If you’ve played recreational hockey in Cold Lake in the past half century, you’ve probably played against Larry Gamache.
Larry, a retired teacher (PhysEd, French, and shop) celebrated his 80th birthday on the ice on Friday. He plays in 50-plus shinny three mornings a week as well as another couple games a week in the CFB Cold Lake rec league.
He’s making up for a late start in the game.
“I never started playing until I was 23,” he said. “I went to U of A and took a course from Clare Drake, and I’ve been skating ever since.”
He’s been playing in Cold Lake since 1973: 52 years. “Out of the four boys that played hockey in my family, I was the worst one,” he said. “And I’m the only one playing.”
A savvy playmaker and a strong skater, Larry holds his own on the ice. As the clock ticked down on Friday’s game, his team sprung him for a couple of breakaways so he could score a birthday goal.
It was a sign of respect that opposing goalie Cam MacLeod didn’t allow him a freebie—if Larry was going to score, he’d have to earn it. MacLeod made both saves, but Larry made sure those weren’t freebies either.
