REAL PHOTOS of THE REAL IRON MEN OF HOCKEY

Greg Lopatka is an Iron Man who originally hails from Chicago, Illinois. [February 2023]

The Iron Inquisitor : When did you start playing?

Greg : I began my hockey career very late in life, when I was in college.

The Iron Inquisitor : How old are you today (February 2023)?

Greg : I will be 83 in 2 weeks.

The Iron Inquisitor : Tell us a little about this picture on the left.

Greg : This picture was taken after my greatest moment in Hockey; I thought about retiring after that night. My 13-year-old great granddaughter, Carmela, started skating with us, she was as good as many of us Duffers. That night, she scored early and then her dad and grandpa scored. Then it happened on my last shift, I got a pass from my grandson and I scored, giving us goals from 4 generations. 

Carmela quit (L to R) Greg Lopatka (83), Ken Lopatka (61), Mike Lopatka (34) Front, Carmela Lopatka (13) 

The Iron Inquisitor : How often do you lace up these days?

Greg : I have been playing every Friday since September, except for one week when I got Covid, just before Christmas.

The Iron Inquisitor : Where do you normally play?

Greg : We play at Canlan Ice Rink in Romeoville Illinois. We play every Friday at 8:20, September through May. We will take a train to Buffalo so that we can play in the KeyBank arena on April 13 after the Sabres play Ottawa. The next day, we will play in their practice rink that is located on the 6th floor of the Marriott. We can take the elevator to our game.

The Iron Inquisitor : Any health issues? How long do you plan to play?

Greg : I was ready to quit when I was 65 with painful hips. I had my right hip replaced in 2005 and then my left was replaced in 2006. I have had no pain playing with those hips.  My knees are good. I plan to play until my knees tell me to quit. 

The Iron Inquisitor : Tell us a little more about your hockey life.

Greg : Well, Emil Ludi showed me your book and told me that I should be in it. So let's get Volume 2 rolling. My team The Duffers will take a train road trip to Buffalo on April 13. Coach Granato has arranged for us to play at the KeyBank Rink after the Sabres play Ottawa. We will play another game on Friday in their practice rink. We did that last April, after they played the Blackhawks. Head coach Don Granato played with us when he was a teen, so he is happy to roll out the red carpet for us. We even had free beer in our locker rooms.  His Dad Don Sr. is over 80 and had to quit a few years ago because of health problems. He and his brother Bob will be on the train to Buffalo. 

http://www.lopatka.net/ 

Tony Andrea is an Iron Man from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Can you imagine a piece of the universe more fit for Iron Men? You can discover more about Tony's Hockey Life in Canada on page 14 of The Real Iron Men Of Hockey book. 

The Iron Inquisitor : Hello Tony.

Tony : Hello Iron Inquisitor.

The Iron Inquisitor : When did you start playing?

Tony : I started playing fun shinny on the family farm pond/rink with siblings & neighbours at about age 6 or 7 (am 3rd youngest of family of 15 children....11 boys & 4 girls). Started organized minor hockey at about age 14. And continued thru High School, Junior & Varsity.

The Iron Inquisitor :  How often are you playing now?

Tony : I'm now playing well organized shinny 2 times weekly with the 60+ Ancient Mariners.... and skating briskly 2 or 3 other times each week. 

The Iron Inquisitor : What rink ? 

Tony : Shearwater Rink for hockey ....... & skating at Cole Harbour Place & the RBC Centre.

The Iron Inquisitor : What health issues do you still play with ?

Tony : Although none currently, have over the years (like most other players) suffered hamstring & the like injuries requiring physio treatments.

The Iron Inquisitor : How many more years do you hope to play ?   

Tony : I will be 87 in April of 2023 ... so... if health holds up should play until 90. 

The Iron Inquisitor : What other good words would you like to share?

Tony : Yes. The 1956 picture with all those Andreas ... While all are closely related the following in Back Row are my brothers : John (coach), Eugene, Elias, Tony (me) & Gabe are Brothers. As well as (in Front Row ) Jake  & Bernie. The remainder ...from 2 different families... are close relatives IE; Mickey (back row) & Ron Bomber (front row) are brothers ....&... Bobby & Teddie (both front row) are brothers. 

Frank Nosek is an Iron Man from The Last Frontier (Alaska). 

Frank often takes the scenic route, by car, from Seward's Icebox to Ontario, Quebec, and other places in order to compete with other Iron Men from easier climates. You can discover more amazing details about Frank's life and hockey adventures on page 160 of The Real Iron Men Of Hockey book. 

The Iron Inquisitor : Hello Frank Nosek, Iron Man from Alaska. 

Frank : Hello Dreaded Iron Inquisitor.

The Iron Inquisitor : How often are you now playing?  What rink and town? 

Frank :   I currently play 2 times a week at the private “Subway Arena” in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Iron Inquisitor : What is the age range of those you play with?

Frank :   I play with the “49rs Hockey Club.” The starting age is 50, and it is divided into 2 groups, younger & older. The age in my group is 65+/- (I’m the oldest…).

The Iron Inquisitor : Do you currently play with injuries current or past that slow you down a bit?

Frank :  About the same as others. I play with spandex around 1 knee, both wrists, & low back, plus 1 sensitive shoulder. Nothing that prevents playing. 

The Iron Inquisitor : I think you have played for the USA 80 + team four times? I recall you and Tony Andrea from Team Canada were the two senior citizens playing in the Burlington Tournament?

Frank :  I played all four 80+ games; told I was the oldest on the USA team in Burlington, and Tony Andrea was the oldest on the Canada team. 

The Iron Inquisitor :  Frank, any other things you would like to share?

Frank :  Yes. All the best for the New Year to you & all of your family! We are all good here… Your team mate, Frank.

Vin Godleski is an Iron Man of New Jersey. Vin's hockey career began under Eisenhower and Diefenbaker. Today, Vin hits the ice with his friends about the time that the sun comes up, while the goalie is still snoozing. You can find the details of Vin's amazing hockey life on page 70 of The Real Iron Men Of Hockey book. 

The Iron Inquisitor : Hello Vin, Iron Man from New Jersey. Tell us a few things about you.

Vin : I played hockey at Tufts (’59) while pursuing engineering and did well: Captain, All-East, Olympic tryout invitee, and later the Tufts Varsity Coach for part of a season. 

The Iron Inquisitor : And what did you do after Tufts?

Vin : I went to Grad school at Dartmouth (T’62). While at Tuck I started refereeing hockey games. Coaches George Akerstrom - KUA and Eddie Jeremiah - Dartmouth were very helpful and gave me the chance to referee many Prep and Dartmouth games and to get established with the ECAC.  

Later I refereed in the ECAC and then minor league Pros (EHL - the Slap Shot League), International Hockey (I ref’d an IIHF Russia-Czech game and NHL (I officiated one NHL game).  

I worked with USA Hockey helping with referee development as district Referee-in-Chief for the time the Atlantic District was formed. 20 years.   In 1997 I was honored to be chosen to receive the John McMullen Award.

Since the Devils moved to New Jersey in 1982, I was an NHL Off-Ice official (1982-2019). I worked over 1500 games.

The Iron Inquisitor : What are you doing today?

Vin : I’m still playing some hockey. Currently its Silver Foxes Sunrise shinny.  Two years ago I played for Team USA in the 80+ US vs. Canada tournament in Ottawa. 

We are blessed with 6 grandchildren, ranging from 2 college students, a Physician Assistant, Astro Physicist, Army Ranger and an iCU nurse.

We now have ties to U Texas, U Georgia, Navy, Temple, Pitt, Kutztown, Merrimack and Southwestern.  Football Saturdays are busy.

Tom Gorman, also known as Captain Hook, will be 84 years young in 2023. Tom is usually a D man. He has played 2 years for Team USA in the  Team Canada 80+ vs Team USA 80+ competition, most recently in Burlington, Ontario, October 2022. You can find the details of Tom's amazing hockey life on page 74 of The Real Iron Men Of Hockey book. 

The Iron Inquisitor : Captain Hook, I mean Tom, how long have you played hockey?

Tom : I began my hockey career at 8 years of age. 

The Iron Inquisitor : What else do you do on the ice, Captain Hook?

Tom :  I was a referee from 1970 to 1989.

I did my second stint at reffing from 2010 to 2019, after I retired on the Cape. Stopped with the COVID shutdown, and didn't go back.

The Iron Inquisitor : What injuries or health issues do you play with?    

Tom : I have no current health issues. 

Dave Moore, hailing from Ontario, will be 85 years young in 2023. You can find the details of Dave's amazing hockey life on page 156 of The Real Iron Men Of Hockey book. 

The Iron Inquisitor : Dave, how long have you played hockey?

Dave : I was born in 1938, and I have played this great game of hockey for 77 years.

The Iron Inquisitor : Dave, please tell us more about your hockey adventures. 

Dave :  I've been playing hockey in Owen Sound Ontario in a 50 Plus league twice a week for many years. I've played in the Canada Cup tournament on two occasions, and I've had the good fortune to play for both countries. On each occasion, the team I played for won the Cup.

The Iron Inquisitor : Perhaps Dave Moore knows how to pick a winner. 

The Iron Inquisitor : What injuries or health issues do you play with?    

Dave : I've had several surgeries including back, shoulder, achilles, three new knees.

The Iron Inquisitor : What other words do you have for us, Dave?

Dave : I love the game and have met many great people who are now friends. The camaraderie in hockey is second to none.

Mr. Moore has decided to hang the skates up for now,  but not too far away, just in case.

David was inducted into the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame, October of 2022, in Burlington, Ontario.

The Iron Inquisitor : David, how long have you played hockey?

David : I started playing when I was 6. The highlight of my hockey career is having recently played on Team Canada 80+ vs Team USA 80+. 

The Iron Inquisitor : What league or rink do you play out of and what is the age group ? 

David : The last few years have been at the Canada Summit Center in Huntsville, Ontario. The 65+ 70+ and the women of all ages let this old guy play with them! I play 4 times a

week.

The Iron Inquisitor : How long do you hope to continue playing?  

David : As long as I can! Try and surpass Mark! (Mark Sertich).

The Iron Inquisitor : What injuries or health issues do you play with?    

David : I have no injuries or health issues. Survived prostate cancer and skin cancer. 

I'm on a high protein low carbohydrate protocol. Organic, grass fed beef and all other meats are hormone free. Immunity building supplements.