Windsor Tomcats

By Stevo

I asked Rocky if I could write a blog, so here it is.

First of all, what a great tournament, I have played in many of these and I can tell you from personal experience that this was one of the best tournaments I was a part of, not because I scored on Chico, but because it was played with great intensity but no shenanigans. You do not see that all the time. I watched from the opening face off, of the first game and could not believe how quick the action was, but it was all done properly and fairly. The players having great respect for each other.

Secondly, I wanted to personally thank the captains, Hatchie, Animal, Green Giant and Big Easy, I loved that you guys embraced the teams and got tee shirts made using your Tomcat nicknames, impressive. There was not a millisecond of doubt on your part, you selected team names and stepped in with cleverly designed team names/logos and tee shirts.

Thirdly, congratulations to the Green Giant Stalkers. Love the name and love the shirt. During the games and after the final game I don’t know if I have seen a captain with a perma smile like the Green Giant had. You can tell he was super thrilled to win and when he took those first sips from Stanley’s Cup his team looked on proudly on their captain.

I want to thank each and every Tomcat present and past for some fantastic tournament memories, from me throwing my gloves at the Legend for rouging me up in front of the net, to Ditty streaking, to all the great Champions and participants and to Rocky, Soupy Kamikaze and Jingles for organizing.

Ibuprofen, CBD/THC oil on my knee (and a number of beers, Bourbon and Rye and waters at Hatchie house after, had me feeling pretty good Saturday night and it had me thinking, maybe I could do this again. But then Sunday came and the knees were screaming at me, “That was your last tournament you jerk.”

Someone said, “You should pull a Tom Brady and come out of retirement in the summer and play again.” I smiled at that one. You the reader has no idea how much I still want to play and have a beer on stage after and tell and listen to the stories, but old age and years of soccer and Ukrainian dancing is catching up with this cowboy. (and don’t forget 30 years of Tomcat hockey)

I have not ruled out playing a Tuesday here and there next year, but every Tuesday and the tournament is out of the question.

I was totally awed and humbled when presented with the plaque. You have no idea how close I came to shedding large crocodile tears….I originally thought I would hang the plaque in my office, but I don’t go in there every day, but I do go in my garage and so the plaque has been proudly displayed above the entrance door leading from my garage into my home. (See photo below)

I loved that my son Big Ned was in the audience and saw first hand the love the Tomcats show. Even my dear friend, ex Tomcat and Stanley’s Cup / Tecumseh Stingers Captain and Champion, the Sea Lion was there to watch the presentation. I was ecstatic to see all the smiling faces of all the Tomcats…. You Guys Are Truly the MVP’s, you truly are and I am honoured to call you my dear friends. I love each and every one of you, I truly do.

Thank you so much for the love and for being such tremendous, remarkable and extraordinary people.

I wanted to share one more thing with you, a Gary Larson, I thought/think its funny.

Thanks for reading, thanks for being such great Tomcats, Stay Beautiful.