Beer league hockey

October is normally the start of beer league season. But as there is no men’s league hockey in Riyadh, I will be missing out on it this year. It has otherwise been a tradition for me the past 15 years.

For someone who grew up in Canada, I was a late bloomer when it came to (ice) hockey. Coming from a poor immigrant family, sports was not a priority. Also, being from a demographic not generally associated with hockey, as well as being undersized, the stars did not naturally align to push me towards the sport. But I loved hockey anyhow, and even started my own league to play floor hockey at the gym of a local church when I was a teen, since ice hockey was out of reach.

I learned to skate at age 13. I then played (pick-up) hockey occasionally — mostly off rather than on – until I was in my thirties.

My first experience with organised hockey was in Manhattan. I joined a beer league there by happenstance at age 34. Since then, I have played regularly and been on several beer league championship teams. I have been fortunate to have shared the ice with some serious players over the years – many of whom had previously played professionally.

My best years are certainly behind me. I no longer have the explosiveness to keep up with those 10, 20 or even 30+ years my junior, and I have also lost the dexterity that once allowed me to regularly pot goals into the net. It is tough to lose one’s edge in a team sport as your decline diminishes the group’s performance. I salute those aged 50+ who are still playing.

All that remains for me is the occasional pick-up hockey on weekends back in Abu Dhabi and, if luck permits, shinny when I visit Canada in the winter.

Although the skates will eventually be hung, the memories and friendships will last.