It's Been Fun.

I'm playing in my 21st year in the Lake City Gentlemen's Hockey League.... and this will be my last. Twenty-one years, that's almost half my lifetime.

I've been lucky to play a game I truly love and in a league that has gotten better each and every year that I've played. I started playing in the league in the 1984-85 season when there were only 4 teams. The league and the Dartmouth Sportsplex were only in it's third year of existence. The league expanded in the 1985-86 season to 6 teams and I jumped at the chance to put a team in. Back then we were known as the Builders Market Hawks, and this season our team is playing it's 20th year. We're now known as the Sandtrap Chiefs.

I've been fortunate to play with and against some good players and great people. That's the great thing about playing in a organized league, you have the competitive nature of the game of hockey, the rivalries, the comradery of teammates playing for the same goal, the friendships you make with other players for and against you. I think it's great that no matter what you do in your profession, be it a salesman, doctor, builder, engineer, lawyer, cleaner, policeman, fireman and yes, an ice maker, you come, pay and play for the love of the game.

For me the league has past me by, not in my head but in my age and body. With our team playing once more against all the other teams in the league, I'm going to enjoy playing with and against the players of the league and take in how far the league has come over the years.

I'd like to thank my teammates from the past and present for their support. Darryl Braine, Bill Morris and I have played together 20 years with the Hawks / Chiefs, time flies when your having fun. Greg Cromwell, the reason why they call it a gentlemen's hockey league. To my teammates today, I thank you for your patience, hopefully I gave you a rest between shifts.

I know.... I know, your wondering if I will continue to run the league, well I will make that decision after this season's playoffs are over. I've enjoyed running the league the past 18 years and just because I will no longer play in it does not mean I won't continue to run it or help run it if you want me to.

To all the players past and present, it's been fun.

#21 Kelly B. Saunders