Dennis Perez Proves It’s Never Too Late to Learn Hockey
Three years ago, at age 60, Dennis Perez laced up ice skates for the first time. It was an unusual path to competitive hockey for a guy who grew up in inner-city Camden, New Jersey.
“I played every major sport except hockey,” Perez said. “Being Puerto Rican, baseball was the number one sport.”
Which is not to say that he had no interest in hockey. After all, he grew up during the “Broad Street Bullies” era of the Philadelphia Flyers and his father worked as head cook in a local bar that those players frequented.
Perez grew up as a big hockey fan. He played street hockey growing up, but he never tried getting on the ice.
Perez went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985 to 1989. He then worked for the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Now retired, Perez works security at Cooper University Hospital in Camden and lives in Bellmawr.
He discovered the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors when he met some of the program’s players at a Flyers event. After attending an Adult Learn to Skate program, Perez signed up with the Warriors.
Warrior Hockey is USA Hockey’s discipline dedicated to injured and disabled U.S. military veterans.
“I didn’t want to go to the Warriors without having [some skating experience],” said Perez, who had only rollerbladed a few times in the past. “I just didn’t want to show up, you know? I’ll be 63 in September, which would be three years that I’ve been skating.”
When Perez first joined the Warriors, it was something of a homecoming.
“It was like it started filling a void that I didn’t know I had,” Perez remembered. “It was the camaraderie with the guys in the locker room and the military. There’re certain things you can say and discuss that nobody understands or can relate to.”
Three years into his hockey career, Perez, a forward, said he feels that his game has improved.
“Some of the players have told me they have seen a difference in me playing,” said Perez, adding that he’s gotten positive feedback from coaches, as well. “Now, getting on the ice, I’ve learned different things like the positioning as a winger. I’ll watch the game differently now. I love the game and I enjoy it but now I watch it differently.”
Some people have told Perez that he’s “crazy” to be playing hockey at his age. However, he doesn’t see it that way.
“I wish that I played this game sooner,” Perez said. “I told everyone that I wish I started sooner because this was the only major sport that I’ve never participated or played. I’m one of the oldest guys. The young guys call me old man.”
In his 60s, Perez has his share of aches and pains from playing hockey. He’s careful about stretching before and after hitting the ice. He has also taken up yoga.
“When I get away from [yoga], I feel it,” he said. “I feel the difference. I’m a little smarter now to the point where if I feel I’m about to tweak something, then I back [down].”
His relationship with the Warriors has opened up a new world for Perez. Above even the camaraderie and hockey, he values the charity work done by the team.
One of his favorites is Flyers Youth Special Hockey, where children with developmental disabilities get the chance to learn and play hockey with “buddies” such as Perez.
“I’ll work with them, go out, help them skate and play hockey,” he said. “I really enjoy doing that.”
As National Hispanic Heritage Month approached, Perez had a notion to help introduce Hispanic children to hockey.
“I want to find some kids and show them this is something else you can do,” he said. “If you play multiple sports, you’ll be better.”
Having discovered hockey so late in life, Perez has no plans to abandon the sport anytime soon.
“I’m just going to keep going until the good Lord tells me, ‘Yeah, you need to stop,’” Perez said. “Even if I can’t play anymore, I will still be out there on skates with the guys. I’ll skate around with the hockey stick in my hand and just do what I can do out there.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
