The Allure of Summer Hockey

Sun bathing, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, roller blading, gardening and ice hockey. Which of these things does not belong? Well for me it’s roller blading because my corrdination an’t handle the transition from roller blades to blades of steel. And I’ll choose ice skates any day of the year, including summer.

For many people summer ice hockey is a regular activity, like those in the Falmouth Adult Hockey League.

In the Cape Cod Times, staff writer Rob Duca, interviews the commissioner of the league and some of the players to find out why they play this winter sport during the lazy dog days of summer.

The commissioner, Brian Guest, started the league in 2003.

He posted fliers to gauge interest, and the calls began coming in, mostly from local players in their 30s. “It was one level above pickup hockey,” said goaltender Dan Pucillo, also the chief financial officer of Black Dog on Martha’s Vineyard.

But since then the level of competition has increased significantly, to the point where some players remain undrafted and don’t even have a team to play on!

Nearly every player competed at the high school level, most played in college and a few have seen action in the CHL and AHL. While you won’t see hitting, you will witness plenty of intensity.

“This is definitely one of the most competitive leagues I’ve ever played in,” said Marr, a 2003 Falmouth High graduate and captain of the Kansas City Steakhouse team. “Nobody wants to lose. But the name of the game with this league is that no matter who wins or loses, once we get off the ice, we’re all friends.”

But why play during the summer? As one player put it…

“…this is our night out. We’re not at a bar, so our wives can’t complain too much. We’re just standing in the parking lot talking hockey. For some guys this is their best hockey of the year. That’s how it is with me. It’s my favorite part of the summer.”

The full article can be found here at the Cape Cod Times .