MEATSTIX HOCKEY
About the Meatstix
Founded by a group of Greenwich hockey players, the Meatstix are dedicated to all things Meaty. Created from the ashes of the Greenwich Men's League, the original Meat were made up of members from two squads (The Merrill Lynch Bulls & Horse Neck Tavern). The Meatstix were an instant fan favorite, combining ice prowess and a willingness to go deep into the night upstairs at the bar.
Our name was the brainchild of founding member John Bates who combined his love of Meat (see Sweet & Meaty) with the tradition of spelling Lax things with the "stix" ending. Brilliant!
Dan O'Neill served as Captain for many years, flanked by his trusted defensive partner Jason Gilbride. Together they formed an impenetrable "wall of pain" for those who dared to venture in front of our goalie.
Being a multicultural organization, the Meat has represented many countries including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Scotland, the UK, and Japan. This "Melting Pot on Ice" has forged some interesting moments along the way, for example –it is alleged that one of our Japanese decedents (Bob Nakasone) once used his stick as a Samurai sword.
Other notable founding players include Tom Odelfelt, RJ Jacoby, Ryan Gildersleeve, Sean Duane, John Hoekman, Hans Richter, myself and several other players I am forgetting right now.
Today the Meatstix boast a thriving Hockey community with over 60 active members playing in three divisions at Chelsea Piers CT.
- James Mairs, GM
HOME RINK
Chelsea Piers CT, Stamford CT
Captains
Div 2 - Sam Gersten/ Greg De Spoelberch
Div 3 - Jason Gilbride
Div 4 - Tom Odelfelt
Team Specialties
Dangling - Doug Rodda
Pissing Teams Off - Robbie Salvatore
4 Line Passing - Matt Baronak
Offensive Zone Defense - Tony Howell
Best Hands - Craig Wingrove
Least likely to use birth control - Greg Trager
Team All-Philly - Mike Pisko
Actually Wearing #99 - Bob Nakasone
Best Nickname - Brendan "Killer" Connerty
Largest Meat Sticker - Marino Marin
Late Arrivals - Keyan Jamshidian
Back Checking & Good Looks - Tom Odelfelt
Anger Management - Dan Bradley
4-Second Slap Shot - Billy Bruce
All New England - Chris Brush/Chris Wilson
Hardest Shot - Tommy Flynn
110% Every Shift - Traver "Homicide" Hutchins
Most Handsome - Bjorn Soderstrom/Lee Milazzo
Aged Wonder - Bruce "The Commodore" Jolliffe
“Why don't you put that tape on your mouth, you f'ing (expletive)”
Robbie Salvatore
“Lets go up for just one boys”
Scott Campbell
“You Spanish guys should stick to Soccer”
Unknown
“I'm not f'ing Spanish...I'm Italian and I am armed and dangerous”
Spanish Mess
Today's squads consist of an assortment of fine cuts.
Div 2 has several championships under it's belt boasting players like Geoff Exum, Sam Gersten, Mike Pisko, Robbie Salvatore, Doug Rodda, Ian Tarrant, Tommy Flynn, Greg De Spoelberch (Despo), Mike McRoy, Will Piro, Greg Trager, and Ritchie Henderson. Alumni of this team include all-time Meat great Cam Hicks and professional star Danielle Ward.
Div 3 is where the aged Meat is kept with many players well into their medium-rare years. Anchored by Meat legend Jason Gilbride, "Middle Meat" brings a devastating combination of experience, will power, and bar stamina. This group includes many of the Meat greats such as Billy Bruce, Brendan "Killer" Connerty, Chris Brush, Craig Wingrove, Dan "Pro" O'Neill, Keyan "The Sheik" Jamshidian, Matt "Swiss Army Knife" Baronak, Scotty "Just One" Campbell, Tom "The Black Swede" Odelfelt. And who can leave out Matty "Ice" Head between the pipes.
Div 4 is another example of quality beef. This group isn't the fastest. They are not the best passers. They don't have great hands. But they DO win. Several of these Meatstix took up hockey much later in life but that hasn't stopped them from becoming true champions. All of us have been inspired by players like Marino "Spanish Mess" Marin, Lee Milazzo, and Wally "Gunner" Brown. Marino has recently modeled his game after the movie Goon, spending long stretches of time in the box. There are no finer examples what it is to be Meat than Traver "Homicide" Hutchins, Dave "Stitch" Braun, and Chris Wilson. These guys give it all every shift and they make us all play Meatier when we see it. We've added a few more Meats over the years with impact players like John Miserendino, Bruce "The Commodore" Jolliffe, Bjorn Soderstrom, Eric Farrell, Rick "Minnesota Tats" Gioia, and Greg "King" Solomon.
Combined this is a butcher shop filled with the best Meat known to men's league.
Opponents Over The Years
ZETOR
One of our first rivals from the Twin Rinks era. Packed with Czech stonemasons, this group knew how to live the hard way. They would stock the bar upstairs with their own Czech beer and most of them would rip butts and drink all night. They had a player who donned the ultimate Jagr flow.
Colonial South
Felts recalls a game against these guys where a puck was fired at someone's mid section while they were flailing on the ice...Tom skated up and told him "that's why you should wear a face-mask". Needless to say, that team learned about our psychological weapon - the Black Swede. Tom also wants everyone to know he scored 4 goals that game.
the hipsters
A good group of guys who give us a good game most of the time. They rarely beat us but bring a solid effort every time.
Roscoes
These guys are our most heated rival. Packed with guys who don't have a clue how to play the game and boasting several players who look like they know how to eat. Fights, ejections, and bad sportsmanship...that is what Roscoes Hockey is all about.
Buzzards
This team is solid with many friends of the Meat plus some of our most talented opposition. Games are intense but never cross over into bad play.
Zambronies
Max started this team the same year he decided to play net. They are getting better all the time and we have much respect for them.
OCELOTS
Made up primarily of the debris that Roscoes became, the Ocelots try hard but never seem to get anything going. Known mostly for their chirping the refs, these guys need to rethink their game.
KETTLE ONE
This squad has been around for many years and was founded by friends of the Meat. We've had some great games against this bunch who now call themselves the Buzzards.
The PUNISHERS
Whining, complaining, and bringing in ringers at the last minute - this classy group knows how to steal a championship away.
The FREEBIRDS
This team might as well be called "THE SLASHERS" or the "BITCHES". Not much to write about here...these guys blow.
