Carpe Diem, The Series: A Competitive Edge

Paul Stevens

The Pylons, better known as the ‘Sarnia Bike Shop’ team (thanks for your sponsorship Scott!), made their way to participate in the 32nd edition of the ‘Cataracts Adult Hockey Tournament’ held in Niagara Falls Ontario last weekend. I had previously never been to such a tournament so I really had no idea of what to expect. All of my previous hockey tournament experience was learned through taking our sons to their respective outings where the only question that arose from either them was, “Does the hotel have a pool?” I would bet cash money that for young kids, that’s the only thing that really concerns them as they probably would have been content to play their games on broken glass but so long as the hotel had a pool, all would be good for the weekend.

This was quite the tournament attracting 88 teams from southern Ontario as well as northeastern U.S. states. There were divisions ranging from 20 years of age and up. We were of course in the ‘up’ part of the groupings, specifically for those 55+. No groupings beyond that age limit so I guess that means we were at the outer limits as far as participants were concerned. As a concession our age group, we were permitted to have a goaltender as young as 50, a veritable rookie in comparative terms. Our goalie, who we called ‘The Kid’, was 51. The guys on our team were from a wide variety of backgrounds – accountants, lawyers, school teachers, tradesmen, etc. but they all had one thing in common and that is that they still enjoy playing the game.

Tournament rules stressed the recreational aspect of the games – no slap shots allowed, not even faking one, and definitely no body checking or rough play either. Try any of that stuff and you’ll be assessed a penalty and possibly a game suspension as well. Such play never came close to being an issue in our games.

Our first game was Friday evening against a team from Princeton, New Jersey. These guys schooled us well although we did manage to keep the score respectable, sort of. In our post-game get-together, we found out that these guys had been playing together for many years and in fact most of them played hockey at the varsity level of their respective alma maters that in included of course, Priceton. Good hockey players and smart too if they went to Princeton. Jeepers, I could learn to dislike overachievers. Even though we lost our next game on Saturday afternoon, we still had a chance to make the playoff round if we could win Saturday evening and chalk up enough goals to qualify. Well, there we were up 2-0 with less than two minutes remaining when true to our form, we were able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory giving up two late goals to end the game in a draw.

Eliminated from the playoffs with no games to play on Sunday, it just meant that we were able to drown our sorrows later into the evening than we would have otherwise done if we had to play the next day. There is always a bright side isn’t there?

I should mention that on Saturday morning, we gathered for breakfast at a restaurant in Niagara Falls owned and operated by Marcel Dionne, an NHL Hall-of-Famer. After his junior career in near-by St. Catherines, he had a standout 18 year career playing for Detroit, Los Angeles, and finishing up with the New York Rangers. He never made it to the promised land of winning the Stanley Cup but he was a perennial all-star. His restaurant also doubles as a sports memorabilia shop with a mind-blowing collection of hockey related items but also from the other major North American spectator sports as well.

He has his several members of his family working this busy spot and there’s Marcel, in the middle of it clearing tables, serving up coffee and telling stories to just about anyone who would listen. He’s 64 years old but seemed to be moving well. Recognizing his abundant talents and also recognizing our need to inject some scoring into our team, we respectfully offered a roster spot to Marcel. “I have to make more toast!” was his reply. OK Mr. Dionne, we get it. Maybe you can use the next 12 months to get in better shape and we’ll give you another chance when we return next year.

Also at the restaurant was Steve Ludzik, another former NHLer who had a decent 10 year career, primarily with the Chicago Blackhawks with some NHL coaching with Tampa Bay Lightning for a couple of years after his playing days were over. Although a prominent scorer in junior hockey, Steve’s role at the NHL level was largely as an ‘enforcer’. This is a role that has thankfully all but disappeared from the current game however we are just now learning of the fallout from this type of play. Several former NHL players have met a premature demise over the past few years. Each suffered ailments believed to have been caused by concussions resulting from head trauma as bear-knuckle hits to the head through fights along with body slam-type contact takes a very heavy toll. For Steve, now 55 years old, he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and although he remains in what appears to be decent physical condition outwardly, he recognizes that he is on a downward slide. He recalls at least six serious concussions incurred during his playing days that he strongly believes are the cause of his current condition. He has made it his life’s mission to educate others about concussions and Parkinson’s and in reviewing his website, www.ludzy.com, he has taken the fight to a new level. Here’s a quote lifted from his website:
“I’m not going to get kicked around by Parkinson’s disease. Not anymore. Nor will I allow a brother in arms to be forgotten and left behind.”

Good on you Steve and keep up the excellent work you have started. His website is part of a broader network called “Hockey with Heart” that has many chapters, each dedicated to the spirit of giving back to their local causes and communities.

I have to say here that as much as I enjoy the game of hockey, I have never been a fan of fighting or going out of your way to make body contact. I enjoy the speed and skill parts of the game and a good, clean below the head body check, never from behind or blindside, is an acceptable part of the game satisfying the physical aspect of the game without the outward blow to the head that was and may still be all too common. The game is making progress but much work needs to be done.

Our hockey season is now done and the plan was to get out on the bike at the earliest opportunity. In fact, I was to hook up with a bunch of local riders for a season kick-off of 70 km (that’s a starter?!) but the winter we never had around here reuses to pack up shop as we have at least one more day of wet snow and rain forecast for the day. That would have taken up a nice chunk of my Sunday afternoon so now I’ll have to figure out something else to do. As I look up from my computer, I see our dog drilling laser beams into my eyes from hers. This can only mean one thing – “Take me out!” OK, OK, I’ll be with you in few minutes!

Here’s our team with Marcel Dionne and Steve Ludzik along a with a mini Stanley Cup – as close to the real thing as any of us will get.
That’s Marcel Dionne in the yellow t-shirt, Steve Ludzik is to his immediate left looking rather dapper in a sport coat. Your intrepid report is on the far right, front row.
See you next year Marcel & Steve!!!

Your friend, Paul.

And remember – Carpe Diem (but in relaxed sort of way)!