F.O.P (Fresh Off da Plane)

Hockey Night in Hawaii

I know that I will have a few friends for life because I got to play the best game ever invented under the lights and right on the beach, flanked by palm trees even. And if you just hung out at the hockey rink, you'd probably think that Maui's population is made up of about 75 percent Canadian transplants.

Easily, one of the things that has helped me make this difficult transition from such a vastly different environment and life in Minnesota has been the Maui Inline Hockey Association.

It's my slice of home and a reminder of how lucky I was to have a happy childhood. Today, it provides things for me that I need to stay sane: fun, organization, friends, exercise, nostalgia and new challenges.

Like hockey players all over North America, the people who I play with and those who volunteer to keep it going are exceptionally dedicated and friendly.

Well, some of older guys are kinda surly, but that's part of playing a tough sport, I guess.

My other theory is that some people can be a little standoffish at first because this is such a transient place. Seems like some new player is always stopping by, has a great time and says he'll be back. But he just sorta disappears. Maybe it's because who has time for hockey if ya need to work two or three jobs just to live here.

I wound up returning to my rink rat roots about two months after I moved here. I met Mike Hopper, an attorney for the county who's from Pittsburgh. We got to talking hockey, a subject that takes about two minutes to come up when anyone learns you're from Minnesota.

Immediately, he invited me down for pickup hockey nights. Everyone is welcome to come on down. In fact, the next adult league should be starting in two weeks.

Although I was on ice skates before I have even developed childhood memories, I have two bum knees (That's my big excuse.) and only inline skated maybe twice in my life before moving here (My other excuse is that my hometown of Duluth is one the side of hill and has notoriously bad streets.).

Still, I came out and I fell down. A lot. I still fall a lot. However, some of the much better players were cool and helped me to improve and see the game in a new way.

They are the true players, the ones who give solid pointers without insulting you or talking down to you, either. Just nice guys, even if one or two might put your head through the boards.

It's funny how when we get older, everything becomes more complicated -- even sports -- because we are simply more sophisticated ourselves in our understanding of the world. Even for goons like me.

I'm still pretty shaky on inline skates. I'm definitely one of the poorest players out there. And with no ACLs to speak of, I've also had to invest in a few new ice trays. I also have what I think is a very cool nickname, Maui News or just News or Maui for short. It's the benefit of there being about six other guys named Chris around.

I always had better nicknames than skills growing, like Bones and Hambone. My game was just hustle, hitting, defense and cruising the slot rebound goals. Even though I spent who knows how much time at ice rinks (Thanks for driving, mom.), I didn't put in the extra work that a real hockey player must do daily.

Man, it was fun, though. I miss the smell of an outdoor rink at night when the air is crisp, the cocoa is hot, and if you're lucky, you have a warm girl to hold while you take in the game while standing on snowbanks. I also don't mind that the rink in Kihei smells of salted trade winds with the occasional wafts of BBQ, kalua pork, pupus or Maui fried rice from all the nearby restaurants.

But I can't imagine not playing any more. Even if it's completely just for fun now. When I stopped in high school, it used to hurt to watch the NHL on TV or catch a Wild, Golden Gopher or Bulldog game live.

It was an ugly break up. Sure, I played some club hockey at the University of Minnesota, but I pretty much abandoned the sport for 12 years. Until it found me in Hawaii.

I always kept my gear, though, stashed in a closet. Just in case me and hockey reconciled. Luckily, the MIHA sells equipment, too. Do you know there is not one place on Maui to buy a hockey stick, except at the Kalama Park concession stand? Forget all the Hawaiian language or Spam musubi, that is foreign to me.

So thanks, Mike, who even though he and his wife don't have kids yet, he still devotes countless hours coaching. And thanks to other tireless volunteers, like the other coaches, concession workers, open skate folks and refs, the people who pay the bills, pick up the empty water bottles, find the sponsors. People like Rick Ortiz and Jane and John Bordignon, who bought an incredible new scoreboard for the rink -- which volunteers also built themselves.

And thanks to my teammates at the Honolulu tourney this weekend: Rick, Ryan, Abe, Mike, Christian, Miller, Adam and Greg. You've helped make it fun to play the game again. I don't worry, I won't mention how we placed.

It was a lot of fun to watch "The A-Team" play at Malilani rink last weekend. There's some real talent on Maui, a number of them are homegrown players. They almost made the finals.

I forgot to mention one of my hockey mentors (which he is to many) and (I hope) friend, The Commish, Dan "Dano" Burnett. He organizes tourneys, caretakes the facilities, keeps people coming out and in line, works with kids -- and will put your head through the boards. God, bless that big ole Canuck. The world needs more like him (Did I really just write that? Yup, I did.).

Hey, we have a car wash fundraiser coming up Oct. 18 at Azeka Place. Only $5. Please, come on down.

The Maui Inline Hockey Association is a nonprofit organization that is celebrating its 10th year, http://www.mauihockey.com/. The primary objective of helping kids grow into good people.

The practices are just underway for the 10 and under, 14 and under and 18 and under teams. Sign ups were Aug. 28, but who knows, there might be some spots open if you move quicker than Mike Gartner in his prime.

And if you want some exercise, think the speed and power of the sport appeals to you -- and don't mind taking a few lumps -- come find hockey in Hawaii. We're always looking for more players. And it's always much more laid back on Tuesday night pickup, though, if you want to ease into it.

I've seen people learn the game from scratch here. Hockey is right on South Kihei Road. Who knew?

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billd22
09-16-08 7:05 PM »Report Abuse	Hey "News" great blog on hockey in Maui. Thanks. BY the way I hope you arent referring to me as one of the older "kinda surly" guys....or I will be putting your head through the boards on Thursday night! Ha just kidding pal. See you at the RINK! Bill Dix

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