These hockey players in their 80s are still on the ice: ‘I never quit’

4 days ago 1

By Maggie Penman

The Washington Post

The referee dropped the puck at center ice, and the game kicked off fast. The players were all in their 80s; some had played professionally, while others took up the sport later in life.

Fred Merchant, 88, faced off against former NHL defender Terry Harper, 86. With their helmets on, and exhibiting powerful skating, they could have been decades younger.

Merchant scored two goals before a roaring crowd of family and friends. His team didn’t win, but he was named the MVP in the Legends Game in Superior, Colo., during the weekend of induction activities for the USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in October.

“It didn’t matter how old they were, it didn’t matter how many injuries they had,” Merchant said of the octogenarian players who love the game so much they refuse to quit.