“Man does not cease to play because he grows old; Man grows old because he ceases to play.”
This quote by George Bernard Shaw can be found on any certificate recognizing the enrollment of a hockey player in the Playmakers 80 and Over Club, something Cherhill resident Walter Babiy recently received.
Recently reaching the 80-year-old milestone, Babiy has never let his age slow him down. In fact, none of his team members have either.
The oldest player on the team, a man from Grande Prairie, is the ripe old age of 85. Walter said he has played on and off with some of these players for about 40 years, and they come from all over the province.
The team recently headed off to Victoria for the Annual Old Timers Hockey Playmakers Tournament March 26-30, where they played three games over three days. Alberta was represented well, and the team managed to win all three games with scores of 4-2, 7-2, and 7-2.
Walter said the tournament was great, and he and his teammates all enjoyed themselves. The team was dubbed the Western Canada 80+ Hockey Champions.
As a child Walter wanted to become involved in athletics. He began playing hockey at about age seven, on a frozen pond in Cherhill.
“Winters are long, you had to do something during the winter time,” he said. “Hockey was the natural choice.”
From there on, hockey was always part of Walter’s life. The hockey enthusiast said he played his best games when he played for University of Alberta Golden Bears.
By the age of 35, Walter thought hockey was all over for him. Suddenly, old timer hockey was in vogue.
“We thought we’d hung up our skates after senior hockey, but that didn’t seem to be the case,” smiled Walter. “We started playing all over again.”
Walter has been playing ever since.
In the late 50s Walter played in Barrhead with the Barrhead Arrows Senior Team, managed by Sam Huculak. Some of Walter’s teammates included Luke Grant, Reiny Koberstein, and Ray Bentz.
In 1984 Walter played in the former Soviet Union against the 1972 Summit Series National team, competing in three games in three different cities.
Another highlight in Walter’s hockey career was his 15-year participation in the annual Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament in California. The tournament was founded by Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, who Walter was able to meet.
Walter still plays with many of his long-term hockey pals three times a week, including ice time in Rich Valley every Wednesday. In fact, his wife Donna said this is the time when hockey stretches into a five hour game.
“You have to get there early, and you play hockey, then you have to spend a couple hours visiting afterwards,” she said.
“There’s always a beer after the game. So that hasn’t changed,” laughed Walter.
Donna said she and the other hockey wives have also formed friendships after all this time. Though she doesn’t attend her husband’s practices, she makes sure to accompany him to any important games and tournaments.
“If I had a nickel for every Zamboni I’ve watched go around the ice I could retire,” laughed Donna. “There is a camaraderie among wives too. We go and have a good time in the stands.”
Walter said playing hockey so often is a motivational thing. Even after a hip replacement five years ago the sport continues keep him active, which he thinks is especially important for seniors.
“I think it gives you a reason to get out there and maintain your health,” said Walter. “I’d say the majority of the players have some sort of medical problem, but they try to overcome these and push the pain back.”
So what’s Walter’s favourite part of the great Canadian sport? Certainly not lacing up the skates, he laughed.
“Just the competitive nature of the sport itself. Even at this late stage in life you still have that competitive spirit,” said Walter. “You still like to execute the good passes and the good shots, and the occasional goal.”
And of course, the friendships he has formed with his teammates over the years.
“I think the comradeship, people that you’ve known over the years, gives you somebody to lean on and exchange a lot of stories with,” said Walter.
