I don't have anything new to add ('cept for one more case for our not-so-scientific sample), but I can't resist chiming in. I've never been mistaken for a real hockey player :-), but I do lace up the skates (one form or another) about 90-120 times a year...mostly to play roller hockey. I'm another natural right-hander that shoots left-handed. From the first time I picked up a stick, lefty was simply more comfortable. I totally concur with other posters that feel this arrangement leads to better stickhandling and pokechecking abilities. I play left defense and, given that you can't (legally) stand up the opposition at the blueline or crush them into the boards in my league, roller hockey defense is a combination of positioning and pokechecking. I live and die by the latter. My philosophy is to overplay the inside (center), so if the oncoming player is going to get around me he/she is at least going to have to take a longer route. :-) As time passes, I'm also becoming a much better stickhandler. I can't receive a pass and finish a play for the life of me, but I can carry the puck and deliver a pass. Also, being a lefty at LD, I generally (80%+) am making the lead or breakout pass out of the defensive zone with my forehand. The primary disadvantage that I have, save for lack of natural talent, is playing the left point in the offensive zone. I don't have the classic Iafrate-MacInnis booming shot, but I enjoy ripping one from inside the blueline every now and then. However, for this I'd prefer to have the lane a right-hander at the left point would have (more toward the center of the ice). Unfortunately, if I slide too much toward the center to set myself up for a better point shot, I'm more susceptible to being beaten defensively up the side. Lastly, although it seems like most Hockey-Lers are natural righties that shoot left-handed, I believe I'm the only such player on my team. The majority of the folks I play with are 16-25 years old, and 80%-90% of them are right-handed/right shooters. I notice this because I never have to loan anyone a stick if they break theirs. :-) John H ([log in to unmask]) HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.