Hey, I grew up in hockeytown. What else would you expect? Actually, I started skating around 1992. That was before all of the hype over the Red Wings. Back then and even now, it is the best workout of any sport I have ever done. It takes skill, balance, strength, and endurance in every part of your body. A wonderful mixture of both brute force and finesse. When you are skating with a good team with people you enjoy, it is definitely a great sport to play. Recently, the people I have been skating with have just been acquaintances instead of friends. It is still the best workout, but it is lacking something that it used to have.
I am a player that enjoys the sport itself, and the talent it takes to put the puck in the net (not just to see how hard we can nail the other team.) I've been skating at the local college, and am amazed by some of the talent that shows up to play. It's just a drop in session though; with a hit or miss amount of people and/or goalies. It has gotten hard to find a good team with good people lately. Hockey doesn't seem to be as popular out in Colorado.
Anyway, I play all positions. Essentially, I just love to skate. I usually play center whenever possible, here is a pic just before the face-off.
At least once a year I play goalie to retain my respect for their position. For those of you who have not played goalie before, I suggest you give it a try. It will surprise you how difficult the position actually is. For those of you who have not, and don't plan on trying goalie, cut them some slack. It is way more difficult than it looks on T.V.
I had run a hockey school in Utica, MI for several years. Anyone who is interested in learning to skate, send me an e-mail and I'll do what I can to help. That was one good thing about living in Hockeytown, everyone was getting into skating. We had mostly adults in the program, but have had students from age 16 through 75. It was designed as an entry level program for those just learning to skate, or those interested in learning the game. Hope to see you on the ice soon!