By Samantha Joseph
Staff writer
MARTIN COUNTY - By day, Andre Lambros is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo in Stuart.
But come Thursday evenings, the 49-year-old asset manager laces up his skates to join members of the Martin County Adult Hockey League at the rink in Halpatiokee Park.
There, he is known as "The Commish," the head of a thriving hockey league, which is experiencing a resurgence in popularity since limiting admission to players older than 30.
"The talent level has certainly gotten higher, and we're playing at a much higher level than five or six years ago," said Mr. Lambros, who runs the league, overseen by the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department.
Since transitioning from an all-age adult group to one reserved for older players, participants say the league now affords each player a better chance at a significant role in each game.
"Some of the older guys, who are sometimes not as talented as the teenagers, never touched the puck," Mr. Lambros said. "It was no fun for them."
Now the 48 players on the league's six teams are more evenly matched when they meet for matches from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays during the season that runs from Sept. 6 to Dec. 13.
"It's probably a little less competitive, but it's always fun," said Kyle Thorsteinson, a 43-year-old forward.
"We see all kinds of levels of players, from intermediate to really good. It's just really enjoyable."
Now in its 26th season, the league attracts about half a dozen players each year and still retains many of its founding members.
Among the founders is Mr. Thorsteinson, who grew up playing ice hockey in Canada until graduating high school. He left the sport for about 15 years until he started to coach his young son's local team and became part of a group to create the league in Martin County.
"I've enjoyed playing every season. You've got a really good group of guys and everyone's out there to basically have fun and get a little bit of exercise," he said. "It's a great league, a great way for people to play the game, enjoy it and have fun. I'm really glad that Martin County has the rink and makes it available for people to play."
For more information on the league, visit www.orgsites.com/Fl/hockey. MARTIN COUNTY - By day, Andre Lambros is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo in Stuart.
But come Thursday evenings, the 49-year-old asset manager laces up his skates to join members of the Martin County Adult Hockey League at the rink in Halpatiokee Park.
There, he is known as "The Commish," the head of a thriving hockey league, which is experiencing a resurgence in popularity since limiting admission to players older than 30.
"The talent level has certainly gotten higher, and we're playing at a much higher level than five or six years ago," said Mr. Lambros, who runs the league, overseen by the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department.
Since transitioning from an all-age adult group to one reserved for older players, participants say the league now affords each player a better chance at a significant role in each game.
"Some of the older guys, who are sometimes not as talented as the teenagers, never touched the puck," Mr. Lambros said. "It was no fun for them."
Now the 48 players on the league's six teams are more evenly matched when they meet for matches from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays during the season that runs from Sept. 6 to Dec. 13.
"It's probably a little less competitive, but it's always fun," said Kyle Thorsteinson, a 43-year-old forward.
"We see all kinds of levels of players, from intermediate to really good. It's just really enjoyable."
Now in its 26th season, the league attracts about half a dozen players each year and still retains many of its founding members.
Among the founders is Mr. Thorsteinson, who grew up playing ice hockey in Canada until graduating high school. He left the sport for about 15 years until he started to coach his young son's local team and became part of a group to create the league in Martin County.
"I've enjoyed playing every season, You've got a really good group of guys and everyone's out there to basically have fun and get a little bit of exercise," he said. "It's a great league, a great way for people to play the game, enjoy it and have fun. I'm really glad that Martin County has the rink and makes it available for people to play."
For more information on the league, visit www.orgsites.com/Fl/hockey.