Hello to the best hockey community anywhere!
The hockey season is in full swing, and there’s a lot to talk about!
From tournament to league updates and some great new gear, here’s everything you need to know to stay in the loop.
Get Ready for Sault Ste. Marie!
Mark your calendars! The annual Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, tournament is happening at Big Bear Arena from January 9-11, 2026. We’re excited to have six teams from our home barn, Crystal Fieldhouse, heading up to compete: Marc Morrison’s Wednesday night team, Flint Oldtimers, Gears Beer Hockey, Brad Richardson’s team, Steve Kennedy’s team, and Mike Davis’s team.
Many of us will be staying at the Kewadin Casino, so get ready to fill up the bar and enjoy some live music after the games.
Pro-Tip: If you want some of my famous Chocolate Protein balls for the trip, get your orders in early! And don’t forget to gear up—the Flint Oldtimers hoodies are perfect for the tournament and can be found at OldtimersHockeyClub.com.
A Quick Note on Winter Drop-In Hockey
This year, I won’t be organizing drop-in hockey this winter. However, I’m more than happy to support anyone who wants to take the lead! If you’re interested in being an organizer, visit perfectskate.com to get started and build your list. The system makes it incredibly easy to manage reminders and communicate with your skaters. Let me know once you’re set up, and I’ll gladly send my list of players your way to get you started.
League Play Roundup
Eclectic Hockey League
Sleeping in on Sunday mornings is awesome! For ten years, I was at the rink by 8 a.m. for our Eclectic Hockey League. A huge thanks to Darrel for keeping the league’s name and spirit alive while handling all the organization. Not much has changed in the league hierarchy—you’ve still got powerhouse teams at one end of the standings and teams that are just as great in Skaters Bar at the other!
You can find all the latest standings and schedules on the Crystal Fieldhouse website: crystalfh.com.
Flint Lapeer Oldtimers Hockey Leagues (50+ & 60+)
Monday 50+ League:
We’re eight games into the season, and the competition is tight! The standings are sure to shift as we go. Watch out for the 2025 Championship team, Gears Beer Hockey—they’re starting out as a sleeper:)
Wednesday 60+ League:
The new Wednesday night league has been even better than expected!
The full schedule and stats for both leagues are now live on OldtimersHockeyClub.com.
Soothe Those Pains and Get the Right Gear
Playing all this hockey can take a toll, especially on the knees and ankles. I’ve found that my BlueLine Balm (available in a roll-on stick or tin) really helps. I’m also excited to introduce the new RedLine Balm, which has more of an “icy hot” feel with Capsaicin Oil, Peppermint, and Menthol. And keep an eye out for a “Budtenders” version coming soon with an extra pain-relief kick!
I’m also working on getting Larry O from All Black Hockey Sticks to bring his trailer up to Crystal Fieldhouse on November 24th. If you’re in the market for a new stick and want to save on shipping, shoot him an email with your request at allblackhockeysticks@gmail.com. The new feather-light 24k sticks are in and going fast! You can check out all their gear at allblackhockeysticks.com.
While you’re there, check out his awesome hoodies that come with a beer-holder pocket—they can even be fully customized for your team.
See you at the rink!
Dave
Gears Beer Hockey
