Good evening pantsless internet friends and acquaintances.

So here's the deal. I've been thinking and decided I would like to play ice hockey. But I have never played before. I have played floor hockey, and that's just not good enough for me right now. (Dominating the high school gym class scene was getting boring :P) I do know how to skate, although I'm kind of like Skillz in that stopping seems to be a problem unless there is a wall. I also don't know if I know how to skate backwards. I am a 20 year old (21 next month) male living in Chicago (NW side). I was wondering if the SCH community knew about any good places for me to learn ice hockey in/near the city. I looked a few months ago, but I mostly found places where I either needed to be much younger, a little older, more experienced, or had more money. So, um...any leads? Thanks in advance, but only to those that are worthy. I know someone is going to refer me to Google, but keep in mind I am a lazy college student. 

Also, any idea on how much gear, etc. would cost me? I have skates (couple years old) and a couple sticks. Basically I need all the stuff that would keep me alive.

In case you are wondering, my real motivation for wanting to play hockey is to see if I play better than Scott.

Plus, chicks dig scars, right?