Bosc wrote:
Chris18 wrote:
Yes! I remember seeing Pitton on the Sound Tigers quite a few times when I'd go to games.
I've played pickup against a few guys who either had played in the NHL or were close to (Matt Herr (Bruins, Panthers and I think a few other stops) and Boo Nieves, respectively). I had no idea who they were when they showed up, but I remember watching Herr take what looked like 2 effortless strides and he was GONE. It always cracks me up when the average beer leaguer seems to truly believe they could play in the NHL.
Just as amazing than the skating to me is the puck control and calmness. Seeing my brother against the Leafs alumni, they could have their stick within 4 inches of the puck and it didn't matter. They weren't touching that puck.
Yeah, it's crazy just how much better those guys are than the average player. Just a whole other level of skill.
And poise with the puck. There's something I don't have.
I'm on 2 teams now, B & C leagues. I'm average for the C league. For B I'm well below average but score more because I just refuse to move from the slot and pick up lots of rebounds/deflections. But besides that, I barely touch the puck.
When I get it, despite all my plans otherwise, I try to unload it to a faster/better teammate ASAP. If there's no play I usually just grenade it away.
Trying hard to break the habit, but it's not easy after years of it. I had one of my co-coaches on my team for a while. I grenaded the puck one day and he yelled at me that if one of my players I'd light into them at first, then remind them that they're better than that. I said "yeah I would. But I'm NOT better than that."
Like I always say, 4th liners often make the best coaches because they teach players to be better than they were.