With this post, Women’s Hockey World is going on hiatus. I have only played three hockey games since injuring my back in October. After re-injuring my back in the third game back, I am hanging up the skates until I’m 100% healthy. It’s not as much fun to write about hockey when I’m not playing, so I’m taking a break from blogging. Thanks to all for your support, comments and feedback. We’ll be back soon.
If you feel stuck in a hockey routine or are thinking twice about showing up for that 10:30 p.m. game, you might be losing your hockey mojo.
Don’t succumb! Try some of these tips to rejuvenate your love of playing hockey.
1) Crank up the tunes in the dressing room. It will energize you before the game and those rooms are big enough for dancing post-game.
2) Upgrade your equipment. Is it time to finally get a decent stick, a helmet that fits properly or gloves that don’t stink? Your family will appreciate that you’ve taken care of your next birthday present.
3) Plan a team party. Season-opener, Christmas, birthday, TGIF…any excuse will do.
4) Play with the boys. There are a growing number of co-ed hockey leagues and tournaments. My husband and I have played in a co-ed New Year’s Eve game for the past few years. Choose men who will pass to you or make a rule that only women can score.
5) Give out team awards. Everyone likes to feel special. You can have some laughs and build team spirit with awards. Our team has a Purple Heart for the best injury of the year and a stuffed gorilla for the Goon Award (most penalties – last year I think it was 6 minutes!).
6) Sub for another team. Switch it up and find another team that needs players. They’ll be happy to have you and you may pick up a few tips and tricks.
7) Watch kids play hockey. Whether it’s ankle-biters who can barely stand on skates, 8-year-olds that can skate circles around you or teenagers who still have dreams of the NHL, you’ll probably see pure joy on ice.
8) Challenge yourself. Pick one thing you want to accomplish in the next game. It could be as simple as taking a slap shot on net or it could be completing a new play you learned in practice.
9) Score more. Face it, scoring is really fun. And unless you’re a goalie, you can make chances to score. Cook up a plan with your linemates and make it happen.
10) Take your team to a tournament. It’s all the fun of a road trip PLUS hockey. Just imagine!
Have fun…and soak up every moment of fun on the ice and off.
Denise
/ March 29, 2012Don’t go away I love your post – they inspire me and make me smile. Get healthy, stay positive. Hockey injuries suck. Forever your teammate both on and off the ice. #4
Mary
/ March 29, 2012You’ve got a good thing going here Karen. Don’t stop. At least don’t stop after you’ve taken a rest. We look forward to seeing you back on the ice soon. And in the mean time, we’ll do our best to keep you interested in off ice activities with the hockey gals.
Mel
/ March 30, 2012Yes! Agreed! Don’t go!!!! Love your posts/site! All the way in Chi-Town!!!!
Mel S
JHo 32
/ March 30, 2012Say it ain’t so! This idea is so unique and so special – but I totally understand how frustrating writing about hockey must be when you’re on the injured list and can’t play! Must be like floating a perfect ganache over an amazing death-by-chocolate torte while you’re on a diet and know you can’t have any. Just tooooo frustrating!
Heal up and hurry back (to your keyboard… and the wing!!!). We’ll miss you on both.
karen27
/ March 31, 2012Thanks, ladies! I appreciate your support and kind words. We’ll be back – after all, we have to make sure that the Stanley Cupcakes meet up with the Ms Conducts and our friends in Pittsburgh and beyond. Cheers to good hockey and good health.
pghwhr
/ April 2, 2012Sorry to hear about the lingering injury but great post to fight those hockey blues. Get better soon and be good to yourself! Us Pittsburgh ladies are looking forward to more posts. (If we survive Pens-Flyers Round 1 of course. If we don’t, look for us to fling ourselves off the remains of the Igloo:)
karen27
/ April 2, 2012Thanks! Here’s hoping we can meet up at a tournament next year. And good luck to the Pens in the playoffs (until they meet the Canucks, that is). It’s so great to see Sid the Kid back on the ice. That’s just good for hockey on all levels!