CARHA Hockey recently had the privilege of speaking with Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club (B.O.H.C) President Peter Jakob and Director of Hockey Operations David Zavitz. Through a thoughtful Q&A, we explored the rich history of the club, its profound impact on the community, the events and culture that make it unique, and its vision for the future. As a long-standing member of CARHA Hockey, the B.O.H.C embodies the spirit of recreational hockey by bringing people together to create memories, build relationships, and give back in meaningful ways, making them a community club that plays with purpose.
Here’s a look into what makes the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club a shining example of how hockey can unite and uplift communities.
Founding and Growth
CH: How did the idea for the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club come about, and what were the early days like?
BOHC: In 1975, a group of local Burlington hockey players put together an “Oldtimers” team to play in a national tournament in Peterborough, Ontario. Over the course of that tournament weekend, the players and coaches of that team hatched the idea to start an over-35 men’s hockey league. The idea took off, and the B.O.H.C was born. Enthusiasm was high, and the league’s first registration drive signed up 128 players, with another 20 on the waiting list. Fees were a whopping $50 for 24 games!
CH: The Club has grown significantly since it began. What do you think has contributed most to that growth?
BOHC: Today, the B.O.H.C. has over 1,100 members, with 48 teams divided into 8 divisions. Players enjoy a 50-game schedule, with a cost per game of under $15 – about half of what other local men’s leagues charge. The Club continues to grow, with the addition in 2025 of a new “Daytime League”, a 6-team league playing on Thursday afternoons.
There are many factors that have contributed to the Club’s success, but a few notable highlights are…
- A Club, Not A League – we view the B.O.H.C. as a community service club (that just happens to play hockey!). Players, referees, timekeepers and our many volunteers are all members, and are encouraged to put fellowship, fun, and community involvement ahead of winning a hockey game.
- Matching Player Talent to Divisions – players enter the league as individuals, rather than a group of players entering the league as a team. Individuals are then slotted into one of eight divisions that are ranked by skill level of the players. Each season, players are rated and, in some cases, are moved up or down to the division that best matches their talents. This process maximizes player enjoyment by ensuring that they are always playing at the right level, which will change over time as Father Time takes the ice!
- Annual Draft – each summer, divisional captains meet to draft their team for the following season. The draft not only ensures team parity within divisions, but by mixing teams up every year, players develop new friendships. Besides the positive social aspect of this, it drastically reduces unsafe and disrespectful play. Players on opposing teams usually know one another as they’ve played together in previous years. They share a laugh after a whistle, rather than sharing animosities.
- Hector’s Lounge – to promote Club fellowship, the B.O.H.C. has our own bar! Hector’s Lounge is the post-game meeting place where teams rehydrate and laugh with the opposing team about their stellar play. Hector’s has a full bar, multiple flatscreen TVs (showing both NHL games and Live Barn telecasts of that night’s games), and facilities for division and Club meetings and barbeques.
- Safe, Fun Play – the B.O.H.C takes safe play and respect for Club members (including referees) very seriously. The Club has a “Discipline Committee” which promotes player safety and reinforces that message with player suspensions when necessary. Many Club members comment that it’s the safest men’s league they’ve ever played in.
Community Impact
CH: Community involvement seems to be a big part of the Club’s identity. How has the Club given back over the years?
BOHC: The Club has supported numerous causes over the years including fundraising for new arenas, hospital expansions, and minor sports leagues. Since 1992, volunteer wives of B.O.H.C. members have been collecting food items and donations each month before league games, with all proceeds going to the Burlington Food Bank. Since then, they have raised over $375,000 and collected more than 103,000 food items for the Food Bank. The other recipient of B.O.H.C. fundraising generosity is the Carpenter Hospice, with almost $200,000 donated to support their good work in the community.
CH: Why is it important for the Club to focus on community initiatives beyond hockey?
BOHC: From the league’s founding in 1975, giving back to the Burlington community has always been part of the Club’s mandate. There are lots of hockey leagues. There are not many community service clubs who also happen to play hockey. This dedication to our city and surrounding area is part of the “feel good” aspect of our league. It reinforces pride and dedication to the Club, and also promotes volunteerism – something that is increasingly in short supply in our society. To raise money, our members organize annual golf tournaments, collect money by walking in the Santa Claus parade, run an annual Christmas dance, organize an annual fundraiser hockey tournament, and donate team donations to the Food Bank and Carpenter Hospice.
Philosophy and Culture
CH: The Club emphasizes “Balance, Fair Play, Community”. What does this philosophy mean to your members, and how is it upheld?
BOHC: The Club’s motto of “Balance, Fair Play, Community” is the mission statement that has been a guiding principle for our players since the beginning. It reinforces what we believe in – winning is secondary, and fun, fellowship, and giving back to the community is really what we’re all about. Balance: Our divisions are balanced, our teams are balanced, and our attitudes are balanced. Fair Play: We try hard, but we have respect for the safety and wellbeing of our fellow members. Community: We’re more than a hockey league – we give back. Our league’s structure, our processes, and our enthusiastic membership keep these philosophies alive and well.
CH: How has the culture of the Club evolved over the years?
BOHC: Part of the “secret sauce” of the B.O.H.C. is that the culture of the Club hasn’t significantly changed over the years. We hope that our founders from 1975 (some of whom are still Club members today) would be proud that we continue to carry on the traditions that they started 50 years ago – Balance, Fair Play, Community.
Events and Legacy
CH: Can you share more about the tournaments and events the Club organizes? What makes them special?
BOHC: In 2025, we’ll host our 48th annual invitational tournament, which is the largest (and, in our humble opinion, the best run) over-35 tournament in Southern Ontario. 44 teams across 11 divisions (just over 700 players) will be playing, with an organizing committee that works year-round to bring it all together. Proceeds go to the Carpenter Hospice in Burlington, and a portion goes back into league coffers to help keep B.O.H.C. registration fees affordable.
Club members also step up to organize an annual golf tournament, and a Christmas dance for members and partners. Proceeds from these events go towards our charity partners.
While these events are a lot of work, our members never complain. They’re having fun putting it all together and have a sense of pride and accomplishment that they’re helping others in our community and carrying on the traditions of our Club.
CH: What are some of the most memorable moments in the Club’s history?
BOHC: The Club’s first invitational tournament was held in 1977, and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor was present for it and donated a pair of his skates to the B.O.H.C. (one of which now adorns one of our divisional trophies!). A two-time Stanley Cup winner and Hockey Hall of Famer, Cyclone Taylor was one of hockey’s first superstars, playing pro from 1906 to 1922. It was fitting that an “oldtimer” like Cyclone helped to inaugurate our oldtimer tournament.
The Club has also been instrumental in promoting the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame, an organization that recognizes active recreational hockey players who are 80 and over. B.O.H.C. has twenty-one members in the Hall – an amazing accomplishment. We’re proud that our league allows players to continue to play competitive hockey as they age. Our league structure allows them to move down through the divisions and keep on playing.
We’re looking forward to an upcoming memorable moment – our 50th anniversary in the 2025-26 season! Our Heritage Committee is already busy planning events to mark this special year in the Club’s history.
Looking Ahead
CH: What are the goals for the Club’s future, and how do you plan to keep growing while staying true to its roots?
BOHC: Our Club membership continues to grow, which we believe is a testament to our reputation in the local men’s league community that we are a fun, affordable, and safe place to play hockey. Our current board of directors and volunteers are respectful and appreciative of the traditions that we have inherited and feel an obligation to carry them forward as our league looks forward to the next fifty years of operation.
CH: What advice would you give to someone starting out in recreational hockey or looking to join the Club?
BOHC: As some guys hit the 35-year-old milestone, they’re sometimes hesitant to sign up for an “oldtimers” league like the B.O.H.C. Our advice would be – give it a shot. Our Club is full of players who say “…I wish I’d joined this league sooner!” Our members can’t believe that there is men’s league hockey that is clean, safe, and fun, but still competitive. We have divisions to match every skill level. When you add in the benefits of having our own lounge, the new friendships developed through our draft process, and the great work we do in the community, it’s more than just a men’s league.
For more information about the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club, please check out their website HERE