Numero Uno

Well, this is my first post. As you might be able to tell from my profile, I'm an ice hockey fan, specifically of the New York Rangers. Cut me and I bleed Ranger blue. Why the Rangers, when I grew up on Long Island (perhaps you've heard of the NY Islanders)? Well, when I first got excited about hockey, the New York Islanders franchise did not yet exist, so the Rangers were my hometown team. I'm not sure exactly why I was drawn to hockey, but I think it was a combination of the speed of the game, and the fact that in addition to learning how to control puck with stick one also must learn to skate, and to be an accomplished player, skating must be second nature. You must be as comfortable on ice skates as when walking around the block. It's two sports in one. I started playing street hockey as a youngster, and learned how to stick-handle and shoot before learning to skate. Slowly, over time I taught myself to skate simply by going to public skating sessions, almost daily, and imitating those I saw who seemed to know what they were doing. Finally at about age 12 I started playing organized ice hockey. I played in some kind of organized or recreational league almost every winter until a few years ago. My favorite aspect of the game is the speed and creativity with which it is possible to control and move the puck, and of course, score goals. Hockey still doesn't quite get the respect that I think it deserves, perhaps it's the presence of fighting within the game. I'll do a post on hockey and fighting some other time perhaps.

The last time I played in an organized game was during the summer 2005 American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in Minneapolis, MN. Hockey is big in Minnesota and the local organizers have twice hosted an AAS game. I missed the first one, but didn't want to miss the second. I packed my skates, shin and elbow pads, helmet, and gloves in a small sports bag, and put my stick in with the checked baggage. I was worried that I might have trouble with the stick, but they just wrapped it in a special cargo bag and it was one of the first pieces off the luggage belt. My flight was a little late, so I had to go right from the airport to the ice rink. I made it, but a little late, and missed about 10 minutes of the first period. We only had about 8-9 skaters on each team, so there was plenty of ice time, and by the end of the game I was completely exhausted. I've played several demanding sports, including track and field and soccer, but nothing is as physically demanding as hockey played at an advanced level. Anyway, it was loads of fun, and our side won the game, and I had a hand in two of our goals, getting assists on each. There were some pictures taken during the game, and here is one of me (red 13) bearing down on the goalie (Alas, I didn't score, but probably should have!).