I need a new frame?

Question

(I like to make my questions sort of witty, at least I try, anyway.)
Yes, so, I'm starting up hockey this coming season (starting in college, here's hoping I get good).
My question is this:
I've been told that you really don't have to be 'big' to be good at hockey.
However, I'm 5'8", 18 and I weight.... 138 lbs.
Is it time to put a little meat on these bones?
I don't want to be flung from one side of the ice to the other.

Thanks for the help! :D

I don't weight, I weigh*

Silly grammar.

Thank you, honesty is the best policy.
I'm starting out with no check though, I'll get creamed.
I will however try to put on some muscle.
Wouldn't hurt either way.

Answer 1

You don't have to be big, but I'd put on some muscle.

I look about 120, I weigh *substantially* more than that, and even in no-check hockey it makes a huge difference on the ice. I'm hard to topple, hard to intimidate even though I'm short and as size goes relatively small.

Plus, muscle mass is power. For speed, you still need muscle, and at 5'8" 138 there's probably not a huge amount of muscle there.

If you're playing check hockey right out the gate? It's going to be rough. I wouldn't want to be that small -- I'd get obliterated.

That said, I've skated with a couple very lanky players. They were hella fast, extremely good stickhandlers and high scorers. One of them was so good the only way you could stop him was to knock him down. So it happened a lot. He still navigated traffic and scored constantly.

That said? I'd still put some muscle on. I don't think you have to go crazy about it, just do some lifting, eatsome protein, focus on strength and not necessarily size per se.

I'll be interested to see how some of the old timers answer this question, though.

Answer 2

college hockey is very physical and i know size is not everything but... 138 might just be too small unless you are a very strong skater and know how to position your body to take a check. no matter what people say being 138 pounds is going to make it very tough. i wish you the best I am just being honest becuase my friends play college hockey and they are 6'2 210 pounds and they get hit hard. so if would try putting on 25 lbs of muscle during the off season or as much as you can and work on your skating and ability to take a hit. good luck

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry too much about the weight. It seems like you are a good size now. Once you start playing, you'll probably build some muscle. Good luck!

Answer 4

You may be quicker on your skates if you stay how you are. Up to you! Good luck on the ice!