Hockey not just a game for the young, say Corner Brook seniors

A group in Corner Brook is out to prove that hockey isn't just a game for the young — it's for the young at heart, too. As long as you can get your skates on.

The Twilight League has redefined seniors' hockey, with players in their 50s, 60s, 70s — and even a few in their 80s.

The group has been hitting the ice twice a week for 90-minute intervals since it started in 2002.

Since then, about 100 different people have laced up, each and every one of them with a hockey background and unable to give up the game.

Calvin Winsor — or Winsy, as the league calls him — just turned 80, but doesn't plan on putting the blades away any time soon, saying it's a great way to spend his spare time.

"Oh out for recreation, a bit of fun, pass away the winter with a good bunch of fellows," said Winsor.

Brendan Dicks, organizer of the Twilight League, said for the players, age is nothing but a number.

"It's our golden years — at least it's supposed to be our golden years and our leisure years. We just love the game, everybody amongst us loves the game," said Dicks.

"There are two 80 year olds, a 75-year-old, there are a couple of 73-year-olds — including myself — and then it goes down to 58, around 58."

Camaraderie, exercise the main focus

But the league isn't just about hitting the ice together. Each week, the league gets together for a group breakfast.

Dicks said they also get together to celebrate the holidays together, as well as the end of their 52-game season.

It's a lot of work, but Dicks said it's well worth the effort.

"Yeah, it's a lot of games for us, yes at our age and that and our attendance is really good range from 12 players to 20 players," he said.

"The important thing is the camaraderie of it, the exercise we get as a result of playing the game."

Older guys an inspiration

The players don't keep score, and there are no referees sucking the fun out of it.

It's just a bunch of buddies playing hockey, with the older guys motivating the younger crowd - young being a relative term in this case.

"Especially playing with those older fellows it's an inspiration to keep going," said player Wayne Freake.

"Some fellows say, 'Ah, I'm going to give it up,' but when you sees fellows out skating that's in their 70s and 80s like that it's an inspiration to keep going."

The players may have more time on their hands, but they say there are no plans on slowing down any time soon.