New men's hockey league

The Caledon Oldies Hockey League will debut this fall at the new Caledon East arena for men at least 45 years of age.

The season will begin in October and run for 29 weeks, with all games completed by 11:30 p.m.

Addressing the needs voiced by senior hockey players, men want:

• More opportunities to play hockey. • To be done earlier than midnight. • To avoid playing younger, faster, aggressive men. • Central Caledon location. • Good quality referees.

• The off ice fun surrounding hockey.

"With the new arena just completed in Caledon East, this will open up opportunity for players on the west side of Caledon, while still only 10 minutes away from Bolton," said co-founder Greg Unger.

Four teams of 14 men will register this month, and after drafting squads, will begin playing in October, for 29 weeks to mid-April. Two games every Thursday night are scheduled at 9 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., allowing time for one-hour games, plus warmups.

"Men over 50 still like to play hockey, but not at the pace and intensity some 35 year olds go," co-founder Ron Porter pointed out. "We want this to be competitive but include all levels of ability, with quality referees enforcing Oldtimers Hockey rules."

This new league is already a member of the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association. It provides insurance - including on-ice dental and medical benefits, Web site, software, ball caps and advice on other unexpected issues. Eventually, the minimum age is expected to grow to a 50+ minimum age, and if ice time becomes available, to a sixteam league.

The new Caledon East arena is located beside the Caledon Community Complex, just behind the Caledon OPP station, on Old Church Road just east of the main intersection.

Registration closes Aug. 21, with a $50 deposit (nonrefundable) due by Aug. 31. The remaining $375 will be due before the second game. Players can contact caledonoldieshockey@rogers.com for further information.