Chevy took the family on a European tour rumor has it that he has been scouted by the Venice SouthSide Serpents to play in the European league. There was some heavy scouting and contract negotiations (Similar to the Lionel Messi Maimi deal).
Some interesting useless facts- A gondola costs $200,000 Euros (yep just for the boat) there is only one builder of gondolas and located in Venice. A new license to operate a gondola $300,000 Euros; most gondolas are passed down through generations of family members. Italian mafia at its best!
While in Venice – Chevy ran into Snowpants working as a gondola driver. You could hear him belting O Sole Mio down the canals of Venice!
Additional scouting occurred with the Greek team – Mykonos Vagenas but apparently Venus and Aphrodite below created too many distractions and Miss Chevy stymied the Greek deal.
After meeting Venus and Aphrodite additional rumors is that Chevy signed an endorsement/ sponsorship contract with Play Airlines
As it stands right now, Chevy’s bags are packed and unless the Tomcats come back with a sweet counter offer you may not be seeing Chevy on the first night of ball hockey.
Their motto was the clear reason why he signed the deal.
Since asked, Rocky is sharing his whereabouts this summer off-season. Ahead of the season start, Rocky and his family headed west to take in the sights and sounds of San Francisco.
Rocky searched for something to connect back to the Tomcats and found a sign pointing back to the motherland of the Tomcats…Ukraine.
While on this trip, Rocky also scoped out potential venues for a Tomcat West Coast Charity Tour event. The recreation yard of Alcatraz Penitentiary has potential for such an event. The Coliseum in LA was already on the list, along with the flight deck of the USS Midway in San Diego. Stay tuned for more details.
Rocky, Roxy and the Rockettes standing in front of San Francisco’s famous Lombard street (crookedest street in the world).
Footnote: I wondered what it would be like for one of the longest-running Tomcats not to be playing this year, so I asked him.
We met at Stevo’s home in Beautiful Essex Ontario, he asked me to join him in his hot tub, so I said ’sure’.
Question: So what is it like not getting ready to play this year
Answer: Mid way through last year, I knew I could not play this year, I was 5 steps behind everyone, (more like 10) I had it in my mind I was going to be done and knowing what I know about my play last year, I am able to accept that fact, so not getting ready for the upcoming season, means morer BBQ’s, Golf and twisted teas.
Q: Is there one thing you will miss?
A: I think the first night seeing everyone, the magic that occurs on stage when guys walk on and smile and shake hands or hug. I will miss that, I know I will.
Q: What will you do with yourself on Tuesdays?
A: There is a bar here in town and they do country line dancing, It costs $10 a class, I may sign up for that. (He says smiling)
Q: How is your knee feeling?
A: I have good days, with Tiger Balm and Volteren and CBD Oil and it helps, other days it is fine on its own and then of course on other days, I can’t even make a turn when I get up off the couch.
Q: What do you think of this years format where you and 3 other retired Tomcats will be selecting the teams?
A: Wow, what a great idea and what a great way to get the alumni involved. I am looking forward to it.
Q: Is there one thing you will miss the most about Tuesday nights on stage?
A: Hmmm, let’s see, yes, you know, while having beers on stage, after hockey, I will miss tossing beer caps into Bullwinkle’s gym bag when he is not looking.
Q: Is there anything you want to say to the boys, who might read this blog?
A: I am not falling off the face of the earth, I hope to stop in on a Tuesday here and there to say hi and have a beverage. I will miss the camaraderie ….I love those guys, 30 best friends, right there wearing their Tomcat swag.
I asked if I could come back and talk to him midway through the season and get a further perspective and he agreed, in the meantime, he wanted to leave the boys a poem that he came across by an author, by the name of Charles Bukowski. “Tomcats are magic” Stevo told me, as he read me the poem called Nirvana.
Happy August Tomcat Nation. Get out and enjoy the final official month of summer. Before you know it, we will be back at the Kapusta. Expect and email shortly confirming your commitment for the 2023-2024 season. Below are some details to remember:
– Season starts Tuesday September 12th and every Tuesday thereafter. 6:30pm start
-$55 to start, $5 per night after $55 is paid.
– The hall is asking for money at the start of the fall instead at the end of the year. As such, we will need everyone to do their best to have the $55 on or by the first night of hockey.
– look for special games and events throughout the season
– Tournament in February per usual, with new format and instead of captains, 4 retired Tomcats will select teams and serve as Coaches to their team.
Please respond to email as soon as possible so we can confirm numbers and make sure we are ready to start the season
Also, we will ask for volunteers to do a pre-season clean up and hopefully get some different faces contributing this time. Let’s all do our part!
Finally, send in photos of your travels and adventures this off season. We love to see Tomcats in Tomcat gear (preferably) in interesting places.
Rake and Apollo Solaris,who was kind enough to take time out of his busy day for a quick photo, during a recent stop at Santorini Greece as part of The Rake’s ongoing Tomcat’s international scouting program.
Summer plans, send photos Rocky asked in a recent blog and so…..some Tomcats were busy July 13
The 2023 Kobassa Open went swimmingly. The weather made it all happen of course, there were some ‘eyes to the skies’ on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but come Thursday the tournament day, it started out cool then got hot, like the action on the course. It seems St. Felix who is the Patron Saint of Ball Hockey also watches over the Tomcats if they are playing golf. Maybe St. Felix needs four or more Tomcats and…NO RAIN comes.
This years winner of the two person scramble, Sheep Dog and the Sea Lion.
“This has to be one of the best days of my life, the winning is sweet, but to be with all these great guys, what a day this has been.” Stated a openly weeping Sheep Dog.
Top Five finishes, 2) Bubbles and May Day 3) Bagz and the Turk 4) Big Easy and Bucko and 5) Crispy and Stevo. (All past playing Tomcats you will notice)
A strong mention must go to the Stomper and Hollywood for a well fought battle, but in the end they took a last place finish. “What do I care, I got to hang out with a great guys in Hollywood, Lovie and Big Poppa and I got a set of beautiful oven mitts. It does not get any better that that.” Stated the Stomper.
There were 8 brand new players this year, Green Giant, Mack Attack, Mickey (Benders Dad), Heat, Duke, Maxie, Gregor P and the Real Deal Prashil, “It is very nice to see new players joining the tour.” Stated the Bundura, Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Windsor Tomcats.
“The great thing about this day, is that you get to see guys you don’t see every day, like one of the best guys in the world, Lovie.” Stated Hollywood
WHAT A CREW
Big Poppa, The Stomper, Hollywood and Lovie; There was no ‘best looking foursome’, but if there was, it would be this group.
There were 18 teams and in the top 10, all the scores were very very close. In speaking to Stevo, he indicated a great number of guys were very interested in keeping their teammate from this year, “Don’t change a single team, keep it the same.”, was a common suggestion. “I would take Finner again as my partner.” Stated the Heat.
“I would not keep the top 5 teams together, that I can tell you I would move the top five teams around with teams 6-10, but keeping it at the same 36 I have no issues with that.” Indicated Stevo.
IN ENDING
It was truly a great day and all the participants get a huge shout out for playing.
Interesting fact, 58% of participants were Tomcats, past players or present day players.
Special thanks to Belleview for the closest to, to Royal 47 and Duke for the same, to Bundura, Hatchie, Hollywood (for the towels to the new members) May Day, Mickey, Murph and Genie, Sophia at Teaze, Lovie and La Bamba. “Stevo always say no donations required, but if you want to give something next year, he will gladly except what ever you have to donate, why not, he can bundle it to closest to, or to do a draw, who does not like to win a prize as long as it is not a size small golf shirt.” Stated May Day..
All I can say is golf channel is reporting, ‘Another fantastic Kobassa Open’, look for the 2024 ‘Set the Date’ email, sometime in late January 2024.
The Green Giant is one hell of a good looking guy.
Thanks for reading, I’m Ophelia Butts,
CONTEST
Four friends are golfing on a Saturday morning, before they tee off on the first hole, a 558 yard par 5, Phil, takes a ball out of his bag, tees it up and hits it agains a house. The ball ricochets off the house and ends up in the pool that is in the back yard. “My boss’s house.” He says then hits a ball straight down the middle of the fairway, he takes a five on the hole after missing a birdie putt. If this was to happen on the PGA, does 1) his shot down the middle count as a provisional shot? 2) is he hitting 3 off the tee box? 3) Should he have taken a 7 on that hole 4) your answer….
Happy July Tomcat Nation! Being the middle of summer and the off-season, we are sure many Tomcats have been traveling and partaking in interesting summer activities. We want to see pictures of Tomcats doing their summer thing.
Send along some quick photos to Rocky showing you and your loved ones enjoying time away from the daily grind. Interesting places, interesting events, gatherings of Tomcats, you name it. Send in some photos to share.
Can you name this Tomcat who hiked up the Rockies in full gear to get a shot over Lake Louise?
So the weekly antics of the Gordon Gin League took a twist this past week.
Despite the challenging weather a few in the group decided to venture out after an italian sausage at Seven Lakes Golf Course.
Chevy, Cribzy and Sea Lion experienced rain, sun, downpours and lightning in less than 2 hours. Happily walking the course, their round was interrupted by the ranger who braved the rain to come out to find the players. He said the horn had been sounding for the last 1/2 hour due to the thunder and lightning. Due to Chevy having the tunes cranked no horn was heard.
The only other players on the course were a group of ducks so fittingly the League this week was renamed to “Ducks and Dumb Fucks”
“If you did not play in this years Tomcat Golf Tournament, you missed out on a super terrific time, you missed out, I must say.” Bagz
With a great bunch of guys playing this year in the Tomcat golf tournament, known as the Pantelon de Niege, the winner this year was once again Big Poppa. “I am honoured to have won this prestigious trophy last year, but to win it back to back, oh my lord,” stated Big Poppa.
2023 Pantakon de Niege Champion …Big Poppa
It was great to see guys like Animal, Bender and Kamikaze playing this year.
Snowpants always does a tremendous job and deserves a great deal of credit for setting it up, ordering food and for handing out prizes. “The guy is incredible, he truly is, and the guys who played benefited,” stated Cribzie.
Tonto with stellar Tomcat Net Minder Bagz and retired Tomcat The Turk
Tonto, along with Mayday, Bagz and Turk rounded out a great foursome.
Tonto and May Day …cruising along!
The participants in this years tournament could not have been a better bunch of guys. Everyone had a great time and four of the R 47 maintenance guys were included in the tournament. Tomcats are your generous group that welcomes everyone.
2023 Windsor Tomcat Pantelon de Niege Golf crew
“I personally want to thank the minster of golf, pyrotechnics and floor cleaning, Snowpants for an incredible job, the smiles on everyones face tells me what a fun day it was for everyone on the course. The weather, the course and Snowpants’s hard work, all came into play like a power play goal in the playoffs, fantastic job Snowpants.” Stated Rocky
CANCELLATION NOTICE: Due to the fact that a bag of chips were taken (stolen) from the picnic table, fireworks were not attempted. Snowpants wanted everyone to have some chips and watch the fireworks, but after the bag of chips were stolen, Snowpats the organizer decided to pull the plug on the fireworks, “who F*&^*$ing stole the bag of chips?” A weeping Snowpants was heard yelling.
We hope everyone is enjoying summertime and nice weather.
Just a reminder the annual Tomcat Golf Tournament occurs this Saturday, June 17th at Royal 47 Golf Club. Snowpants, Director of Golf and Pyrotechnics, has spent a great deal of time getting this organized. Always a great time for Tomcats and Tomcat fans to get together in the off-season.
Who will win the Pantelon de Neige trophy this year?
“Cribzie is a very cerebral player, he is always thinking of what the play will be two to three plays ahead and he is always saying some super smart stuff on stage like ’the military salute is a motion that evolved from medieval times, when knights in armour raised their visors to reveal their identity.”Soupy
After 19 years with the Tomcats, standout defenseman, Cribzie, is retiring and calling it a career.
“My years with the Tomcats have been the best 19 years of my life. I have met some incredible people…Sheep Dog, Snowpants, May Day, Chevy…to name a few,” said an emotional Cribzie.
Cribzie was born and raised in Essex, Ontario where he is considered ’the Pride of Essex. He played for the Essex 73’s and was recognized for his incredible hockey acumen. He was drafted by three different teams…Modo of Sweden, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Windsor Tomcats.
Cribzie with two of his favourite Tomcats: May Day and Chevy.
Signing a 14 year deal right out of Junior, he has become a perennial Tomcat and Captained the War Pigs in 2014 to a Stanley’s Cup Championship. He was on the Jingle Jets when they won, and most recently in 2023, with the Green Giant Stalkers.
“I recall the War Pigs would come out running from the bench and do a full circle before they started taking their warm ups,” stated Sparky.
Close personal friend and teammate, Sheep Dog: “Cribzie is the dreamiest…once we were away and I had prepared some smoked cheeses and smoked meats and we enjoyed them by the hot tub at the hotel, he is so dreamy.”
Here Cribzie is ready to take on some cold weather golf with fellow Tomcat Teammates LaBamba, May Day and Hatchie.
Cribzie’s number #23 jersey is the third all time best seller, after number one #6 Crispy jersey, number two, #55 Snowpants jersey. Number four and five you ask? The fourth best selling jersey is the #26 La Bamba jersey, and at fifth all-time, #17 Sunny jersey.
“I don’t know where my life would have gone if it was not for the Windsor Tomcats. Many, many nights I would be driving home on a Tuesday night, pinching myself saying I can’t believe I’m a Windsor Tomcat’l indicated, Cribzie, holding back large crocodile tears.
Fans and Teammates will miss #23. The wicked shot from the point, cracking a MGD with him on the stage and just that contentious Cribzie smile.
All the best to you after the Windsor Tomcats Cribzie!!!
One more smart thing from Cribzie
“Soldiers do not march in step when going across bridges because they could cause a vibration which could be sufficient enough to knock the bridge down. And get a load of this….for every extra kilogram carried on a space flight, 530 kg of excess fuel is needed at liftoff. And, oh I will miss Snowpants speeches the most on stage after hockey!”
A small funny to leave you so you are not sad that Cribzie is retiring from the Tomcats:
Windsor Tomcats 