And the walls were concrete so there was no give when you fell into them or couldn't stop
- J35Bacher

That's what we had, too, at Echelon. The old Skater's Choice (where there was only one entrance at one end) was the same way. Then they started making the tiled floors with actually boards and doors.

Thank you for making me cry. Damn
- flyerscup2011

I know the part with his grandpa was so (frank)ing sad. And the part where he saw his head injury after he woke up.

What a sick (frank)ing world we live in that reporters are claiming to be family, just to get a picture of an ahl player, who could've died not 12 hours earlier.

It was even worse for me, all I could do was play street hockey. Though we had two really nice rinks and the city where I grew up had a pretty involved league for kids 6-14.

After that we played unofficial adult leagues sponsored by local businesses. It was fun and pretty brutal. The league folded after too many players fought refs we were paying out of our own pockets because the players were bumholes.
- MBFlyerfan

I played 1 game with some Philly kids about 7 years ago. After playing full-contact for 2 years, not being able to touch anyone threw me for a loop. I got a warning from the ref after about 3 shifts. Just said (frank) it after that.

We tried to make our adult leagues roller, but the rinks were asphalt. It was pretty smooth, but you were still leaving layers of skin all over the place if you fell. It became not worth it.

I played roller hockey growing up for the same reason. It was fun though.
- Streit2ThePoint

Definitely was. I always thought it was more laid back than ice hockey, not as serious.

We used it to measure the boys commitment to playing hockey before investing the money. There are some fabulous little players playing roller hockey who will never see the ice.
- mayorofangrytown

By the way, is your one son still playing? I know you guys had an issue with the coach transitioning him to defense because he was older.

Don't think I did. I once played a tournament in some place that was like a multi-sport facility than had 2 big concrete rinks. They were nice, but it was weird. The rinks were close to the windows, so you'd get some glare, and it was just weird. Also, the old Deptford rink had a square corner (as well as a good foot or 2 of warped wood) which was always interesting.

Best I ever did was, as a 15-year-old, my 15/16 team played in a men's division. We beat every team pretty well, except for one team that usually beat us (and every other team) badly. We played them in the championship and lost 3-2 in a shootout. I had a Gretzky assist: chipped it over the net from behind to a teammate. Only time it ever worked.
- jmatchett383

Bridgeville Rollerplex. What a hole. Three sides were walls, low ceilings (12ft+/-) and 4 inch thick glass on the third side. My son said it was like playing in a fish bowl.

His Downingtown Rage team went to regionals each year and lost to the Gladiators. He left to play ice hockey after three years. This is his last season coming up. I have no idea what I'm going to do with my free time if he doesn't catch on with a federal league team.

It was even worse for me, all I could do was play street hockey.
- MBFlyerfan

That was us. Every day.

Our town even had a league. For some reason there was an asphalt rink, no boards just a curb, behind the local firehouse/rescue squad station. So for about 4-5 years of my youth we played in that league during the summers. Somewhere I have a picture of me in my Mylec goalie pads playing there.

I played 1 game with some Philly kids about 7 years ago. After playing full-contact for 2 years, not being able to touch anyone threw me for a loop. I got a warning from the ref after about 3 shifts. Just said (frank) it after that.
- jmatchett383

We used to have two refs who would come out and ref all three games for $75 a piece.

When one of the refs got choked (yes, choked) by one of the nuttier players, they both decided they wouldn't return. After that it became harder to find them. We started reffing games ourselves. I would ref one or two games I didn't play in, but that also became an issue because any call I made was called in to question because I was favoring my team etc. The call helped my teams position the standings blah blah blah.

We started to ban the bumholes, but it just became to much of a hassle when the police started to have to be there because of the size of the crowds. And the city got nervous because of the same reason.

We probably had 600 people spectating at our championship game. Mind you, this was an outdoor rink in Brigantine that had no stands. With people just lined up 4 and 5 deep around the entire rink screaming like it was ancient Rome.

We tried to make our adult leagues roller, but the rinks were asphalt. It was pretty smooth, but you were still leaving layers of skin all over the place if you fell. It became not worth it.
- MBFlyerfan

And your wheels last about three games

And your wheels last about three games
- Scoob

Wheels were easy to come by.
but a new set of bearings could be a killer

We used to have two refs who would come out and ref all three games for $75 a piece.

When one of the refs got choked (yes, choked) by one of the nuttier players, they both decided they wouldn't return. After that it became harder to find them. We started reffing games ourselves. I would ref one or two games I didn't play in, but that also became an issue because any call I made was called in to question because I was favoring my team etc. The call helped my teams position the standings blah blah blah.

We started to ban the bumholes, but it just became to much of a hassle when the police started to have to be there because of the size of the crowds. And the city got nervous because of the same reason.

We probably had 600 people spectating at our championship game. Mind you, this was an outdoor rink in Brigantine that had no stands. With people just lined up 4 and 5 deep around the entire rink screaming like it was ancient Rome.
- MBFlyerfan

- Scoob

- Scoob

2 teams enter, one man leaves.

- Scoob

Not too far from accurate lol.

We had/have nice rinks. Full sized boards 5 feet high with fencing around the ends. Penalty box, benches for both teams. Real nets, lines all painted nice. We used a blue line in/red line out system for offsides because of the size, which was about 1/2 that of a regulation NHL rink.

I'd trade every single nhl roster defenseman. Provided we get a minimum of a 7th rounder for each one

Mdz isn't likely to get an offer sheet. This is the way I see it playing out

Mdz: I want macd money
Hextall: I'll give you a bridge deal
Mdz: I want macd money
Hextalll: I'm qualifying you at the minimum
Mdz: I'll look for another team
*comes back after finding nobody to take him*
Mdz: I'll sign the qualifying offer and walk next year
Hextall: you'll be traded by the deadline don't worry

It is rare for an RFA who can help a team to NOT get a qualifying offer. MDZ's case last year was an unusual one.

Every year, there are a few bargain UFAs who end up having a good year. Schultz was one last year.

Overall, though, teams horde defensemen and very few decent ones make it to UFA come July 1 unless their current team has cap issues or they are simply too far apart on money.

So the short answer is that there really won't be anyone attainable out there this summer who could make a significant difference. Just need to keep developing the prospects, hope one or two become impact guys in a few years and make some smart small moves in the meantime.
- bmeltzer

Draft and develop!

By the way, is your one son still playing? I know you guys had an issue with the coach transitioning him to defense because he was older.
- jmatchett383

He played the one season on D. All it did was stop us from losing 15-5 and get it down to 6-1. I guess they felt that was more respectable. They won 1 game.

We jumped ship the next season and he decided to play for the Quakers in West Chester but it's by invitation only so by the time he was added evals were over a month prior. He played for their lower team (they ice two teams per division) and they were supposed to be bad. They broke even. He played forward all season and was 4th in the league as a first yr 18U. This season he passed thru evals and was properly placed.

This will be his varsity yr as well so after this it's over. He's had some friends drafted into the Federal League and he's hoping to lose some weight and put on some muscle this season and join them.

Bridgeville Rollerplex. What a hole. Three sides were walls, low ceilings (12ft+/-) and 4 inch thick glass on the third side. My son said it was like playing in a fish bowl.

His Downingtown Rage team went to regionals each year and lost to the Gladiators. He left to play ice hockey after three years. This is his last season coming up. I have no idea what I'm going to do with my free time if he doesn't catch on with a federal league team.
- mayorofangrytown

How about model cars?

Draft and develop!
- ob18

We already did. Let's reap some benefits man.

We already did. Let's reap some benefits man.
- mayorofangrytown

Not yet

How about model cars?
- ob18

I'm going to start painting again. What's your sitting fee per hour?

He played the one season on D. All it did was stop us from losing 15-5 and get it down to 6-1. I guess they felt that was more respectable. They won 1 game.

We jumped ship the next season and he decided to play for the Quakers in West Chester but it's by invitation only so by the time he was added evals were over a month prior. He played for their lower team (they ice two teams per division) and they were supposed to be bad. They broke even. He played forward all season and was 4th in the league as a first yr 18U. This season he passed thru evals and was properly placed.

This will be his varsity yr as well so after this it's over. He's had some friends drafted into the Federal League and he's hoping to lose some weight and put on some muscle this season and join them.
- mayorofangrytown

Can one make a living playing in the Federal League? Do you think he's be good enough to make it as a walk-on to an ECHL team?

I'm going to start painting again. What's your sitting fee per hour?
- mayorofangrytown

$1,500

I'd trade every single nhl roster defenseman. Provided we get a minimum of a 7th rounder for each one

Mdz isn't likely to get an offer sheet. This is the way I see it playing out

Mdz: I want macd money
Hextall: I'll give you a bridge deal
Mdz: I want macd money
Hextalll: I'm qualifying you at the minimum
Mdz: I'll look for another team
*comes back after finding nobody to take him*
Mdz: I'll sign the qualifying offer and walk next year
Hextall: you'll be traded by the deadline don't worry
- Tfaehner

Even with the weak FA market, chances of MDZ getting an offer sheet are slim & none. Guy had a nice season, but he's yet another 4-5 with flaws. He's got good offensive abilities that give him a bit of a bump in terms of value, but let's face it, who is going to give up a 1st or more for him