Over 30 Hockey League

We’re Off!!

We’re off and underway for our 35^th Anniversary and we wanted to thank our opening day staff who showed up early to help setup and man the stations. 

The ALD Mike Naczas was nice and early (as usual) setting up the photo backdrop and tables and made two trips to help Tony Medeiros bring up the last-minute Gatorades.

Bobby Snyder retired his hockey equipment for a clipboard and pen as he helped get guys checked in.., and even gave his own standing ovation for those players 60 (and older) who were checking in.

Jim Barber manned the jersey station , handing out the two new items for 2026-2027.  This year to celebrate 35-years, the Over-30 League handed out matching shorts, which has never been done (ever!) in the history of the league.., and a complimentary 35^th Anniversary booklet with all the teams, logos, updated stats and the Saturday Morning Cartoons in one place and with a “MAD Theme”. 

Jim also gave out three wrong jerseys to 3-players and so a special thanks to Tony and Kellie for spotting them.

Pre-game Talks

All (6) Teams got a pre-game talk from either the League Director and/or Tony Medeiros about this year’s expectations from the players.  Let’s break it down for those who were not in attendance

1)    If you bring up “Adult Beverages” – Put it in your bag as you go upstairs.

2)    Commitment to the team and the league.

3)    No Drama… It’s an Over-40/50 League now.  Just play and save the bitching and complaining for the workdays and not Saturdays.

4)    We will suspend players if 1, 2, or 3 above are egregiously violated.

Dollar $igns

Richie “Dollar$” Pelletier scores the first goal of opening day 2026 on an easy tap in from his captain Dominic DeFrancisco at the 6:55 mark of the first period.  Rich then went on to score the first hat trick of the season to make him tied for the Week #1 Leader.

After two trips to the finals and two losses, Rich is hoping that Dom’s magical championship tour will continue for the Wing-Ah’s this season.

Early Favorite

Dominic DeFrancisco scores the first “Natural Assist Trick” of the season, as the defending champion captain records the (first assist) on the first three goals of his team’s season opener. 

Dom assisted Rich Pelletier, Lee Nogler and Tony Mastrocola to start their season of goal scoring, and the new “Domfather Part #2” is the early favorite to put another notch on the plane (under the motor).

Shutout Ruined

“Elderberry”, our own cartoon favorite Elder Lopes was the one lone highlight for the Chickenhawks as he scores the only goal “unassisted” to prevent Dale McIssac from having the first shutout of the season. 

Despite losing the shutout to Elder, Dale’s 1-goal performance goes a long way towards his “Blind Goalie Challenge”… follow along (weekly) on Dale’s journey throughout the season… or help light him up, and ruin his chances of passing his “Blind Challenge”.

Just keep in mind that every goal a player scores on Dale… Mark Stickney and his pink warmup shirt will be secretly cheering for you.

30^th & 35^th & 40^th?

Welcome back Nick Doherty on his very successful return to the Over-30 League.  Nick also had a hat trick and an assist to put him at the top of the leader board tied with Rich Pelletier. 

The last time Nick was a rostered player was for the 30^th Anniversary Season… so after his 35^th Anniversary return… look for him to go dormant again and return for the 40^th Anniversary when Dan Broderick will break his own record as the oldest player at age 75… Keep going Dan!!

A Good Start

Off to a good start for Ricky Cassano.  After a disappointing stint with the Poo Bears (despite their championship win), Ricky played 20-games and only recorded 4-goals and 9-assists.

After his week #1 debut he factored into 100% of his teams scoring, albeit it was only 1-goal and 1-assist… but it was still 100% of the scoring.

Celebrating #5

The Leafpeepers celebrated the #5 for the old man, and his first opening day in 3-seasons.  Dan Broderick was once again wearing #5 on his first opening day after missing the previous two on the IR & PUP List for the Poo Bears.

Dave Giusti honored Dan by letting in 5-goals… and his defense let opponent Dave Costa who’s wearing double 5’s with his #55 as he assisted on three of the Brew’ins 5-goals.

Luckily, they scored 2-goals last week, otherwise they would have started the season in 5^th place.  But no need to panic, captain Tommy Gallagher will get the most out of his players as the season progresses.

Oopsie for “Poopsie”

Mike Duggan is asking and now showing the League Director that he wants his old job back for 2026.  Mike and Nick Doherty had a deal to allow “Poopsie” to be home for the Winter Season, and returning in the Spring Season

Mike’s error in timing had him initially wanting to take the Winter Season off to “practice” in the bedroom and then play the Spring Season before the 2027 Breast-feeding season started. 

But now, after Mike sank a “pink ball” putt during the Summer Golfing Season… he wants his old job back in the Winter Season and let Nick play in the Spring Season… are you following this at home?

This is why we do the draft early people… one month after the 2026 Spring Season Champions were crowned, the league is preparing over the summer (and it takes the summer) to get everything ready for opening day.  ~So don’t be a draft dodger!

100% Effort

Another former champion Poo Bear celebrated his opening day with a 100% performance as well.  Rob Sheridan had a goal and two assists on his opening day… with the goal coming off an empty netter with just 18-seconds to play after Jim Barber and Mike Naczas got caught watching and waiting for the other guy to make a play… and Rob (who was also watching) showed those two standby’s what to do with the ball instead of watching it.

#1 fill-in

Cam Long is also trying to get off the sub list and onto a team as he missed the cutoff date for the draft commitment and was reduced to the #1 fill-in player… or is he?

Cam filled in for two players last week, playing the role of John Hines & Brian Capodilupo on defense for the Canadian Geese.

But on the other side of the white line Mike Duggan (also playing defense) filled in for Alex Leone & Colleen O’Connell and scored two goals including the GWG.

Which makes you think… who is the real #1 fill-in?