Think of it as LinkedIn on ice.
A guy who knows a guy
For all of the different things that make the over-35 league interesting (the range of ages, skill levels, hometowns, etc.) the most intriguing aspect is what the players do outside the rink. Few organizations or entities bring together such a professionally diverse array of participants.
“I’m getting new windows in my house and I’m using a guy (from the league). Another guy I use for my HVAC system,” Mark Hauser, a 62-year-old dentist, said. “There are guys who are contractors, handymen, computer people, everything. There are guys with jobs across the board.”
He’s not exaggerating — there’s somebody for nearly every need or every job. Indeed, entire homes have been built using only players in the over-35 hockey league.
Here’s the type of message that’s often sent out to the league’s rank and file:
“Hey, guys,
I’m in the market for two things:
1. A CPA recommendation for a small business.
2. Looking for a good roofer?
Shoot me a message if y’all know anyone for either of those.
Thanks.”
That email was sent to 85 men and it’s pretty typical.
Connections for such requests are usually quickly made either directly or through a guy who knows a guy. Everyone is left happy. And the players insist there’s never any pressure or hard sells when it comes to off-the-ice affairs.
“We all go to the bar afterwards, have a couple and talk shop,” Madey, a contractor, said. “We talk about life and that’s what’s nice about it — nobody pushes things. Yet we all still use each other.”
Besides, who better to retain for a job or whatnot than someone you can body-check into the glass if the work is subpar?
Fun and names
Still, when it’s all said and done, it goes back to adults playing a game. Grown-man hockey, nonetheless a game.