HOCKEY IS OUR GAME » pickup hockey

Pickup hockey rule #3 – Don’t come to hockey drunk!

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:12:07 +0000

Keep the beers for after the game.

Pickup Hockey Rule #2 – Don’t be an ice hog

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:31:42 +0000

Whether it’s open hockey, pickup hockey or a real game, nobody likes an ice hog. Keep your shifts short, skate hard and let everyone have their fair share of ice time!

Hockey Video – Don’t Kill the Goalie!

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:36:25 +0000

Hey all we decided to create the 10 rules of pickup hockey in video! Our first video Don’t Run the Goalie is all set. Watch for the upcoming videos coming soon.

Don and Derrik having some fun at the rink

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:28:37 +0000

We are working on some short videos about pickup hockey and in the process had a photographer come out and take some fun pics of us. Here are just a couple…I think they turned out great!

Don looking for a pass

Derrik playing some D

New group out of Victoria MN using Hockey Finder

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:24:52 +0000

Every Sunday evening at the Victoria Recreation Center Ice Arena you’ll find a group of adult hockey players enjoying a fun, friendly game of pickup hockey. This newly formed group of players are using www.hockeyfinder.com to help manage and promote their game. Play once, play every week…it’s up to you.

Youth and High School Pickup Hockey for about $5

Wed, 19 May 2010 01:04:49 +0000

Do you live in the Minneapolis area and have a child who plays hockey? Hockey Finder is offering organized pickup hockey during the summer for mite / squirt / peewee and high school kids. Visit http://www.hockeyfinder.com/youthhockey/ or http://www.hockeyfinder.com/HighSchool/ to sign up.

This week only players can skate for an hour for only 5 hockey credits. Regular price is 10 hockey credits.

Free Hockey Finder Bumper Magnets

Fri, 14 May 2010 16:01:09 +0000

Play at one of several Hockey Finder pickup games in the next week and receive a free Hockey Finder bumper magnet.

The following games qualify you for a free bumper magnet. Please only take one if you’re going to proudly display it.

Blake Ice Arena, Rink 1 – Fri, May 14th 2010 9:30 PM – Adult Intermediate
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1174/

Minnesota Made Ice Center, Rink Rink 2 – Sat, May 15th 2010 8:40 PM – Adult Beginner/Intermediate
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1162/

Minnesota Made Ice Center, Rink Rink 2 – Mon, May 17th 2010 10:00 PM – Adult Beginner/Intermediate
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1107/

Minnesota Made Ice Center, Rink 1 – Mon, May 17th 2010 10:00 PM – Adult Intermediate
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1178/

Blake Ice Arena, Rink 1 – Wed, May 19th 2010 5:30 PM – Jurnior Varsity
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1059/

Blake Ice Arena, Rink 1 – Wed, May 19th 2010 6:45 PM – Mites / Novice (ages 6-8)
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1074/

Minnesota Made Ice Center, Rink 2 – Wed, May 19th 2010 10:00 PM – Adult Intermediate/Advanced
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1104/

Blake Ice Arena, Rink 1 – Thu, May 20th 2010 4:30 PM – Varsity
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1051/

Blake Ice Arena, Rink 1 – Thu, May 20th 2010 5:45 PM – Squirt/Peewee
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1082/

Minnesota Made Ice Center, Rink Rink 1 – Thu, May 20th 2010 10:00 PM – Adult Intermediate
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1114/

Minnesota Made Ice Center, Rink 1 – Thu, May 20th 2010 10:00 PM – Adult Intermediate
http://www.hockeyfinder.com/skate-time/1173/

Beginners’ Guide to Pickup and Open Hockey

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:40:02 +0000

I found the following article on the Minnesotahockey.org website which I think anyone who plays pickup or open hockey should read.

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Hockey players should always be looking for more ice time. Practicing in the garage or driveway is fine, but nothing compares to lacing up your skates and playing real hockey on real ice. Stick-and-puck sessions at public rinks offer a great opportunity to get some ice time in. Players informally divide up the ice and work with coaches or in small groups. And inevitably a scrimmage breaks out — maybe evenly matched and maybe not. Five Mites against a Bantam. One Bantam and one Mite against two Squirts. You never know. The same goes for drop-in hockey. Here’s how you can be sure everyone gets the most for their time and money.

Unwritten Rules of Pickup/Open Hockey Scrimmages

* Have fun: Pickup/Open Hockey sessions are just for fun. Don’t worry if you’re not the best player out there or you don’t score a lot of goals. You are out there to learn and have fun.
* Bring a puck: The rink may not provide them, so be sure to keep a couple in your bag.
* Share the puck: In a scrimmage, you may be tempted to hog the puck, but remember that players of all ages and skill levels may be on the ice with you. Make sure everyone gets a chance to carry the puck. If you’re better than most of the players on the ice, feel free to show off your moves, but remember to also pass to your teammates. This is a great way to make sure everyone has fun, and you may just make a few friends while you are out there (everyone loves getting a pass).
* Share the ice: No one likes sitting on the bench! If everyone makes quick changes than every one will have lots of time to play. Get on the ice, skate hard for a minute, and then let another player skate. Remember, the longer you stay on the ice, the longer another player has to sit on the bench. Be fair and try to ensure each player gets equal ice time.
* Try your hardest: Some players are nervous for their first stick and puck, and think they will not be good enough. Let me tell you from experience. It does not matter how good you are, as long as you always try your hardest and never give up. If you skate hard, and try for the entire session, the other players will love you and want to have you come out and play again.
* No checking: It goes without saying that nobody wants to get hurt during a casual scrimmage with a mixed age group.

I hope these tips will help you enjoy your stick-and-puck sessions, remember to skate hard, have fun, and make friends!

Written by Kelly Anton

Beginner Adult Pickup Hockey

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:47:27 +0000

Hockey Finder is bringing more and more beginner adult pickup hockey opportunities to it’s registered users. “We’ve created partnerships with ice arenas and our registered users where everyone wins. More and more games are being offered through these partnerships and the greatest part is it’s truly a win-win-win. The arena sells tough to fill ice times, the organizers and players don’t have to worry about anything other than playing pickup hockey and Hockey Finder is growing. This is exactly what we were hoping we could do.” says Derrik Dyka co-founder of Hockeyfinder.com.

How it works is simple but will change pickup hockey forever. If you’re an arena manager or owner who’d like to partner with Hockey Finder contact Don Giroux at www.hockeyfinder.com/contact/

Players should register at www.hockeyfinder.com/register

If you currently organize a game or would like to contact Don Giroux at www.hockeyfinder.com/contact/ to find out how Hockey Finder can help you.

Twin Cities Adult Pickup Hockey

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:03:20 +0000

Hockey Finder has partnered with Minnesota Made Ice Center in Edina to bring more hockey opportunities to adult players. “The convenience of playing when I can is great! Having moved here from out of state it allowed me to find a place to play hockey and meet people in the process” says Bryce Denton CFO of IntrinXec Management. The program allows adult hockey players the ability to find pickup games which suit their skill level and schedule. It also eliminates many of the headaches which are associated with pickup hockey and/or open hockey. It’s really a three way partnership between Hockey Finder, the arena and the players where everyone wins.

To find out more go to www.hockeyfinder.com and register. Once you become a member you can look for games in your area or if you want to get more involved become an approved organizer bycontacting Don Giroux.

More and more adult pickup hockey opportunities will be added to the site as Hockey Finder grows. Encourage your friends to sign up and help get a game going in your area.