On April 5th, we posted a story on our website about how it's never too late to start playing hockey, citing the welcoming and friendly community as the main reason that there's always a place for you to join in.
One of our members, George Pon of the Edmonton Golden Eagles, read our story and it resonated with him in a big way, as a player in a 65+ league.
A teammate of his, Reggie Morris (86 years old), had written a poem about the great game of hockey and the things we all experience while enjoying the sport, and we thought we'd share.
Thanks, Reggie and George!
The dressing room
Where all is bared
And many a story told.
A lifetime of work
Is happily shared
From the memories of the old.
Camaraderie and innocent fun
As each in his turn is the butt of a joke,
Never meant to be mean to any one,
It’s just a childish poke.
For all enjoy,
Turning from men into boys,
Playing the game we love to play
And it gives us pride ‘cause we know inside
That we’re part of a bigger team today.
Pads are on and too, the skates
And larger men step forth.
It’s kind of nice
To grace the ice
With fellows who’ll stay the course.
Well, the teams are chosen
The goalies stand guard
In their small front yards
And defy you to beat their best.
And every one tries
But the goalies pride
Lays your best shot to rest.
I can’t name them all,
We are all so alike,
Our time together is great.
We’ve joined the ranks
Of the seniors with thanks
That we’re still not too old to skate.
The game ends
With a chase for the puck
And one last rush to the net if you can.
But our time is over and it’s time for the shower
And we leave as we began.
The laughter and fun
Has brought out the sun
In the lives of a sundown crew
A McDonalds coffee and maybe a bun
But we still get a laugh or two.
Then we go separate ways
And spend our days
Like any other retired old men.
But we know in our hearts
That here’s where it starts
For the rink will beckon again.
For there are many more games to be played.
And I pray for us all, it may be just gall,
That we’re granted the time to enjoy
The last trails that we travel
On this earthly orb
And again turn from a man to a boy.
