Friday night Paul, Bry and I worked a bingo for Roller Sports at Club Regent. Originally Rick(1) had told me that we would each recieve $100 towards any equipment we purchase for the upcoming season. Turns out it was only $50, which is still pretty decent for the amount of work it entailed. Paul and I kinda held back a bit but Ginger was first guy out the door hitting on every old woman in the room for sales. We definately made the best of it.
Saturday hockey rocked. Black was on fire and never let up from the start. I was pretty worried starting out with Ratte sidelined with a bad back but Nolan went for the experience of the dentist, the hussle from Cyclone, and Mike Sullivans magic hands.(2)
Saturday night we all showed up for Ponch’s birthday at the Vernon/Cyr residence(3). Another big turnout there thanks to Mel for putting that together. Ponch looked surprized when h walked in almost unnoticed and everyone turned around and yelled “Surprize”.
Sunday morning got up and went to the rink to help put in the Rolston flooring for the upcoming season.(4) 17 skids of the blue tile to place. We had a really good turnout this time at least and a huge thanks goes out to Mike, Ryan, Jesse, and especially Ginger who did huge numbers out there. Thanks to everyone else who helped too! My ass has been sore for two days and last nights roller hockey was no help. JD made it out this week to set up a few power play situations and shed some light on special teams. What amazing difference it makes to have the team actually stop and listen to the coach. Tourney this weekend, Sam Southern.
(1) – I forget Rick’s last name but he became the President of Roller Sports Manitoba after Pino ran the league for many years. He had to deal with all the angry players about everything from the floor sucking, to the shitty scheduling. He convinced us to raise money doing these Bingos at Club Regent to make $50. Good fundraising if you needed it but it was classic RSM to tell you it was $100 and then changing it to $50 once you have already done the work. Anyway, Rick was an avid cyclist and I will never forget the time we were driving somewhere and Ratty got all excited when he saw Rick on his bike. He opens up his window and practically hanging out yells “PISTOLS RUUUUUUULE!” – It was hilarious. To this day I still sometimes yell that out my window if I see one of the guys on the street.
(2) – Having the dentist and the eye doctor on the same line was ruthless precision. Looks like Marc is still grinding away (pun intended) at River North Dental.
(3) – Spent a lot of time at the Vernon Cyr house those days just hanging out. Bailey and I playing NHL2001 on the PS1. We had some really good times in that house too. It’s right up there with the Morely and Mulvey houses. I think back to what it was like to just drop over unexpected and hang out for an entire day sometimes. As a 50 year old now I can only imagine how annoying that might have been for the guys back then. To just have people dropping over and staying there all the time. It was glorious for me at the time though I remember that. Ultimate freedom at that age.
(4) – Imagine paying to play hockey and you have to make the ice. This city needs a proper year-round roller hockey facility. I am still shocked it hasn’t happened yet.