Around junior year of college, I no longer played hockey. Just as academics took over high school, so they did in college. I didn’t go to the free skate on a daily basis as I did my freshman year. Instead, I worried about my future career. I forgot how hockey could be a stress release. I was afraid I didn’t have enough time to participate in sports.
When I started my post-graduation job in Boston, my new boyfriend played approximately twice a week at several rinks in the area. He thought it was cute that I played intramurals as a young college student and I imagine he was glad I enjoyed freezing in the rink to watch him play.
For a time, I was content to watch. I knew I had become rusty. I hadn’t been on the ice in a couple years, although I did a lot of rollerblading. Being just a fan was fine by me. I spent some of my meager salary on NHL tickets.
One afternoon, the boyfriend and I went rollerblading. He wasn’t used to being on concrete, but I was in my element. I skated around swiftly, maneuvering well. Given my success on land, he offered to let me sub in his on-ice hockey game that evening.
Hahahahaha.
I made a fool of myself.
I was way out-played. I didn’t know positioning (we hadn’t done that in intramurals!) I was nervous. I was very slow. It was humiliating. But also fun.
I never played on his team again. However, I did find an all-women very-beginner league that accepted me. I became a Raven.
I finally had a real hockey bag (purchased as a gift from the amused boyfriend,) and was happy to be playing on a regular basis.
The other women on the team were lots of fun. From an airplane mechanic to a doctor, we were a diverse bunch. I met a woman whose sister eventually introduced me to my post-Boston team, the Brooklyn Blades. I met the woman who gave me two kittens, one of whom is still living with me.
I went to a tournament with the Ravens, but the majority of my time there was simply social. We’d hang out at TGIFridays after each game and eat ourselves tired. I gained weight but I enjoyed myself.
Meanwhile, I joined an intramural team over at MIT, the school where my then-boyfriend was doing graduate work. The pace was pretty slow, but I had lots of fun skating in “the tripod league.” My skating was pretty good as compared to the others, but I tired easily. And the pesky stick handling and positioning still weren’t my strong suits.
I tried my hand at goal and realized how heavy those pads are. I had a shutout for the first two periods, but met my match when an engineer who knew how to do a slapshot used it on me.
Even after that boyfriend broke up with me, I’d go to MIT’s free skate once in awhile. It was nice to be in a rink where I could putter around at my own skill level. I learned quite a lot on the Ravens, as we had actual coaches who were able to give us pointers.
While cooking one autumn evening I severed a nerve in my left index finger. Of course I couldn’t play when I had a large cast on my arm after the nerve repair surgery, but I forged ahead when I had just a splint on the one finger.It was a challenge, but I was motivated!
In Boston I had a dreary job, but an excellent pastime.
Comments (2)
What great memories!
Posted by Kyla | January 3, 2007 8:45 PM
Posted on January 3, 2007 20:45
Happy New Year! I am back from vacation and working my way around saying, "Hi!"
Posted by The Odd Mix | January 4, 2007 12:10 PM
Posted on January 4, 2007 12:10