I heard about a "Vintage" hockey league in Edmonton and decided to check it out. It has become very challenging for me to keep up with the play in the Alberta Men's Hockey League. That league is for players 18 and older. It's mostly men, as the name suggests, but there are some women on teams in the lower divisions, including my Renegades. I think I am one of the oldest players in the league. I'm certainly among the slowest and least skilled. My days of playing at this level are numbered. I will continue to run the Renegades and play with the team as long as the guys will have me. But realistically, that won't be too much longer.
The vintage league plays out of the Kinsmen Twin Arena which is only about ten minutes from my house. They only play on weekday mornings, when the ice is inexpensive and available, so it is not a conflict with my Renegades team.
Players have to be at least 55 to play in this league. There are no slap shots, no body contact, and no referees. It is pretty much just an organized game of shinny. I checked in with the league and they have over 400 players, playing at three different levels. I was invited to come for a try out on November 21st. I had a great skate with a bunch of guys that play in the second of three levels. I went from playing in a league where I am the oldest and slowest player, to one where I am among the youngest and fastest. It was a nice change. Most of the guys are in their late 60's and early 70's, but there are a handful still playing that are in their 80's.
I was able to sign on with a group of guys for the rest of the season. I will now play every Wednesday morning at 8:45. They even have a private lounge area at the rink where they can hang around after the game and have $3 morning beers. Next year, if I want to, I can sign up to play more than once a week.
So for the foreseeable future I will be playing a lot of hockey. Once a week with the Vintage guys, and on average once a week with the Renegades. On top of that there is also outside hockey at Nordegg, twice a week, whenever I am out there.
The ice in Nordegg is just about ready, though they haven't started playing yet. I gave the guys a hand for a couple of mornings and helped them do the last couple of floods in advance of the games getting underway. Hopefully next time I'm out to the cottage I can start playing there as well. It seems like a lot of hockey, but there are certainly worse things that an old guy can do other than get exercise and stay healthy...!