Thread: Any Hockey Fans Out There????

There are quite a few no contact “old guy” leagues in the Greater Toronto Area. I guess you’d expect that.

A few years ago, one of the Toronto papers did a feature on them as a result of the number of on ice heart attacks that were occurring. Seems many of the old guys realized they couldn’t handle the body contact any longer, but hadn’t adjusted their off ice fitness routines (or post game beer and cigar consumption) to deal with their ages.

Muscle memory and recollection of previous agility and fitness doesn’t correspond to the reality of just getting older. Jeez, Guy Lafleur just had heart surgery and he was one of the smoothest skaters ever.

Every rink now has a defibrillator and someone trained in its use has to be at the rink.

Be careful out there.

Well it's not just old guys that this happens to. Jay Bouwmeester who plays for the St Louis Blues and won the Stanley cup with them last year just collapsed on the bench a week or two ago and had to be defibrillated. I can't remember his name but probably 30 years ago there was a figure skater, 27 years old, who skated doubles competitions was on the ice with his partner practicing and dropped dead. They said he was probably dead before he hit the ice.
That is a good point David. Before doing that it is probably best to get cleared by your doctor and listen to your body.

Several years ago I took part in a "refresher" hockey course taught at our local rink for older players who had been away from the game (like me) and for new guys just learning who wanted to join a rec league. I was reminded, as never before, what an aerobic exercise hockey is, and took frequent rest and water breaks. Not sure I want to go thru that again, now older and even more out of shape. But maybe its a good excuse to start jogging again...

Anybody see this? That's a silly question I guess. Probably everybody has seen this. Hockey news that makes mainstream media. This is not the first time an emergency goalie has been picked out of the crowd. It always makes big news like this when that happens.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/zambon...es-fox-friends

Well, he wasn't exactly picked out of the crowd at random being a designated emergency NHL goalie.

Bob

No, you're right that he wasn't picked out at random and that wasn't really what I meant. Most of the time it is another pro from minor league teams but in these rare cases it is someone who is or was a hobby or former college goalie from the area.

It is sure a strange thing in my mind to have an emergency league sponsored goalie.

I would think that if it is a bad night suit up one of your other players and hire a new one the next day if needed.

It seems strange to me too Tim. This only happens though when both goalies they have suited get injured which is almost never. The emergency goalie is a backup for the backup. I used to wonder why they don't have a skater switch to goalie but I guess, just like soccer that position is so different they're better off with some hobby player. At least it must be because.thats how they do it.

A lot of people have said they love hockey but have this or that issue with the NHL. Here is something grassroots to love about hockey.

https://www.uspondhockey.com/

Yes, pond hockey takes you back - like having a catch with your son in the front yard. Hasn't been cold enough long enough here this winter for the ponds to stay frozen.