rink and start asking about initiation clinics or beginning hockey camps or power skating clinics. After you get all the information, then start asking if there are any age restrictions, grit your teeth, and go on out there! Some places may even have beginner hockey clinics for adults. As for power skating lessons, they usually **are** taught by figure skaters - even the instructors used by NHL teams! - because it is all about skating technique. The better your technique the more power you are going to get from *every* stride. It's all about efficiency and edge control. So when you look for power skating, figure skating instructors are fine. Just make sure it's power skating lessons, not figure skating lessons. You'll know immediately - for power skating you wear full equipment and use a stick, for figure skating lessons you don't, and you learn to skate with your arms raised out to your sides! Jan. ------------------------------