Beer Leagues, Gear, and other Non-Pro Related Items

tonyandpals

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Mar 18, 2004
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Burlington
Pulled my groin on my last shift on Tuesday night. Was bummed as I knew I'd be out a few weeks, maybe until the tourney we're playing in first weekend of April. Now everything up here is shut down and that tournament is even in jeopardy.

Bummed for my 10yos team who lost just a few times this season and were heading into the playoffs as the top seed. That ship has probably sailed as well.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
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In the simulacrum
In a way that I am finding to be both weird and sort of despicable, my league has still not canceled our championship.

Our rink was shut down and we moved the next night to the local minor league hockey arena (since it was empty) and now that rink is shut down by the city.

But there is another rink in the area and I think because a scorekeeper, two refs and two teams of even of 20 players is under 50 people, they want to get it in. Talk about following the letter of the law, not the spirit.
 

TFP

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Dec 10, 2007
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That's insane.

We played this past Thursday, I figured leading up to it, we'd be canceled. It's 4 team double elim, this was week two, we were in the winners bracket. We lost in OT, then found out after the game the rink was shutting down and we could play 15 min running time 1 period as a "game" to finish. Everyone said fuck that.

I'm pissed there were no leagues all day and they still had us play knowing they were shutting down right when our game was over. Just fucking cancel it at that point.
 

wiffleballhero

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I live in an area with a an incredible number of rinks, relative to the population density. They all turned off their compressors. The league did nothing one way or another. Season over.
It was the right thing to do, obviously, but it is going to be a hard pill to swallow. We've never won since I've been on this team, and the way the draft works, I don't see us having a better shot any time soon.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
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I think I am going to buy some in-line skates, on-line today. I am work-from-home now for forever nearly, no rinks are going to be open for a long time and I can skate on the roads without transmitting any diseases. Gotta do what you gotta do.
 

tmracht

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Aug 19, 2009
3,070
It's actually a pretty good idea. I've been jogging a lot but in line sounds like a good idea. I haven't bought in lines since like 2000 though. And I hesitate to buy something like that online because of my crazy feet.
 

wiffleballhero

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I think I am going to buy some in-line skates
It's actually a pretty good idea

I got them. I wear Vapors on the ice, so I figured getting the bottom of the line Vapor in-line skate would be a safe bet in terms of the boot fit, and I was right. They are fantastic really, and for what I want (skating to get some exercise out on an old abandoned tennis court) they are great. I just got back actually and I think they are going to do the trick in term of maintaining some skating feel for this long spring of no ice.

Edit: this is probably obvious to people who think about such things, but hockey in-line skates are a million times better for playing hockey than what I remember from rollerblades. And, in retrospect, most in-line skates must be designed for going straight with stability, not cutting and turning like a hockey player. These Bauers are just better in that regard. Maybe the wheels are closer together or more under the toe?
 
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Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
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Jul 15, 2005
14,463
Gallows Hill
I got them. I wear Vapors on the ice, so I figured getting the bottom of the line Vapor in-line skate would be a safe bet in terms of the boot fit, and I was right. They are fantastic really, and for what I want (skating to get some exercise out on an old abandoned tennis court) they are great. I just got back actually and I think they are going to do the trick in term of maintaining some skating feel for this long spring of no ice.

Edit: this is probably obvious to people who think about such things, but hockey in-line skates are a million times better for playing hockey than what I remember from rollerblades. And, in retrospect, most in-line skates must be designed for going straight with stability, not cutting and turning like a hockey player. These Bauers are just better in that regard. Maybe the wheels are closer together or more under the toe?
It’s the hi-lo chassis and the boot being built like an ice hockey skate is the major difference. I use Mission In-line skates, Bauer bought them a few years ago. They are the same boot as the Bauer Supreme that I use in my ice league. Vapor (ice and in-line) are more for players with narrow feet and high arch. Bauer Supreme ice/Mission Inhaler in-line are built for players with wider, flatter feet.
 

TFP

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So today’s guest on Spittin Chiclets, Terry Virtue, plays against us in men’s league. He tells a story around 1:23 in about chasing a guy around - that’s our team. Pretty funny to see him telling the story nationally.

Here’s a video of him, a large middle aged man, trying to fight that kid (5’5, 160lbs prolly) who is the nicest kid imagineable for apparently skating too fast. And yes - our team has its own insta page (all in good fun).

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ltkMvH2Qg/?igshid=1lc66sa7xgyug
 

TFP

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So you guys were celebrating the touchdown goal?
Nah - we don’t do that. Plus we usually play good games against those guys, I don’t think we’ve blown them out anytime recently. If a team lets us know we’re in their head, we’ll give it to them a bit (regardless of the score). More pointedly we usually give it to specific people rather than celebrating or anything like that.

There is another team in the league that is obnoxious with cellys though. Like full fist pumps/yells/stick raises.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
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Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
I heard Virtue complaining about teams celebrating up big...he's not wrong about that one.

I was in a tourney in Burlington last summer, and we were getting waxed. We had a fun group but not too serious, we were playing a group of real try hards. We're down probably 10-3 with less than 30 seconds left when one of their players lets a full on sky scrapping clapper go from the slot and buzzes it past our goalie's ear and in. I was on that kid so quick...
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
I got an email from our league director saying RI is working on a plan to allow ranks to open. Catch is there can be a max of 10 people in the rink including rink staff. (Basically 9 skaters or a coach and 8 skaters) No showers, you can't be earlier than 15 min before and out by 15 after. They didn't give a timetable, but they are taking reservations for time slots. Typical beer league slots, so they must be setting time aside for youth and junior. I'm betting they have no issue filling the slots even at $200/hr.
 

wiffleballhero

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Yeah, seems a little sketchy. I'd be interested in an update on what this actually means (and I'm reaching the point where I'd drive to Rhode Island if there was an open stick hour available).
 

RIFan

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Rhode Island
Given the limits I think it will be basically an open ice hour. Give it a month or 2 and It would be worth it just to get a skate in.

There were a few times during one of my pick up nights where we'd only have around 8 or 9 guys. We did a little 3 on 3 cross ice and that wasn't all bad. If you go with shooter tutors and rotate 3 teams of 3 playing winners of 1st to 5 you can have a good skate.
 
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wiffleballhero

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I've maintained a pretty steady daily routine of sneaking off to my local abandoned tennis courts for a little solo skate (good exercise, gets me out of the lock down with my family).

Stick on the right is normal. Stick on the left is what I 've used out on the courts. That is the wear in just over a month.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
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Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
The NESHL is done. Curious to see if someone takes it place as there is a huge void now. I can’t imagine anyone doing worse than them but never say never. Would be amazing to see things like a schedule, not playing the same team 8 times in 10 weeks, and doing something about the dickheads throughout the league.

The letter is a good read though. Namely paragraph 3.
 

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Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,463
Gallows Hill
The NESHL is done. Curious to see if someone takes it place as there is a huge void now. I can’t imagine anyone doing worse than them but never say never. Would be amazing to see things like a schedule, not playing the same team 8 times in 10 weeks, and doing something about the dickheads throughout the league.

The letter is a good read though. Namely paragraph 3.
I was just going to post about them closing up. There are a lot of leagues like MA Hockey League that play in a ton of rinks and don’t tolerate the bullshit that a lot of guys in the NESHL pulled.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
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Dec 2, 2006
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Tuukka's refugee camp
MAHL needed a loan to keep going so not sure how solid their footing is. I’ve also found other leagues being quite variable in skill level, which I probably care about most. NESHL was the best of a bunch of bad options.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
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Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
I think one of the main problems was that the league was too big, so all sorts of nonsense took place because no one could monitor everything.
Maybe having smaller leagues will work better.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
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Jul 15, 2005
14,463
Gallows Hill
MAHL needed a loan to keep going so not sure how solid their footing is. I’ve also found other leagues being quite variable in skill level, which I probably care about most. NESHL was the best of a bunch of bad options.
I didn’t know that. It wouldn’t surprise me though if they were having the same problem that NESHL and a lot of other leagues are having, guys are just being dead beats and not paying. Leagues are floating guys letting them play on credit to keep divisions going and they’re getting fucked over.
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
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Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
View attachment 30740

I've maintained a pretty steady daily routine of sneaking off to my local abandoned tennis courts for a little solo skate (good exercise, gets me out of the lock down with my family).

Stick on the right is normal. Stick on the left is what I 've used out on the courts. That is the wear in just over a month.
Hear me out...

I just found a hockey shop in Sydney. I dropped in and the guy was excited as I'm his first walk-in in almost a month.

I went in because I wanted to buy a bunch of sticks to get the local kids and my son into the sport. Just street hockey, no skates, but I want them to have fun like I did as a kid back on the mean streets of Framingham.

So the guy only had wooden sticks in the kids' size that were right-handed. I got 4, and maybe a bigger one for myself.

Here's the question - I was going to tape them, like in your photo up top. They're playing on asphalt and we know from experience that the wood disappears quickly - these kids play cricket out the back there and go through a bat each every summer. Ideally I want these sticks to last a little longer. Should I tape them up? The guy at the shop - a Canadian - seemed horrified at the idea, but I don't care if the kids lose a little finesse... so I hit up another Canadian hockey buddy and he was also against taping. I worry they're coming from a purist standpoint. Any reason I shouldn't be taping them up?
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
Hear me out...

I just found a hockey shop in Sydney. I dropped in and the guy was excited as I'm his first walk-in in almost a month.

I went in because I wanted to buy a bunch of sticks to get the local kids and my son into the sport. Just street hockey, no skates, but I want them to have fun like I did as a kid back on the mean streets of Framingham.

So the guy only had wooden sticks in the kids' size that were right-handed. I got 4, and maybe a bigger one for myself.

Here's the question - I was going to tape them, like in your photo up top. They're playing on asphalt and we know from experience that the wood disappears quickly - these kids play cricket out the back there and go through a bat each every summer. Ideally I want these sticks to last a little longer. Should I tape them up? The guy at the shop - a Canadian - seemed horrified at the idea, but I don't care if the kids lose a little finesse... so I hit up another Canadian hockey buddy and he was also against taping. I worry they're coming from a purist standpoint. Any reason I shouldn't be taping them up?
Yes, they're being purists, but no, you shouldn't be taping them.

Get these instead.

https://hockeywraparound.com/
These will actually protect the bottom of the blade and extend the life of the sticks significantly.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
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The tape will fail almost immediately out on asphalt.

I tried taping what became that thinned out stick in the photo for the first few skates but the tape just shreds on the bottom and then you have a flap of tape on your blade, just flapping away. Tar is rougher than ice!

When I posted that photo it was near the end. A few days ago I just cut off the blade and attached a 'mylec' plastic blade to the shaft (had to sand the "plug" a bit to get it to fit, but it seems fine, poured glue in from the top). It is good for what I am doing, but playing in 100F weather it might be a little soft.

As for the wraparounds? IDK, they are probably as expensive as the sticks themselves. Those seem like a bit of a niche item -- for that rare person who really needs to use the $300 stick while out on asphalt.

For a bunch of kids playing with wooden sticks, I see a six pack of plastic blades that screw onto the shaft in your future. Use wood glue before you screw them in. I might even pick up a couple soon so that you can quickly get the first trashed stick back out there.
 

SydneySox

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Sep 19, 2005
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The Eastern Suburbs
Ok, let's pretend I'm not going to spend any more money on these sticks... can you tell me why not taping? My Canadian friend could not beyond spluttering about outrage and not the right thing to do. I'm interested.

edit - this was to TSC
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
The tape will fail almost immediately out on asphalt.

I tried taping what became that thinned out stick in the photo for the first few skates but the tape just shreds on the bottom and then you have a flap of tape on your blade, just flapping away. Tar is rougher than ice!

When I posted that photo it was near the end. A few days ago I just cut off the blade and attached a 'mylec' plastic blade to the shaft (had to sand the "plug" a bit to get it to fit, but it seems fine, poured glue in from the top). It is good for what I am doing, but playing in 100F weather it might be a little soft.

As for the wraparounds? IDK, they are probably as expensive as the sticks themselves. Those seem like a bit of a niche item -- for that rare person who really needs to use the $300 stick while out on asphalt.

For a bunch of kids playing with wooden sticks, I see a six pack of plastic blades that screw onto the shaft in your future. Use wood glue before you screw them in. I might even pick up a couple soon so that you can quickly get the first trashed stick back out there.
Awesome, this is good stuff.

Thanks. I haven't owned a hockey stick in 25 years.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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Oct 25, 2007
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Between here and everywhere.
Ok, let's pretend I'm not going to spend any more money on these sticks... can you tell me why not taping? My Canadian friend could not beyond spluttering about outrage and not the right thing to do. I'm interested.

edit - this was to TSC
wiffleball hero pretty much nailed it. Within 10-20 minutes of use (especially with younger kids who will tend to lean on their sticks a bit more) that tape is completely worn off.
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
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Rhode Island
We're being told that our men's league is going to resume the season in 2 weeks. A lot of the players are already doing pickup. There are some restrictions. In 15 min before and out 15 after, no showers and I assume a few other rules to come.

Not sure how I feel about it. I'd like to get on the ice, but it seems like an unnecessary risk.
 

TFP

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We're being told that our men's league is going to resume the season in 2 weeks. A lot of the players are already doing pickup. There are some restrictions. In 15 min before and out 15 after, no showers and I assume a few other rules to come.

Not sure how I feel about it. I'd like to get on the ice, but it seems like an unnecessary risk.
Yeah we’re hearing similar here too. Week of 7/7 start. I really miss the exercise and very much miss the camaraderie. But it feels early somehow.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
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My league starts in September for the winter. We’ll go unless the rinks remain closed but from what I can tell, the gaggle of nitwits who play in the league are all eager to start, regardless of the covid rates. I suspect we’ll see three weeks of pickup and then the county will shut down the rinks after an outbreak. I am not optimistic.
 

tonyandpals

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Mar 18, 2004
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Same general feeling here. Stinkysocks games are opening back up week of 7/6. I'm probably not going to be out there.

My two boys start a hockey clinic on Monday nights on 7/6. More station based stuff, no games. I'm okay with that.

My mens league baseball team practiced last night. I feel comfortable outside, but not ready for rink action.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
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In the simulacrum
Hockey does have a couple advantages over other sports in that players are nearly in PPE on the ice. I saw one rink advising that people should move to wearing a bubble for covid hockey. Fine by me. I still feel like the benches are going to be a real weak spot for covid preparation and hockey.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
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Jul 15, 2005
14,463
Gallows Hill
Hockey does have a couple advantages over other sports in that players are nearly in PPE on the ice. I saw one rink advising that people should move to wearing a bubble for covid hockey. Fine by me. I still feel like the benches are going to be a real weak spot for covid preparation and hockey.
I think it’s going to to take a lot of teammates policing each other. No spitting. Make sure you’re drinking out of the correct water bottle. Don’t blow snot everywhere etc.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
We start pick-up on 7/7...I don't think I'm ready for a league, but at least with a group of friends, you know everyone is going to be smart with eachother. This skate at least.
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
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Rhode Island
Team got some ice for the weekend and wanted to get everyone together for a skate and cookout in the lot after. It kills me, but I just can't do it. Doesn't seem worth the risk. I know without even saying anything to her that playing would drive my wife's anxiety about getting Covid through the roof. Seems like just about everyone else is ready to go.
 

McDrew

Set Adrift on Memory Bliss
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Apr 11, 2006
4,060
Portland, OR
Found out earlier this week that the Professional Disc Golf event in Kansas this weekend is being filmed to air on CBS Sports next month. Its not live, or even next day, but hey, its big coverage on a growing sport and I'm stoked.

On that note, if any of you RMPS regulars want to try disc golf, I'll literally buy and send a starter kit to you and tell you were a good beginner course is near you. I've probably played 100 rounds in 3 years since I started (would be more if courses had not been closed locally for the last 4 months), and its a fantastic way to get outside and have fun. Its also really inexpensive to play: my local course is in a city park (and free) and the even better courses nearby are in state parks where I only have to pay parking ($60 for 2 years).

Edit: added link
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
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Rhode Island
Our league sent out a schedule to resume the winter league starting in 2 weeks. Problem was the state guidance doesn't permit games, only practices for both youth and adult teams. They also have a rule that if any team member has a positive test the whole team must quarantine. The league has now cancelled the remainder of the season. In it's place they are scheduling "pickup" games. The teams and schedule will remain the same, but there will be no refs. Trying to get cute around the "no game" rule. Once the state gets word they are going to shut that down hard. I wouldn't be surprised if they shut down the rinks which will screw over the youth teams that are practicing during the summer. Gina may personally padlock the doors, she doesn't screw around.
 

TFP

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Our league sent out a schedule to resume the winter league starting in 2 weeks. Problem was the state guidance doesn't permit games, only practices for both youth and adult teams. They also have a rule that if any team member has a positive test the whole team must quarantine. The league has now cancelled the remainder of the season. In it's place they are scheduling "pickup" games. The teams and schedule will remain the same, but there will be no refs. Trying to get cute around the "no game" rule. Once the state gets word they are going to shut that down hard. I wouldn't be surprised if they shut down the rinks which will screw over the youth teams that are practicing during the summer. Gina may personally padlock the doors, she doesn't screw around.
Yeah - we had the "season is starting back up" followed by the "just kidding, games aren't allowed", so we're in a holding pattern. They were going to have us dress in the other rink (which has no ice in the summer) and no showers. I'm not sure how that'd go. I'm excited to get back on the ice and see the boys, but not sure I feel totally comfortable playing yet.
 

wiffleballhero

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My team has informally started practicing. A guy got ice and 2/3 of them are out there. I am not among them and if and when we start the new season, IDK ... I'm not sure I'm playing at this point. I just can't rationalize being on the bench between shifts. Can anyone say 'droplets' out there?
 

Monbo Jumbo

Hates the crockpot
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Dec 5, 2003
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the other Athens
Report from my 80 year old brother.

"This is the oldest guy in one of my hockey groups. If he is optimistic about playing again,I guess I should be."


Charles Schultz, Richard Nixon and Canada's oldest active hockey player (Vancouver Sun)

In the sweltering heat of late July, Don Renshaw was thinking about hockey. But not about the NHL playoffs.

Renshaw was wondering when he’ll be able to don skates and play himself again. Or if.


“I’m waiting to get back on the ice to see if my legs will hold up,” he said.

“I had a fall and broke a bone in my right leg, so my hockey career may be over, may not be. It depends when I put on the skates. But I think I’m going to be OK — I feel good.”

Sounds like the kind of thing many recreational hockey players go through. But Don Renshaw is no ordinary hockey player — he’s 93 years old.

This probably makes him the oldest active hockey player in Canada.

“There’s probably a lot of pickup guys (in their 90s) who pass the puck around,” he said. “But I don’t know of any other active players like I am.”

Renshaw plays wing with the UBC Old Birds, a seniors team where you have to be at least 60 to join.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
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In the simulacrum
Well, it looks like my league is going to play. I'm not so sure myself. I just finished reading the USA Hockey guidance on Covid and hockey... We'll see. I wish there was more available information or even stories related to spread -- or the lack of spread -- in recreational sports settings. I'd like to play. I'm confident that I can do the whole thing without going into a locker room, and I wear a bubble already. And yet, my better judgement says that this is nuts, even though I am in a very low prevalence area.
 

TFP

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Yeah we’re back tonight. My legs and lungs are not at all ready.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
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Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
I’ve been playing pick up twice a week for two months, and we’ve had no issues. Had a guy who had a scare at work, he got tested and took two weeks off. Everyone has been fine.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
We’ve been playing in VA for over a month now.

We get dressed in the parking lots, minus skates which go on inside (but not in the locker rooms). Same with getting undressed.

Only on ice change is if you’re killing a penalty and you take another one - it’s an automatic penalty shot. Can’t have two guys in the box at once.

It’s worked great. No cases have been linked to any rinks down here yet.