hockey on houston

if i were to list those things from which i derive the most enjoyment, reciting poetry would be at the top of the list. but a very very close second would be playing hockey. i started playing when i was five and played off and on growing up, in college and after. when i moved to manhattan i wanted to play either ice or roller but the organized leagues didn't jive with my schedule or bank account; games were often on sunday and the leagues were uber pricey. but a couple of months ago i found out that a bunch of dudes play pick-up roller hockey down in the village on the weekends. i was pumped (to put my level of excitement into perspective, i felt how davis feels every time he watches an episode of newport harbor). i dusted off my skates and headed down to houston and 6th ave for my first nyc hockey experience. i was not disappointed. the competition and ambiance were exceptional. i played for four hours and went home exhausted, but in bliss.

hockey in nyc is unique, partly because of the diverse mix of guys and partly because of the location. you get the guys from the bronx who make you wonder if they're sponsored by the mafia; you get the attorneys and the bankers; you get the college students and the college drop-outs; you even get celebrities (tim robbins and i played on the same team yesterday. as this photo clearly depicts, i'm the handsome guy with the black shirt looking to the left and he's sitting to the right with the red/black pants and black shirt looking at the camera. we're pretty tight. i scored the winning goal in one of our games and he tried to carry me off on his shoulders.).



playing hockey on houston and 6th has the added advantage of being located right between soho and the village and therefore is a major thoroughfare for locals and tourists going between the two neighborhoods. crowds gather to watch the games (or perhaps tim); attractive women wander buy. this combination, coupled with the urban surroundings, makes for a very cool ambiance. and this ambiance, coupled with competitive hockey, makes hockey on houston an ideal saturday afternoon activity. almost as ideal as competing in the nuyorican poetry slam...