Floor hockey beginnings
Sport of floor hockey has come a long way over the years
Dr. Frank Hayden tells about beginning of floor hockey.
Special Olympics floor hockey has come a long way. Dr. Frank Hayden, a pioneer of the Special Olympics movement, told a story on the beginning of the floor hockey program during the Special Olympics Festival luncheon at Credit Union Place in Summerside on Tuesday.
“Floor hockey is a game that actually began in downtown Toronto in recreational leagues,” said Dr. Hayden in a brief interview with co-emcee Gino Reda of The Sports Network (TSN).
“When I first started at a school in downtown Toronto, there was a high school dropout who was trying to do some phys-ed at the school, and he taught them what he knew, which was floor hockey. “Years later, when I was touring the world with Special Olympics, I was like, ‘Ghee, all the world should be playing floor hockey in the world of Special Olympics.’
“Now we have teams that come to (the Special Olympics World) Winter Games from the Middle East, because they can play hockey, and they do not need to have ice to do it.” There were some early challenges, including support to obtain equipment. It was while he was working in Europe that he introduced floor hockey to different countries in Poland. “I remember the first time we had Russians there,” said Dr. Hayden.
“Two Russians came, one was a big, heavy-set guy, a very nice, pleasant man. The other was a small narrow guy, very uptight and unlikeable to start with.” The pucks and sticks were placed on the floor, and the athletes began playing to gain an introduction to the sport.
“Every once in a while (we’d) stop the game and explain something,” continued Dr. Hayden.
“We get out to start and this little Russian guy goes out and puts himself at centre on the opening line. Blow the whistle, the game starts, the puck comes out, the Russian goes over and grabs the puck and he’s about to go down the floor. I blow the whistle and he looks up at me and I say, ‘You, two minutes.’” The Russian goes to the penalty box, and Dr. Hayden is asked what was the infraction? “I said he didn’t do a damn thing, but you have to understand I am Canadian, and I have been waiting most of my life to put a Russian in the penalty box,” added Dr. Hayden, drawing laughs from the audience.
Leafs’ fan
Head-table guest Darryl Sutter, who coached the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cups, was one of six brothers to play in the National Hockey League. However, he noted his father cheered for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and had a simple message for his sons when playing his favourite team.
“I hope the Leafs kick your ass, but I hope you don’t get hurt,” said Sutter.
Reda also talked to head-table guest and Ottawa Senators defenceman Dion Phaneuf about the team’s run to the Eastern Conference final.
“It was a journey,” said Phaneuf. “There were so many ups and so many downs. Guys who get the opportunity to be there and play that time of the year is what it’s all about. I can’t really explain it.
“When you are in it there is a feeling of competition, that’s why athletes do what they do, they want to compete.
“At that time of the year it was a lot of fun to be playing, and hope to go on a long run next year.”