Tag Archives: Dick Dodds Hockey Academy

Adult Beginner Hockey: Just Do It!

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“Do not wait until conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes conditions perfect.” ~Alan Cohen

In case I haven't yet convinced you to take up hockey, I’ve got one more testimonial (below) from my Learn-to-Play classmate, George Lightbody, who started playing hockey at Campion Rink about 5 years ago:

Coach Dick Dodds shares his enthusiasm for hockey with Campion's Learn-to-Play group near Hanover, NH.

Coach Dick Dodds shares his enthusiasm for hockey with Campion’s Adult Learn-to-Play group.

CCM: What do you love about the Campion Learn-to-Play program with Coach Dodds?

George: “I’m not gifted enough to be able to fully capture Coach Dodds. But I find that he somehow manages to merge talent and humor and drive and compassion together. And to deliver all of those to skaters of all age groups, genders, sizes, and abilities.”

I have never heard anything but respect for him from everyone. Probably because he seems to find ways to respect each and every one of us too.

CCM: What would you say to someone considering starting hockey later in life?

George: “I’d just say ‘start’. Adult-onset hockey hits many at different times. And everyone is terrible in the beginning. Never-even-worn-skates-or-held-a-stick terrible. But it doesn’t matter. Every second you delay is just a second of fun you are missing.”

George Lightbody of Hanover, NH scores and raises his stick in victory... GOAL!

“We do not quit playing because we grow old. We grow old because we quit playing.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

***The next Learn-to-Skate, Learn-to-Play and Intermediate Hockey sessions at Campion Rink run from January 3 to March 28, 2013. Find out more and sign up online!

Adult Learn-to-Play Hockey: A Beginner’s Perpective

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Reading my interviews with longtime teammates, Ceci & Rick, you could get the (false) impression that the Campion Learn-to-Play Hockey program is packed with folks who’ve been skating already for years.

So, for a beginner’s perspective, meet one of our newest players, John Storck. A naturally athletic guy, John has coached sailing at Dartmouth since 2005, but only started playing ice hockey last winter:

Coach Dodds explains a drill to Learn-to-Play adults at Campion Rink, Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Coach Dodds explains a drill to Learn-to-Play adults at Campion Rink.

CCM: What do you love about playing hockey?

John: “Hockey combines so many aspects of other sports. It has fluidity in teamwork like soccer, lacrosse and basketball. It has physical play like football and rugby. And it provides the weightless gliding sensation found in sports like skiing and surfing. I guess I love everything about playing hockey….even back-checking!”

CCM: What do you love about the Campion Learn-to-Play program with Coach Dodds?

John: “The atmosphere. At any given session, there is a range in age of over twenty years. However, everyone is playing the game with the same attitude of a ten year old. Coach Dodds really nurtures that atmosphere well with his enthusiasm. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of.”

CCM: What would you say to someone considering starting hockey later in life?

John: “DO IT! Even if you don’t end up falling in love with the sport, there is even less of a chance that you’ll have a bad time.”

Playing hockey in my favorite red jersey from the Dick Dodds Hockey Academy for Adults at Campion Rink , near Hanover, New Hampshire.

***The next Learn-to-Skate, Learn-to-Play and Intermediate Hockey sessions at Campion Rink run from January 3 to March 28, 2013. Find out more and sign up online!

What’s So Great About Campion’s Learn-to-Play Hockey Program?

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Tonight, I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve… Tomorrow morning, I start my 6th season at the Dick Dodds Hockey Academy. I can hardly wait!

What’s so great about the adult Learn-to-Play Hockey program at Campion Rink, anyway? Just ask Rick Sayles, one of our group’s earliest skaters:

The Campion Rink Learn-To-Play group finishes the year with a 7 game series in April.

Campion’s 2012 Learn-To-Play Group (that’s Rick on my right, in the white DDHA jersey).

CCM: How long have you been with the Learn-to-Play program at Campion Rink?

Rick: “I hadn’t skated before the DDHA which I started when we moved to Hanover about 7 years ago (gosh how time flies)!”

CCM: What do you love about the Campion Learn-to-Play program with Coach Dodds?

Rick: “Coach Dodds brings his passion for the game of hockey and his enthusiasm for coaching to each and every class. When you mix that with the great game of hockey, you have a winning combo – great fun and a great workout!”

CCM: What would you say to someone considering starting hockey later in life?

Rick: “As Dick has said – just do it! The learning curve is steep which is wonderful. This means you get much better very quickly. How many other things can you get better at later in life that are this much fun?”

The Campion Rink Learn-To-Play group finishes the year with a 7 game series in April.

You don’t have to be crazy to play hockey (but it helps!)…

***The next Learn-to-Skate, Learn-to-Play and Intermediate Hockey sessions at Campion Rink run from January 3 to March 28, 2013. Find out more and sign up online!