Wonder35

Chico, I had total knee replacement in January 2018 at age 68. It had been a long time coming, following numerous nips and slashes (meniscus pieces and arthroscopic probes). My surgeon was against a return to the nets, explaining that a new knee joint was designed for North to South movements while East to West - not so much. As one may surmise from my age, I never learned to play goal on my knees. A stand up style has proven to be somewhat effective following my knee replacement. Has my game improved - not really. Am I in as much off ice pain - definitely not. Can I still bathe in the dressing room joy and general BS - you bet. My expectations have been met but I also deliberately set the bar low. Good luck, Steve, still playing.

Good points Chenner. I used to use hockey to stay in reasonable shape. But now it takes a maintenance of a specific weight range, daily yoga, lots of biking and aquafit classes for me to be able to play hockey. Without these stretching and breathing exercises it wouldn't happen. I sought the assistance of a Physiotherapist, Registered Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor who each put together a program which suited my body's potential and physical requirements. Folks, I realize that in many cases I am preaching to the choir as some of you discovered these fitness specialists way before me.

There is no doubt that I was out of hockey in 2004. We moved across Canada in 2006 as a major component in our retirement plans (Southern Ontario to Kelowna, BC). My gear remained in our son's basement back east, my decision due to osteoarthritis plus the need for a new L hip replacement. Within 6 weeks of our arrival I heard of a 55+ hockey team in need of a spare goaltender. Two boxes, containing my Vaughns, Grafs, Harrison and assorted pieces arrived via Canada Post within 10 days. A combination of a hot dry climate (removed some of the arthritic pain), no longer a shift worker and a wonderful bunch of hockey players (good and not so good skill levels) welcomed this kid to their team. Thus ends my story and the reasons why this 1949er is still playing 70-80 games per year (COVID-19 restrictions exempt). Granted, I was no longer playing in a competitive division, although tournaments allow us to still get that fever back. But 3 mornings a week from early September to late April we get to strap on the gear and have a blast. I can no longer compete at my 40 year old level and have become comfortable with that. I think that this post is probably the 139th time I have bored y'all with my still in the game story. I'll now give you a heads-up that there will most likely be a 140th version, old guy memory.

Pierre Mcguire accepts a job with the Senators. Great news, less TV time and isn't that a blessing? https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/senators-hire-pierre-mcguire-senior-vice-president-player-development/

For most of my hockey life there was no such thing as a Goalie Cut size. One learned to live with a tight jersey that hung to the knees (XL, even XXL). I have come to like a size 58GC, loose fitting without the skirt look.

Killed by mortar like fireworks, massive chest trauma. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/blue-jackets-goaltender-matiss-kivlenieks-dies-age-24/

Yup, I can relate. In the mid 1980's I got a Greg Harrison combo mask. Before that I had worn every conceivable type of helmet/cage, solid fibreglass Jacques Plante Fibrosport, baseball catcher's mask and a whole bunch more that I have intentionally forgotten. A custom made Harrison was definitely the cat's ass and may still be. I continue to wear mine to this day and never have worried about getting cut, knocked cold or feared losing my good looks due to a facial injury. At 71 I may not stop as many shots but have zero apprehension about facing a shooter thanks to a well made, proper fitting goal mask. "It is definitely the gear."

A significant loss for the Leafs ...... but it gives them a free pass to hire a new A/Coach.

bunnyman666, great to have you back. I have always enjoyed your posts and comments on goalie forums. While you are handling some serious stuff physically and mentally, you can count on the support and typical goalie comments from us, whether you like it or not. Your history suggests that you can both dish and take some hits. Good on ya' Pal. One year before COVID-19 I wasn't always happy. At times it seemed that a dark cloud would descend upon me, for no apparent reason. I had been healthy, happy, had a wonderful family life and great friends. What was wrong? I talked openly with my wife and close friends about this inability to escape the dark cloud. One of my buddies was a professor in the medical department at the University of Alberta. We discussed my situation and he sent me a couple of links which centred on The Happy Hormones. I was tested by a medical professional who prescribed a daily dose of the drug Apo-Escitalopram. It works by increasing levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain. Increased serotonin levels can lead to an improved mood. Within a couple of weeks my mindset seemed to level out. The dark moods are now few and far between and I have had no negative side effects. The restrictions and anxiety associated with COVID-19 were a good test. I am not a medical professional, nor do I play one on TV. Again, welcome back bunnyman666. Steve, the old goalie in Kelowna with many new body parts but still between the pipes.

I believe that this chap was the one who offered me $400 for my mid 80's Greg Harrison mask. His excuse for the lowball offer was that he would have to repaint it!!!!!! I will say no more.

I don't recall them being around when I was a kid but my younger brothers (12-15 years age difference) got them as a treat on occasion. After all, if Mr. Cosby said that they're alright ....................

OK, that confirms it .........

Come on. You know you want to.

Does that sound somewhat rude to anyone else?

In reality, my Miata is usually in our garage hibernating throughout the hockey season. I don't play summer hockey. Truth time, we took a series of photos in order to win some gear from John Brown Sports. The contest was titled "What do goalies do in their off season?" I won some BROWN custom goalie pants. Here are my other entries from 2014.

There's no way I'm getting all of my equipment in this thing, but I bet I could fit my leg pads in the passenger seat. I know the feeling ......

Interesting theory Colander. I too believe that his style would have been fun to watch with today's gear and his tendency to sprawl, would need a tutoring on sliding but I suspect we're dealing with a quick learner. A fellow on my team has a hockey claim to fame. In university hockey, Ken Dryden stoned him (Cornell) on a clean cut breakaway. Pete said that Dryden played like an octopus, all arms and legs coming out to greet you. The man could cover so much ground. He may even have fallen into the "Nerd" spectrum in today's world. The Game (his early 80's Novel) is yet a must read. I have owned many copies but managed to give them to friends and they passed them to others. He was a member of the Federal Canadian Parliament, having been elected in 2004. And then there's brother Dave Dryden - Co-Inventor(?) of the masks we wear now........... If you stayed with me on this history lesson, good on ya'. For the survivors, you now know more about the Dryden Boys than you care.

Cooper made this wrist strap available in the early 80's for us regular guys.

Valid point. From my perspective it has more to do with age and fitness level. My mind, with its desire to play, may be let down by my ageing body. Heading into last season I was so prepped to play, even with COVID-19 restrictions. My body was ready for another season of hockey after a spring and summer of much bicycling, golf (walk 18 holes 3-4 times per week), yoga and eating only home cooked food (the temptation to eat out had been removed). It was a short, 10 game season for this guy. Will the same sort of exercise and eating be sufficient to get my 70+ body, now a year older, fit to play in September 2021? In my younger years this was not a major concern. Now it is. "Unleash the hounds, his Harrison mask will be up for sale." No effin' way.

Industry caveat, hmmmm...... I have to go the way of the common man, who happens to have been born in 1949, maybe by mid to late April? In any event, my pads have been stored for this season. Out came the golf sticks and down went the convertible top.

Up until this past year I would wear some of my old gear a couple of times per season. Keep in mind that we play no slapshot hockey. The boys get a kick out of it and I usually survive unscathed. Our local Jr A team practises 30 minutes after our ice time. Occasionally one of their goaltenders will approach me post game and ask questions. One simply wanted to touch my leather pads and gloves, a history lesson for him. This past season with COVID-19 restrictions in place I wouldn't have had the time to properly dress in my old stuff (10 minutes) and then feel comfortable playing in it. But next year ........ However, you just can't beat the newer gear when it comes to trout fishing.

Somewhere in my photo archive I might but haven't come across one in years. Mine wasn't exactly plumb. As I recall it was a little off of centre. Greg had a jig in his shop and made his own cages but I suspect that these ones were free style, not mass produced. A while back I asked my son if he still had an old bag of my gear, custom cage included, kicking around in his basement. He thinks that it, along with some of his stuff, was donated to a charity shop at least 10 years ago.

I recall being in Greg Harrison's shop around that time, late 80's, and he was making a tight grid cage for Andy Moog, similar to a Cooper HM50. Moog, like most of us wearing a Harrison mask, had one of Greg's typical cats eye cage but was told at either a World Championship or perhaps Olympic Games that this type of cage was illegal. An SOS went out to Harrison so he whipped up this hybrid cage and sent it off to Moog. Shortly afterwards I had my Harrison mask declined at a tournament so I phoned Greg and asked if I could obtain one of those "legal" cages. By then he had put a couple aside should anyone else experience this situation. I think mine was used twice over the years but I always kept it in my equipment bag, just in case.

SaveByRichter35, a most thoughtful and reflective post. It happens, but don't let this feeling define you. Heck, I've retired from the game a handful of times due to work and family priorities, health or inability to play at a higher level of hockey than I could provide. When we moved across the country in 2006, as part of a retirement plan, I left my gear behind. Within 3 months I discovered 55+ hockey. My gear was shipped in 2 boxes by our son and a week later arrived at the door. I was back in the game! It's supposed to be fun. When playing goal isn't enjoyable why continue? Maybe your body will respond better on the ice if you give it a fair chance - off ice exercise, providing it isn't a chore. The roller games last September are probably not a fair representation of your ability and an inaccurate measurement. My free advice (yeah, yeah, you get what you pay for), don't rush into a retirement decision. Hang onto your gear. When and if the opportunity arises accept that unexpected call for a fill-in game. In the meantime keep posting on this forum. You are a valuable member of our community.

Confession time, as a wee lad growing up in Ottawa, Ontario, all of my hockey was played on outdoor rinks where the shooters learned to keep their shots low. A puck that went over the boards may not be recovered until the spring melt, plus we may not have had a spare so a chunk of ice would have had to suffice. I was 14, playing my first indoor game of hockey on "artificial" ice and it was weird. Everything sounded different. There was no need to change ends every 15 minutes so that the other team was now facing the cold outdoor wind, complete with stinging snow. Many, many years later, on a family visit to Florida I viewed my first game of roller hockey at a beach side park. My sons and I were amused by everything about it. Good speed, nice flow, strange sounds from those wheels, it looked like fun and it was outside, bonus. Both of my boys asked for and received roller blades that Christmas. They were the only kids on our tiny dead end boulevard back home in Canada skating on wheels and taking tennis ball shots on their old man. We had a blast. But that was as close as I ever got to playing the wheeled version of hockey. Our local rinks reverted to lacrosse in the summer time. I can readily relate to the melancholy of losing your treasured roller rink. My memories instead consist of thawing frozen toes and hardened mittens on a coal fired potbelly stove in the rink shack , then grabbing a heavy snow shovel and scraping the ice for the 7th period and hoping that we could get in "just one more game" before Dad showed up to drag us home, yes, with our skates still on. Ahhhh, hockey memories ..............