Adult Hockey, Go Now 5 Minutes to Game Time
I am a regular in my adult hockey league, playing 3 nights a week with a family is what I would call a very understanding wife and kids. I respect their time and they respect mine. I respect their interests and they know when it's hockey time, it's time... which is what I am interested in.
A few years ago I decided to get back into hockey, mostly because my family and I were at a time in our lives when things were getting back to normal. Parents with 5+ year old children will understand what I mean. That also meant I have a night to go play (at first). Not being on skates for years, not playing hockey for 20 (17 if we want to be technical), and actually "exercising" meant that I was jumping on my bike and riding a little fast. I was no longer a 8-year-old boy riding down a steep hill without concern. However, and so far, it's been amazing like that hill would be.
The league I play in was mentioned to me by my brothers friend, in passing he says I should play, I looked into it and did. One night a week at first to get going, it was such a good feeling. Part of me was reliving my childhood a time when I was invincible and I thought I could fly. It meant a lot to go back there, to help me remember how to "Bangarang" again.
Pickup hockey is nothing like competitive parts of the league, at first, it appeared as if friends would play together, good friends that didn't like the chirping, hitting, bump and grind of what I expected. It was mellow, the music was playing, it was as if I could fill up my water bottle with a corona with lime and sail down the ice in a winter wonderland of hockey sticks and the sound of spit and conversation. Ah, the memories....
After a few months people that know people that know other people started talking about the league portion, how you get to play with the same people for 11 weeks, how beer after the game is a necessity, and how you get to meet people and maybe friends. I pulled the trigger, so far it's what takes up 3 out of 7 available nights. I tend to see the same people, which is a good thing, much like a co-worker that you can swear at and pass a beer to, you build friendships. It feels good when you see the same people every week that you can be yourself with, talk about life and not worry what your boss thinks of you or may hear about. It's a place to unwind, to let your hockey hair out, it's a place that is special.
While I play 3 nights a week (While I can, I am old) it means a lot when people say hello, joke around and genuinely want to say strike up a conversation that doesn't revolve around weather (A lot of hockey talk which is good), strike up a conversation that doesn't have to be serious or needful. It's about building a team, metaphorically, and how a team can grow into something more, a community.
If anyone happens upon this post and is wondering about the league, here is a link to their site. The two+ guys that run it all, very awesome humans.