Three on three ball hockey season is underway with intensity once again in the NSA league's pre-season draft pick games. I decided to don the pads and guard the net between the posts the other night, wanted to try out and at least be available to be a back up goalie. I like playing out, that’s what I’ve done for most of my life though I remember the early days of playing road hockey in front of our house with the big teenagers – they’d put me in net and would cheer me on – keeping me in the game after I “saved” a tennis ball off my nose or forehead! I’d wipe the blur away and keep going, no mask, no pads, just a stick, a baseball glove and all heart.

Things are different now gear wise but it’s just as fun and keeps me feeling young. Most times if life or health is getting me down, all else fades away when I play hockey. I had wanted to be goalie when I was a kid but I could skate so I played out, no complaints. Being a goalie is tough. Now it’s To Be Goalie or Not Goalie? - that is the question I’ve been told I must answer by the end of next Tuesday night. If only I could do both. I love the rush of the game as a player and was happy to make the top 10 scoring last season.

Now I could give up the goal of trying to better my goals and assists this year and see how I do in the game wins, and goals against, the shots on net, and saves department. Yes I think it would be interesting to tally up how many shots a goalie faces each night. Each goaltender would have to keep count on a game-by-game honour system and then add the numbers to the score sheet. And there’s also the chance of scoring a few assists now, and then with a well placed pass or touch!

What I want to do is play where I can contribute the most to my team, and have fun while doing it. As a goalie you sweat a lot more with all that gear on and you don’t really get much of a break in the arena of the small gym floor. There’s not as much cardiovascular as you’re not running full out but you need endurance, quick reflexes and a good defense! And forwards have to get those eight goals asap to help end the onslaught – I mean win the game.

It’s a best two out of three games series, time pending each night. The first team to reach eight goals in a game is the winner. It’s intense but there’s no game like it!

It will be interesting to see how the draft goes, some players aren’t returning and I see a lot of new faces. Stay tuned for my decision, and the Captains draft picks of who’s playing where?

Look out, we're going to have a lot of fun out there!