MEQUON — Many may view the sport of Hockey too physically demanding for athletes, let alone for skaters well beyond their youth.
But not Gene Wagner.
The longtime Ozaukee Ice Center member and founder of the senior-led Bald Eagles Hockey Club is inspiring countless others by lacing up his skates at 99 years old. And to honor Wagner and all of his achievements, the double-sheet ice facility located at 5505 Pioneer Road is dedicating its skate rental counter as the “Gene Wagner Skate Shack.”
“It’s such a tribute because we all, you know, certainly respect his efforts, but he’s also been just an ambassador for I think those of us who are aging,” Wagner’s Bald Eagles teammate Deb Donovan told the News Graphic. “We still have a place to play a game that we love and have social interaction.”
The Fond du Lac native turned Cedarburg resident started the non-checking, non-competitive hockey club for individuals 55 and older when he was 72 years old, but his hockey roots date back far before then. Donovan recalled that Wagner as a kid was borrowing skates from the neighbors and walking from one side of town to the other with his brothers to play.
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His involvement with the sport only grew when the center opened in 1995 just down the road from his home, as he began playing a pivotal role on and off the ice.
“During his skating time playing hockey, he was also a pretty regular skate guard for public skates,” Donovan noted. “Because he’s out there every Sunday with the community, with the little kids, with anybody who wanted to come out and just skate on the rink, and he was a skate guard and kind of monitored that. So he’s known by a lot of people.”
Though Donovan shared that Wagner has recently been dealing with some health conditions, his spirit remains high and he hopes to return to the rink soon. She added that his goal is to continue skating at 100 years old.
“His passion for hockey and dedication to our community continue to inspire us all,” the Ozaukee Ice Center posted on social media. “Thank you, Gene, for everything you’ve given to Ozaukee Ice Center! We’re proud to celebrate your incredible legacy on and off the ice.”