… by Harry Ballsonue

Team White: George Metulynsky playing goal, Stevo, Bulldog, Tommy ‘the Badger Hienze

Team Black: David Hann playing goal, Junior, Nick ‘MayDay’ Lelyk, Louis the Rake

Team Black wins the evening; 10-5, 10-6, 9-10.

In those days the Tomcats played to 10. (Goaltending equipement changed that) Yes, George Metulynsky as the goalie, thus the nickname ‘The Turk’, named after Turk Broda. Dave Hann was the other goalie.  When he was not thinking of the movie, ‘Babe’ he was actually a stellar net minder.

No spares that night, 3 on 3. Plastic sticks, Goalies wore a baseball mit, a hockey glove for a blocker and volly ball knee pads as goalie pads. No mask, no chest protector. (they wore a cup..they were not stupid).

That type of turnout was quite often.

Then, new comers, The Bourque brothers and Miami, the Burriuto brothers and even the Bobbie brothers. Then Ray MacDonell, Mykel Jaworiwsky and Dan Connelly. Then Chris Girard, Gerald Finnerty, Barry Morris, Rich Ditty. Then Dean Colasanti, Mark Jennings, Mike Menzel, Chad Comartin, Johnny Salaris and shortly after that Mike Edgar. Now, Shane Renaud,  Now Sammy Salaris, Dave Crawford and Andy Brewin.  I have seen them come and go, but now instead of 8 guys, 22!  (I know I missed out on many names, but I think you get my point)

You can see the excitement in Steven Jaworiwsky’s eyes as he sets out to make the teams, to make sure everyone is playing, happy and has a sense of belonging. “It’s all about the love”, he says to me, as he walks to his truck, “Guys loving to be with each other and share a story and a beer and a smoke. The hockey is secondary, it’s a sense of belonging and being part of a gang. All you need is love. People want to say that I have been the glue that has held this thing together, but thank George Metulynsky for suggesting it, thank, every guy who has come through the door to play but more so have a beer and laugh, thank every guy, who waits for Tuesday night on Wednesday morning, those are the guys you thank”. He concludes and closes the door to his truck and drives out of the parking lot.

I stand there, thinking, he’s right. It’s the before hockey, and after hockey that counts. And then I realize, after he is already crossing Walker Road, I say outloud for no one to hear, ”Hey……I never got to put my Harry Ballsonue!”