FIRST EVER 50+ WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT COMING TO ROCHESTER (MICHIGAN SENIOR OLYMPICS)

The 50+ Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament hosted by Michigan Senior Olympics will take place May 2-4, 2014 at the Onyx in Rochester, MI.

The tournament will include teams 50 and older, competing to be called Michigan’s best hockey team.  This is the first time we are hosting this event in the state of Michigan . Come watch the championship game which will be played on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 11:30 AM. There is no charge for spectators at the event so we invite you to join us to support and encourage the athletes, everyone loves an audience!

Friday, May 2nd – 6:00pm & 7:00pm

Saturday, May 3rd – 11:45am & 12:45pm and 5:00pm & 6:00pm

Sunday, May 4th  – 10:00am (Bronze Medal Match) & 11:30am (Gold Medal Match)

The Michigan Senior Olympics is a non-profit organization that promotes healthy lifestyles by organizing state games, sports competitions, plus health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness programs for the over 50 age group in the State of Michigan. MSO looks forward to an exciting time of competition and camaraderie. They offer a challenge to take responsibility, lead a healthy lifestyle, and have fun by joining Michigan Senior Olympics.

There are many ways to be involved with Michigan Senior Olympics. You can be an athlete, a member, sponsor, volunteer, or spectator.  For more information please call Becky Ridky at 248-608-0252 or email info@michiganseniorolympics.org

For a complete listing of the games schedule, visit www.michiganseniorolympics.org or call 248-608-0250 for more information on MSO.

Michele Monson, captain of the Polar Bear female hockey team, will participate in the Michigan Senior Olympic competition. Ms. Monson, and her husband, Gil Ruicci, co-founded the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League in 1988, along with their good friend, NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay. Together they helped find and teach enough women the game of hockey. The end of the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League season is marked by an annual playoff weekend known as the Ruicci Cup.  Christine Slesak. Michele Monson’s teammate for 20 years, says, “she and Gil have done amazing things for women’s hockey in the Detroit area from getting a girl the equipment she needs, helping someone find a team, to getting support from Mr. Ted Lindsay. Their support for women’s hockey has been immeasurable. I’m proud to play with Michele and to call her my friend!”

Former USA National Speed Skating Team member, Judy Smouter, will be participating in this year’s Michigan Senior Olympics as captain of the Hot Flashers. When Judy Smouter was 13, she was scouted at the annual Berkley community skating races by the Wolverine Speed Skating Club’s president. He invited her to join their club and from that time on there was no turning back. Ms. Smouter tried on the long bladed speed skates and grew from the ranks of a beginner to most improved club skater when she was 15 and to U.S. National Speed Skating Team member at the age of 21. She trained in Madison, Wisconsin for the 1972 Olympic team trials. Even though she did not make the Olympic team she was asked to represent the USA in the 1972 World University Games in Lake Placid, New York.

With her great love of skating, Ms. Smouter later tried figure skating at the St. Clair Shores Figure Skating Club and even participated in two club skating shows.  There was but one more skating form to try, hockey, and she did so seven years ago when she started at the Onyx Skating Arena in the Suburban Hockey League and later in the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League. As a center or wing, Ms. Smouter uses her speed skating skills to quickly retrieve the puck and her figure skating skills to easily maneuver on the ice.

This year’s competition is drawing competitors from not only Michigan but from Ohio, Rhode Island and Arizona.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Comment

WPGrow