By Lisa Zola-DeLibero
If you would have told Hamilton resident Harry Meeks in 1978 the street hockey league he created that year would still be around in 2014, he would have laughed and said, “Yeah, right.”
But the Mercer County Street Hockey League didn’t only outlast Meeks’ expectations, it has grown into a year-round activity for scores of area hockey players looking to continue their careers beyond youth. The league has come a long way from its origins as a semi-illegal, pick-up league that used Hamilton elementary schoolyards and the Agway tennis courts as rinks.
“The fact that the league has hung on as long as it has is a miracle,” Meeks said. “We used to get kicked out of the schoolyards, by the police, when we were just kids. But then we got smart, and went to a Mercer County Freeholders meeting in the early ’80s. We came up with a proposal for a rink, and because of the dedication of certain guys, particularly Dave Bersey and the late Tom Gresko, the dream of a rink became a reality. The fact that the rink is in Veterans Park makes it extra special for everyone.”
A 1981 graduate of Hamilton West, Meeks is still active in the league, now serving as the Director of Game Day Operations for the MCSHL. A welder by trade, Meeks is an offensive player who has passed his love of street hockey on to the next generation. His sons Harry Jr. and Kenny have also played in the league.
Commissioner Pete Anapol, also an offensive player, said the league is a place for the die-hard hockey fan to play. The 42-year-old computer support technician resides in Hamilton, and got involved with the league five years ago.
“I grew up playing street hockey with my friends, and loved it,” Anapol said. “I ended up running into a friend five years ago who gave me the information about the league. I gave them a call, and now, as of last year, I am running the league.”
Anapol took over a vacant position, and set out to remake the league. He put together a committee to deconstruct and reconstruct the existing league, with the goal of opening up more opportunities for the MCSHL. Among those opportunities is the chance to run special events for charities like the Susan B. Koman Foundation, as well as finding sponsors for more teams.
To date, teams are sponsored by Killarney’s Publick House, Dubh Linn Square, Wildflowers Too in Yardville, The Howarth Group, Marty’s Bar and Grill Place in Trenton and Blend Bar and Bistro in Hamilton.
“All of us play the game because it gives us the same outlet that the softball leagues do,” Anapol said. “All different professions come to play, like firefighters, teachers, policemen, accountants, computer guys, lawyers, and anyone who loves the game. If you have an interest in hockey, you are welcome.”
Everyone involved is hoping to get a couple more teams going. Although the league consists of mostly men on each team, women are definitely eligible to play, and are welcome. The games are played on Sunday mornings starting at 8:30, with the last game is usually done by 1:30 p.m. The season was scheduled to start Sept. 28.
There are 10 teams right now with 15 to 20 players, all 18 or older.
“We have some guys in their mid to late 50s who can still play the game really well,” Anapol said. “We love when people just stop by and watch, especially our families and friends.”
Killarney’s team captain Mark Odenheimer, 35, serves as the league website administrator when he’s not teaching 6th grade math in Willingboro. He started playing street hockey in the 1990s with his brothers in the family driveway. He’s finding a new family with the MCSHL.
“My biggest thing is, if you’re going to be on a team, be on the team, and play as a team, which is what these guys do,” Odenheimer said. “This is also more than just playing hockey. We are all friends who go out after the games to our sponsor’s places, and just hang out and spend time together. It’s great because our wives and girlfriends all get along really well, too.”
As webmaster, Odenheimer makes sure that the stats and game results are always up to date. Every Sunday after the games, he puts the league stats and individual stats up so that everyone knows what went on with the games that day.The league also posts game cancellation information via texts. All games that are cancelled are played at the end of the season before playoffs. As a league that plays through the winter, it has to have a backup plan. Last winter caused havoc, for example, and forced the league to reschedule games from eight of 9 Sundays.
But athletes stick with the league.
Former Nottingham goaltender Bryan Rock, now 21, says that the league is made up of a lot of guys who have helped the younger guys break in.
“Our team, which started out just doing a few summer tournaments, is now made up of a lot of young guys, and a couple of older guys who really help us out, and are outstanding players,” Rock said. “We started out as the Purple Dinosaurs before joining the league, and are now sponsored by the Blend Bar and Bistro. Last year, we had a really awesome season. Our team is coming back with a vengeance, and we really want to win the Cup. No matter what though, it is a great time with a lot of great guys in the league.”
For more information, contact Peter Anapol at mcstreethockey.com.
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