The Montreal Canadiens of High School Hockey....

It's true....a spring, 1992 edition of the Bergen Record likened my alma-mater, St. Joseph Regional High School to the great Hab dynasty of the 1950's, 60's & 70's. I mean just look at that banner behind us.....lotsa numbers there!

Last month was the annual SJR Alumni Hockey Game. Where out of shape professionals, to most of whom SJR was another lifetime ago, return to re-live the days-gone-by, even if it is only for a few hours. Honestly, that's all I could take. Man...it was embarrassing to realize I am this out of shape! Treadmill, here I come. That being said, for not playing an organized game in two-plus years, I did not do half bad. I didn't have the pace to keep up with the game but I had the pace to wait around until the game came back to where I was on the ice. Either way, I was in the right place at the right time. Two goals, two assists...your typical McKenna line for a game, yes?

Other than the obeseness realization, it was an absolute blast to see some guys that I haven't been around in close to a decade. I remember in the locker room, back in the day, when we were told that we would always be connected by what we accomplished. As a teenager you brush it off immediately but it's true, the feelings come rushing back to you as soon as you see a familiar face.


SJR Hockey Alumni-Photo Credit, Mr. Barry Donnelly

I shared two State, three league and two league playoff (Gordon Cup) championships with some of the guys in that picture . There are others in that picture who came before and actually built the program up from the ground, guys that traveled an hour each way, just so they could play hockey for their high school. There are still others in that pic who came after me, who kept the tradition alive by representing the school with grace, class and determination. Those kids who came after had the toughest part of them all, inheriting a program with a rich history and tradition but suffering a number of setbacks off the ice which crippled the recruiting power of the school for a long while. Those kids are as important in the history of the program as any. If I could give 'em all rings, I would. For them, the payoff is coming....sooner than most people think because after a strong season this year, in an infinitely tougher NJSIAA hockey season than when I played, SJR made the states and made people sit up and take note once again. They have a young team, with almost everyone returning, next year it's moving day for the Knights.

Well, Springsteen's "Glory Days" is just about over on my iPod, as is this little trip. If I bored you, tough. I earned that right, yes?