By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Scott_Semmler]Scott Semmler
I ran into San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson the other day. No, I do not personally know him. I am not quite that far along in my journalistic career as of yet. However, I do work at the country club that he is a member at. So, yes, we're best friends.
Of course, I tried to sneak several peaks at him.
Can you blame me or anyone with a love for the Sharks?
This was the mastermind behind the Sharks' success year in and year out. He was the man with the power to do what he pleased with this team.
It was also his biggest time of the year. NHL Free Agency 2011.
As I passed the table where he and his family were eating lunch for the third time in the previous 20 minutes, I could not help but wonder if this man had another trade up his sleeve.
What does this man know as of this moment that the public did not?
Sure enough, two hours later, my phone started buzzing.
"Heatley Shipped to Minnesota"
The man with the power in San Jose had struck again.
The occasional fan can complain about the fact that the Sharks have traded away a homegrown talent and a past 50-goal scorer in the matter of a week. However, in the grand scheme of things, San Jose is a better team today than they were a week or so ago.
In two separate deals, the Sharks traded away Devin Setoguchi and Heatley for All-Star defenceman Brent Burns and All-Star winger Martin Havlat.
There are two reasons why Setoguchi and Heatley had to go.
With the amount of heavy scoring talent on this Sharks team, Setoguchi was never able to fully obtain his scoring potential, and he never was with players like Thornton, Pavelski and Marleau on the team. With the Wild, at least he will be able to spread his wings, so to speak.
In exchange, San Jose acquires the defensive version of much the same scenario in Burns. A player with extreme potential at a position where the Sharks needed it most.
As for Heatley, he never lived up to the potential that all of San Jose envisioned.
He came aboard as the player that was set to put them over the hump for the Stanley Cup, and he left after a year in which he scored just 26 goals - a career low.
Does Wilson have another trick up his sleeve?
Absolutely.
In the Heatley/Havlat deal, Heatley is a $7.5 million cap hit and Havlat is a $5 million cap hit.
San Jose can still make more moves this offseason, such as acquiring a veteran forward.
Also, they can now fiddle with newly acquired Burns' contract, as he becomes an unrestricted free agent after next season.
The Sharks' offseason facelift continues.
Whether or not these moves will bring success to San Jose is something we will find out in October.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?San-Jose-Sharks-GM-Doug-Wilson-Is-Doing-Work-This-Offseason&id=6402223] San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson Is Doing Work This Offseason
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
What Is the Best Way to Bet on Hockey?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Sub_Hill]Michael Sub Hill
Betting on hockey can be quite profitable once you have a better understanding of some key elements, and in this article, we are offering you some valuable tips which we hope are going to help you turn your bets into earnings.
1. First, you need to get familiarized with terms such as:
A. Puckline: Same as the point spread.
B. Moneyline: To place a wager on your favorite team to win. It works exactly the same as with any other sports, as if you place a bet on the favorite, you pay more to get less cash, and if you play the underdog, you bet less cash to make more.
C. Canadian Line: This one you won't find it in any other sport. It is a combination of the puckline (also called goal spread) with the moneyline.
2. The NHL eliminated ties, and also came up with a new shootout format, which makes it easier to place bets, and now money lines are favorites amongst bettors, leaving spreads in second place.
3. Be aware of who will be the goalies on the match, as they are the most important players in the field. Most times you should rely on the team with a veteran goalie who has achieved some recent positive results, and others you need to check on how back-up goalies are doing, as they might end up performing surprisingly well when they are given the chance on the ice.
4. The factor of fine talent vs. strength is also of notice, as even though it is quite interesting to watch a team that is playing with finesse and making precise passes, it is well known that victories in hockey rely mostly on how good a team defends, therefore, it is wiser to put your money on the physically stronger team.
5.When a team has played several games on the road, they are mostly tired and not fully focused, which will clearly affect their performance in their next road game, and when this happens in hockey, teams tend to skip practices before games in order to allow their players to rest for next day's games, and this certainly makes them vulnerable, and this gives bettors the chance of betting against such team.
Hockey is a great game to watch, and what can be better than to make some money on the side while in front of your screen. We hope the information presented here is going to help you to take better decisions when placing your wagers on this fabulous sport.
Michael Hill
Marketing & SEO
[mailto:mikehill010@gmail.com]mikehill010@gmail.com [http://www.payperheadsolutions.com/]Pay Per Head Solutions
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-the-Best-Way-to-Bet-on-Hockey?&id=6297120] What Is the Best Way to Bet on Hockey?
Betting on hockey can be quite profitable once you have a better understanding of some key elements, and in this article, we are offering you some valuable tips which we hope are going to help you turn your bets into earnings.
1. First, you need to get familiarized with terms such as:
A. Puckline: Same as the point spread.
B. Moneyline: To place a wager on your favorite team to win. It works exactly the same as with any other sports, as if you place a bet on the favorite, you pay more to get less cash, and if you play the underdog, you bet less cash to make more.
C. Canadian Line: This one you won't find it in any other sport. It is a combination of the puckline (also called goal spread) with the moneyline.
2. The NHL eliminated ties, and also came up with a new shootout format, which makes it easier to place bets, and now money lines are favorites amongst bettors, leaving spreads in second place.
3. Be aware of who will be the goalies on the match, as they are the most important players in the field. Most times you should rely on the team with a veteran goalie who has achieved some recent positive results, and others you need to check on how back-up goalies are doing, as they might end up performing surprisingly well when they are given the chance on the ice.
4. The factor of fine talent vs. strength is also of notice, as even though it is quite interesting to watch a team that is playing with finesse and making precise passes, it is well known that victories in hockey rely mostly on how good a team defends, therefore, it is wiser to put your money on the physically stronger team.
5.When a team has played several games on the road, they are mostly tired and not fully focused, which will clearly affect their performance in their next road game, and when this happens in hockey, teams tend to skip practices before games in order to allow their players to rest for next day's games, and this certainly makes them vulnerable, and this gives bettors the chance of betting against such team.
Hockey is a great game to watch, and what can be better than to make some money on the side while in front of your screen. We hope the information presented here is going to help you to take better decisions when placing your wagers on this fabulous sport.
Michael Hill
Marketing & SEO
[mailto:mikehill010@gmail.com]mikehill010@gmail.com [http://www.payperheadsolutions.com/]Pay Per Head Solutions
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-the-Best-Way-to-Bet-on-Hockey?&id=6297120] What Is the Best Way to Bet on Hockey?
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
NHL Rumors: Should the San Jose Sharks Continue Shopping?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Scott_Semmler]Scott Semmler
It seems as though someone whispered into San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson's ear after last season and told him that back-to-back Western Conference Final losses are just not enough.
So Wilson re-tooled.
Making the biggest splash of the 2011 free agency period, Wilson and the Sharks sent young scorer Devin Setoguchi and talented sniper Dany Heatley to the Minnesota Wild for All-Star defenceman Brent Burns and All-Star winger Martin Havlat in two separate deals just 10 days apart.
It was an accord that payed off for both team, as the Wild got their go-to scorers and the Sharks got their premiere defenceman and discount winger.
Would you believe San Jose if they told you they were done dealing, though?
Not as long as Wilson is still the general manager.
Because of the Heatley for Havlat trade, the Sharks now take a $5 million cap hit instead of the $7.5 million cap hit they were set to encounter if they held on to Heatley. So the Sharks let go of a failed dream in Heatley, but still manage to maintain a little dignity by acquiring the talented Havlat, as well as a lowered cap hit.
San Jose can use that decrease in cap hit in two ways. They can conserve and focus on re-signing the recently acquired Burns after next season, as he will be an unrestricted free agent, or they can keep shopping.
Here are a few rumors the San Jose Sharks have been linked to if they decide to keep shopping.
Alexander Semin
The San Jose Sharks were linked to the Washington Capitals' right winger Alexanders Semin earlier this week. The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting that the Sharks are apart of a list of teams interested in trading for Semin.
The 27-year-old tallied 54 points in just 65 games last season, but many perspective teams wonder about his production without all-world talent Alex Ovechkin on his team.
I do not doubt the Sharks are interested in Semin, his talent and skill-set is coveted by several teams now that he is said to be available. However, with the Sharks making so many moves this offseason, who is not linked to San Jose these days?
Semin is great, but who would the Sharks give up for him?
Ryane Clowe or Joe Pavelski? Maybe some top prospects, as well?
I will back Wilson up on whatever move he makes, but on the surface, the Semin trade does not entice me one bit.
Chris Drury
Drury to the Sharks is not so much a rumor as a real possibility. San Jose has not been linked to the 35-year-old center, who was just bought out by the New York Rangers before July 1, but he sure fits a need for the team.
The Sharks need a veteran forward to go with a young core of talented players. Drury scored just five points in 24 games last season, but this could be more of a move centered in the locker room than anything else.
He could be the last piece to the puzzle for the Sharks this offseason.
J.P. Dumont
Dumont, like Drury, was bought out by his former team and has become an unrestricted free agent. Another veteran forward, Dumont would give some presence in the locker room, as well as on the third or fourth line for the Sharks.
The 33-year-old did tally just 19 points in 70 games last season. However, in the two years previous to that, he put up 65 and 45 points for Nashville.
Maybe the Sharks could strike it rich in a veteran winger that another Western Conference team has given up on.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?NHL-Rumors:-Should-the-San-Jose-Sharks-Continue-Shopping?&id=6405227] NHL Rumors: Should the San Jose Sharks Continue Shopping?
It seems as though someone whispered into San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson's ear after last season and told him that back-to-back Western Conference Final losses are just not enough.
So Wilson re-tooled.
Making the biggest splash of the 2011 free agency period, Wilson and the Sharks sent young scorer Devin Setoguchi and talented sniper Dany Heatley to the Minnesota Wild for All-Star defenceman Brent Burns and All-Star winger Martin Havlat in two separate deals just 10 days apart.
It was an accord that payed off for both team, as the Wild got their go-to scorers and the Sharks got their premiere defenceman and discount winger.
Would you believe San Jose if they told you they were done dealing, though?
Not as long as Wilson is still the general manager.
Because of the Heatley for Havlat trade, the Sharks now take a $5 million cap hit instead of the $7.5 million cap hit they were set to encounter if they held on to Heatley. So the Sharks let go of a failed dream in Heatley, but still manage to maintain a little dignity by acquiring the talented Havlat, as well as a lowered cap hit.
San Jose can use that decrease in cap hit in two ways. They can conserve and focus on re-signing the recently acquired Burns after next season, as he will be an unrestricted free agent, or they can keep shopping.
Here are a few rumors the San Jose Sharks have been linked to if they decide to keep shopping.
Alexander Semin
The San Jose Sharks were linked to the Washington Capitals' right winger Alexanders Semin earlier this week. The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting that the Sharks are apart of a list of teams interested in trading for Semin.
The 27-year-old tallied 54 points in just 65 games last season, but many perspective teams wonder about his production without all-world talent Alex Ovechkin on his team.
I do not doubt the Sharks are interested in Semin, his talent and skill-set is coveted by several teams now that he is said to be available. However, with the Sharks making so many moves this offseason, who is not linked to San Jose these days?
Semin is great, but who would the Sharks give up for him?
Ryane Clowe or Joe Pavelski? Maybe some top prospects, as well?
I will back Wilson up on whatever move he makes, but on the surface, the Semin trade does not entice me one bit.
Chris Drury
Drury to the Sharks is not so much a rumor as a real possibility. San Jose has not been linked to the 35-year-old center, who was just bought out by the New York Rangers before July 1, but he sure fits a need for the team.
The Sharks need a veteran forward to go with a young core of talented players. Drury scored just five points in 24 games last season, but this could be more of a move centered in the locker room than anything else.
He could be the last piece to the puzzle for the Sharks this offseason.
J.P. Dumont
Dumont, like Drury, was bought out by his former team and has become an unrestricted free agent. Another veteran forward, Dumont would give some presence in the locker room, as well as on the third or fourth line for the Sharks.
The 33-year-old did tally just 19 points in 70 games last season. However, in the two years previous to that, he put up 65 and 45 points for Nashville.
Maybe the Sharks could strike it rich in a veteran winger that another Western Conference team has given up on.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?NHL-Rumors:-Should-the-San-Jose-Sharks-Continue-Shopping?&id=6405227] NHL Rumors: Should the San Jose Sharks Continue Shopping?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Anaheim Ducks Will Ensure You Have An Ice Time
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Longport]Lisa Longport
If you are a sports fan heading to Anaheim in California, you will likely want to take in an ice hockey match featuring the Anaheim Ducks.
Most sports fans think that their team is rather special and has a story that deserves to be told on the silver screen but life is slightly different here in California. That is because the Anaheim Ducks began life as the Mighty Ducks, starting out in 1993, a year after the Disney film was released in 1992.
That alone would be enough to send some people into a fit of excitement given how well received the film was and it is indicative of the strong sense of pride in Disney that runs through the region.
However, do not be fooled into thinking that the team is relying on a link to the film for its fame and success. This could not be further from the truth. The Anaheim Ducks are a major attraction in the southern California area.
In 2005, the Disney Corporation sold up and the Anaheim Ducks were born, just prior to the 2006/07 season, and it is fair to say that they have never looked back. When it is time for sporting rags to riches story, it is hard to overlook the 2007 Stanley Cup championship win.
Numerous stanley cup playoff appearances indicate that this is a team that is capable of competing at the highest level of ice hockey, but all Anaheim Ducks fans want to see the team that takes home the silverware.
Ice hockey is easily one of the most popular sports in the United States and as a spectator sport; it is hard to rival the passion and energy of the crowd. The Anaheim Ducks draw upon that passion and energy and provide the people in the Anaheim area a great entertainment value.
The action on the rink can be end to end, which keeps fans in and out of their seat, which is perfect for the tourist who has little experience of the game or for the long-term fan that is desperate to see their heroes in action. The Anaheim Ducks provide a fast pace exciting brand of hockey that all will enjoy.
There are many great activities to enjoy in Anaheim but a visit to the area would not be complete without a trip to see the team that has always been a mighty opponent, the Anaheim Ducks.
Lisa Longport is a contributing writer for [http://www.anaheim.us.com]http://www.anaheim.us.com. Additional information and articles on Anaheim can be obtained at [http://www.anaheim.us.com]http://www.anaheim.us.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Anaheim-Ducks-Will-Ensure-You-Have-An-Ice-Time&id=6402461] Anaheim Ducks Will Ensure You Have An Ice Time
If you are a sports fan heading to Anaheim in California, you will likely want to take in an ice hockey match featuring the Anaheim Ducks.
Most sports fans think that their team is rather special and has a story that deserves to be told on the silver screen but life is slightly different here in California. That is because the Anaheim Ducks began life as the Mighty Ducks, starting out in 1993, a year after the Disney film was released in 1992.
That alone would be enough to send some people into a fit of excitement given how well received the film was and it is indicative of the strong sense of pride in Disney that runs through the region.
However, do not be fooled into thinking that the team is relying on a link to the film for its fame and success. This could not be further from the truth. The Anaheim Ducks are a major attraction in the southern California area.
In 2005, the Disney Corporation sold up and the Anaheim Ducks were born, just prior to the 2006/07 season, and it is fair to say that they have never looked back. When it is time for sporting rags to riches story, it is hard to overlook the 2007 Stanley Cup championship win.
Numerous stanley cup playoff appearances indicate that this is a team that is capable of competing at the highest level of ice hockey, but all Anaheim Ducks fans want to see the team that takes home the silverware.
Ice hockey is easily one of the most popular sports in the United States and as a spectator sport; it is hard to rival the passion and energy of the crowd. The Anaheim Ducks draw upon that passion and energy and provide the people in the Anaheim area a great entertainment value.
The action on the rink can be end to end, which keeps fans in and out of their seat, which is perfect for the tourist who has little experience of the game or for the long-term fan that is desperate to see their heroes in action. The Anaheim Ducks provide a fast pace exciting brand of hockey that all will enjoy.
There are many great activities to enjoy in Anaheim but a visit to the area would not be complete without a trip to see the team that has always been a mighty opponent, the Anaheim Ducks.
Lisa Longport is a contributing writer for [http://www.anaheim.us.com]http://www.anaheim.us.com. Additional information and articles on Anaheim can be obtained at [http://www.anaheim.us.com]http://www.anaheim.us.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Anaheim-Ducks-Will-Ensure-You-Have-An-Ice-Time&id=6402461] Anaheim Ducks Will Ensure You Have An Ice Time
Friday, February 3, 2012
Gilbert Perreault - Still the Face of the Buffalo Sabres
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tom_Samworth]Tom Samworth
When one thinks Buffalo Sabres, one has to think Gilbert Perreault. Perreault is certainly a must for any vintage hockey cards collector. Gil's 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee rookie card #131 is worth as high as $100, according to Beckett. The Topps version of the same card is rated at a high price of $40. Very recently, the Topps version sold for $39.99 on an eBay auction.
A bit of useless trivia about the Topps version of the Gilbert Perreault rookie card - it was the second last card in the 132 card series with number 132 being a checklist. That same season, Perreault was also featured in the 144 card Dad's Cookies set.
Why is Gilbert Perreault so valuable on cardboard? As mentioned above, Perreault is synonymous with the Buffalo Sabres franchise. Gil was the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL Amateur draft. The first two picks belonged to the two new expansion teams, the Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks. The Sabres won the right to the first overall pick by picking a number on a spinning wheel. That number? 11 - Perreault's jersey number throughout his career in the National Hockey League.
Before the NHL, however, Perreault was already a star in the Ontario Hockey Association (today's OHL). Gilbert played three seasons with the Montreal Junior Canadiens. The team won the Memorial Cup in Gil's final two seasons, 1968-69 and 1969-70. In his final season, Perreault was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHA's MVP. He finished second in scoring that season to Marcel Dionne of the St. Catherines Black Hawks. Perreault had 54 goals and 121 points in just 51 regular season games. He added 38 points for the Junior Canadiens in 16 playoff games.
In his first year in the National Hockey League, 1970-71, Perreault was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie after a 38 goal performance. The only other major award that Gilbert won during his 17 year NHL career was the Lady Byng Trophy in 1972-73 after sitting just 10 minutes in the penalty box over 80 regular season games.
Gil was a member of the 1972 Team Canada Summit Series team that beat the Soviet Union. Perreault played in just two games with Canada before leaving the team. Subsequently, Gilbert's rel=nofollow hockey card in the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Team Canada subset was relegated to common card status.
Twice during his NHL career, Perreault topped the 100 point plateau. In 1975-76, his 113 points placed him third in the league behind Guy Lafleur of the Montreal Canadiens and Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers. In 1979-80, Gil's 106 points put his in fourth behind Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers and Lafleur.
A four year captain of the Buffalo Sabres from 1982-83 to 1985-86, Perreault is still the all-time Sabres leader in the following regular season categories:
� Games - 1191
� Goals - 512
� Assists - 814
� Points - 1326
Gilbert has nine NHL all-star games under his belt. He is the only Buffalo Sabre to ever wear the number 11 as it was retired after his retirement. Perreault was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. Gil will go always be thought of as one of the most exciting players in the game of hockey.
Tom is the author of http://www.vintagehockeycardsreport.com (Vintage Hockey Cards Report). Vintage Hockey Cards Report provides information on a wide range of vintage hockey cards and the players that appear on them. One focus is to provide a real eBay pricing guide based on the winning bids of vintage hockey cards on eBay auctions.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Gilbert-Perreault---Still-the-Face-of-the-Buffalo-Sabres&id=6408842] Gilbert Perreault - Still the Face of the Buffalo Sabres
When one thinks Buffalo Sabres, one has to think Gilbert Perreault. Perreault is certainly a must for any vintage hockey cards collector. Gil's 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee rookie card #131 is worth as high as $100, according to Beckett. The Topps version of the same card is rated at a high price of $40. Very recently, the Topps version sold for $39.99 on an eBay auction.
A bit of useless trivia about the Topps version of the Gilbert Perreault rookie card - it was the second last card in the 132 card series with number 132 being a checklist. That same season, Perreault was also featured in the 144 card Dad's Cookies set.
Why is Gilbert Perreault so valuable on cardboard? As mentioned above, Perreault is synonymous with the Buffalo Sabres franchise. Gil was the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL Amateur draft. The first two picks belonged to the two new expansion teams, the Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks. The Sabres won the right to the first overall pick by picking a number on a spinning wheel. That number? 11 - Perreault's jersey number throughout his career in the National Hockey League.
Before the NHL, however, Perreault was already a star in the Ontario Hockey Association (today's OHL). Gilbert played three seasons with the Montreal Junior Canadiens. The team won the Memorial Cup in Gil's final two seasons, 1968-69 and 1969-70. In his final season, Perreault was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHA's MVP. He finished second in scoring that season to Marcel Dionne of the St. Catherines Black Hawks. Perreault had 54 goals and 121 points in just 51 regular season games. He added 38 points for the Junior Canadiens in 16 playoff games.
In his first year in the National Hockey League, 1970-71, Perreault was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie after a 38 goal performance. The only other major award that Gilbert won during his 17 year NHL career was the Lady Byng Trophy in 1972-73 after sitting just 10 minutes in the penalty box over 80 regular season games.
Gil was a member of the 1972 Team Canada Summit Series team that beat the Soviet Union. Perreault played in just two games with Canada before leaving the team. Subsequently, Gilbert's rel=nofollow hockey card in the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Team Canada subset was relegated to common card status.
Twice during his NHL career, Perreault topped the 100 point plateau. In 1975-76, his 113 points placed him third in the league behind Guy Lafleur of the Montreal Canadiens and Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers. In 1979-80, Gil's 106 points put his in fourth behind Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers and Lafleur.
A four year captain of the Buffalo Sabres from 1982-83 to 1985-86, Perreault is still the all-time Sabres leader in the following regular season categories:
� Games - 1191
� Goals - 512
� Assists - 814
� Points - 1326
Gilbert has nine NHL all-star games under his belt. He is the only Buffalo Sabre to ever wear the number 11 as it was retired after his retirement. Perreault was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. Gil will go always be thought of as one of the most exciting players in the game of hockey.
Tom is the author of http://www.vintagehockeycardsreport.com (Vintage Hockey Cards Report). Vintage Hockey Cards Report provides information on a wide range of vintage hockey cards and the players that appear on them. One focus is to provide a real eBay pricing guide based on the winning bids of vintage hockey cards on eBay auctions.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Gilbert-Perreault---Still-the-Face-of-the-Buffalo-Sabres&id=6408842] Gilbert Perreault - Still the Face of the Buffalo Sabres
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
How to Buy Used Hockey Skates for the Ice
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Karen_S_Musselman]Karen S Musselman
If you're looking for a good pair of used hockey skates to get started in the game and you're pretty much just playing pickup hockey on weekends for fun, or even if you're in a small local hockey league, there are still some things you want to keep in mind when you go shopping for your skates, especially if you're looking to buy used.
Sometimes buying used hockey skates can actually cost you more money than lower end new skates in the long run.
First, let's take a look at what kind of a hockey player you are or how much hockey you're thinking about playing.
Used Skates for the Recreational Player
You love playing hockey but only for fun so you play the occasional pickup game at your local ice skating rink or you're on a small league and don't play every week. You could shop for a low-end pair of skates that will be suitable for occasional play time without spending a fortune.
Used Skates for the Amateur Hockey Player
You're in an organized sports league sponsored by your school or a private league through a sports association. Normally you have practice several times a week plus you play almost every weekend including tournaments. Amateur players need a really durable pair of hockey skates that will stand up to heavy use without sacrificing comfort.
Although there is a difference in the way these skates are made as far as durability, you may still be able to pick up a pair of used hockey skates by keeping an eye out for current hockey players that aren't going to play anymore.
Maybe they only played one season and for whatever reason - school, family or work obligations if they're older players - and they're selling their hockey skates. These skates probably don't have a whole lot of wear on them yet and you can get them a lot cheaper than forking out the money right away on a brand new pair of skates.
If this is your first time buying a pair of hockey skates, here some considerations to keep in mind when you go shopping:
First, you want to buy skates that are actually a size smaller than your regular shoe size. Hockey skates need to fit snugly so they give your ankles the most support while you're playing.
If the skates are too big, they're not going to fit properly and since skating is the foundation for playing hockey, you want to make sure your skates are doing their job or you won't play as well.
Skates that don't fit right can cause some pretty severe blisters as well as ankle injury if your skates aren't giving you the proper support.
Also, if you're a goalie, you'll require a different type of skates than the other players. Skates for goalies are made to withstand the pounding of hockey pucks so the boots have extra layers of protection. The blades are also manufactured differently, longer and flatter, to help with the quick stops that goalies have to make to stop the pucks.
Keep Those Blades Sharp
With any type of ice hockey skates, keeping the blades sharpened is a crucial part of regular maintenance. The sharpness and the previous wear of the blades is also something to consider if you're looking for used hockey skates.
If the blades on a used pair of skates are so worn that they really can't be sharpened and need to be replaced, it may cost you more to replace the blades on a used pair of boots than buying a brand new pair of skates.
And vice-versa, you may come across a used pair of skates that have perfect blades but the boots are really worn from heavy use. So do some price comparisons before you decide on buying new or used hockey skates; ask questions and do your research and you should be able to save yourself a lot of money.
About the Author: [http://cheap-hockey-sticks.com]Cheap-Hockey-Sticks.com is managed by Karen Musselman for her son, an avid inline and ice hockey player for more than 15 years. Stop by their website for more information on getting the best deals on used hockey skates, [http://cheap-hockey-sticks.com/inline-hockey-wheels.html]inline hockey wheels, sticks and other hockey gear.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Buy-Used-Hockey-Skates-for-the-Ice&id=6424102] How to Buy Used Hockey Skates for the Ice
If you're looking for a good pair of used hockey skates to get started in the game and you're pretty much just playing pickup hockey on weekends for fun, or even if you're in a small local hockey league, there are still some things you want to keep in mind when you go shopping for your skates, especially if you're looking to buy used.
Sometimes buying used hockey skates can actually cost you more money than lower end new skates in the long run.
First, let's take a look at what kind of a hockey player you are or how much hockey you're thinking about playing.
Used Skates for the Recreational Player
You love playing hockey but only for fun so you play the occasional pickup game at your local ice skating rink or you're on a small league and don't play every week. You could shop for a low-end pair of skates that will be suitable for occasional play time without spending a fortune.
Used Skates for the Amateur Hockey Player
You're in an organized sports league sponsored by your school or a private league through a sports association. Normally you have practice several times a week plus you play almost every weekend including tournaments. Amateur players need a really durable pair of hockey skates that will stand up to heavy use without sacrificing comfort.
Although there is a difference in the way these skates are made as far as durability, you may still be able to pick up a pair of used hockey skates by keeping an eye out for current hockey players that aren't going to play anymore.
Maybe they only played one season and for whatever reason - school, family or work obligations if they're older players - and they're selling their hockey skates. These skates probably don't have a whole lot of wear on them yet and you can get them a lot cheaper than forking out the money right away on a brand new pair of skates.
If this is your first time buying a pair of hockey skates, here some considerations to keep in mind when you go shopping:
First, you want to buy skates that are actually a size smaller than your regular shoe size. Hockey skates need to fit snugly so they give your ankles the most support while you're playing.
If the skates are too big, they're not going to fit properly and since skating is the foundation for playing hockey, you want to make sure your skates are doing their job or you won't play as well.
Skates that don't fit right can cause some pretty severe blisters as well as ankle injury if your skates aren't giving you the proper support.
Also, if you're a goalie, you'll require a different type of skates than the other players. Skates for goalies are made to withstand the pounding of hockey pucks so the boots have extra layers of protection. The blades are also manufactured differently, longer and flatter, to help with the quick stops that goalies have to make to stop the pucks.
Keep Those Blades Sharp
With any type of ice hockey skates, keeping the blades sharpened is a crucial part of regular maintenance. The sharpness and the previous wear of the blades is also something to consider if you're looking for used hockey skates.
If the blades on a used pair of skates are so worn that they really can't be sharpened and need to be replaced, it may cost you more to replace the blades on a used pair of boots than buying a brand new pair of skates.
And vice-versa, you may come across a used pair of skates that have perfect blades but the boots are really worn from heavy use. So do some price comparisons before you decide on buying new or used hockey skates; ask questions and do your research and you should be able to save yourself a lot of money.
About the Author: [http://cheap-hockey-sticks.com]Cheap-Hockey-Sticks.com is managed by Karen Musselman for her son, an avid inline and ice hockey player for more than 15 years. Stop by their website for more information on getting the best deals on used hockey skates, [http://cheap-hockey-sticks.com/inline-hockey-wheels.html]inline hockey wheels, sticks and other hockey gear.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Buy-Used-Hockey-Skates-for-the-Ice&id=6424102] How to Buy Used Hockey Skates for the Ice
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