Farewell to a Teammate

From time to time the blogger has to write about something other than all the great fun we have playing hockey, hanging out, drinking beer, and eating delicious treats after the games. Sometimes life comes along and changes up the scenario on you, and something goes away, for good. Change, on any level, can be a formidable opponent, as most of you know.

The point of this post is to let you know that one of our long time temmates has had some tough decisions to make lately, and ultimately she's decided to hang up the skates and call it a career.

Now, I don't need to tell you that none of us are exactly spring chickens anymore, but it is still a real drag to hear that someone so young, and active, is ready set aside the sport of hockey for less dangerous hobbies and pursuits.

I heard through Mitch and iJosh that Deb Dalessio (DJ to all of us) was fighting an injury and was considering calling it quits as this winter season wore on. I reached out to Deb to see what was up, and she responded to my questions with a nice email explaining her situation, and the tough decision she faced. I've included her entire message here for you all so she can tell the story in her own words.

"I started playing in either 1997 or 1998 with the CADavers. Mitch got me and my (then) boyfriend (now husband) onto the team. We knew Mitch and Josh from college. I had just moved back to Boston after living in New Hampshire for a couple of years. We were playing in Fessendon as I recall and getting beaten by 10 goals every game. At some point, my husband lost his passion for the game, but I didn't.
Nelson's wife Gretchen used to play with the CADavers and she got me on the women's team I am retiring from. I am competitive on the women's team, unlike the CADavers, where I'm always been one of the worst players. But despite this, I've always enjoyed playing on the CADavers and always had good friends on the team.
I've gotten 2 concussions with the women's team this year. A few years ago I got a big one where I didn't lose consciousness, but I was very slow and had trouble talking. (When someone asked me what happened, my answer was "Hit head, hit head" spoken like a 3 year old). My concussions have been on the minor side (this year anyway), but both have resulted from very minor contact. My big concussion was not a big hit either. My husband's high school friend is a neuropsychologist and his boss advises the NFL on concussions. When Dan's friend told him about my concussions, he said I should stop playing. Let's face it, if minor contact gives me headaches and nausea, what would a big hit do to me. And repeated minor concussions aren't good either.
I've been putting off sending the official e-mail because it's hard to admit the truth. I play with three women on the other team who are over 50, and I've always hoped I'd play hockey that long, but now I won't make it to 40.
I've also been putting off coming to a game, because I'll probably embarrass you all by crying. I finally told the women's coach a week ago and I let loose the waterworks (and the poor guy is over 70). So I guess, no, I'm not taking it too well, but hockey's been a good part of my life for over 15 years, and I'll definitely miss it.
I've always enjoyed playing with the CADavers. Over the 10 years some teams have been better than others. Though this current team isn't the most talented (though FAR from the worst), it's definitely one of the most fun to play with. No one has ever hesitated to pass me the puck, even when I was missing them right and left. It's a very upbeat team and everyone has fun whether losing or winning (though everyone would prefer to win).
I wish everyone the best of luck.
-dj"


There you have it. Friends, I don't mind telling you that faced with the same decision... I would not be handling it as well as DJ. I think any of us confronted with the prospect of losing the sport of hockey would be facing some personal difficulty. I sense she's taking it like she took her shifts on the ice, with grit and determination. Just playing with a bunch of foul-mouthed, smelly, old-guys like us is enough to scare anyone off but DJ was always game.... and never put off by seeing any of us with our shirts off. (also nice enough not to laugh...)

Deb, on behalf of Management and the whole roster, I wish you the best of luck in the future. I hope you never have another concussion and you find some other sport or activity to fill the void left behind by playing with the Zombies and Suds. You are always welcome to come hang out with us even if you aren't on the ice.

We were always a stronger roster with you on it, and you've been with us for 10 years. A decade is no short stint. Regardless of speed or size, (or gender), you never shied away from an opponent, (let alone Campbell during the 'daveurs), and you were always where you needed to be, trying your best ,every night you played. No player could ask for a better teammate.
Thanks for playing with us. Good luck, and take care.

By the way... the equipment manager here at Schlidaveur International has been told NOT to give out your jersey number 24. That one is yours.
(Unless you feel like selling it to a rookie...)

Readers please feel free to comment... in only takes a moment.