Ask Dan Question & Answer

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 Index of Subjects page)

Question #137:
Dear Dan:

I can only play roller hockey but I'm good at it. I want to play in the NHL. Can I make it on wheels? How can I improve? Richie

Dan Replies:
Dear Richie: I think you can make it to the NHL on wheels, but it will be a bit more difficult than on blades. The route is the same as for an ice skater. There are college roller hockey teams and if you were to be a stand out player on one of those teams, you might get a chance to play in the professional roller hockey leagues. If you were to stand out on one of those teams, I wouldn't be surprised if a minor league ice hockey team gave you a chance. And from there...

How do you improve? Like a concert pianist does. By hours and hours of practice - not by giving concerts (playing organized games). Shooting at a net in your driveway for an hour will give you more practice than playing in 30 games where you get to shoot 3 or 4 times in a 60 minute game. Play every chance you get, especially in pick-up games with older, bigger, better players.

And here is a quote to hang on the mirror in your bedroom. It's by my father's favorite modern day philosopher, Eric Hoffer, and it's also in the "So You Want to Play in the NHL" book.

"We are told that talent creates it's own opportunities. But it sometimes seems that intense desire not only creates own opportunities, but also it's own talent."

In other words, how bad do you want it?

I wish you well...

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