Two Huntsville men join Team Canada 80+ against U.S.

The two 80+ athletes will play in a tournament representing Canada

Two hockey players from Huntsville are set to join Team Canada 80+ against the US next week.

81-year-old John Snowden and 84-year-old David Mallette will play in the tournament at the Appleby Ice Centre in Burlington, Ontario, from October 21^st to the 24^th.

Two top teams from Canada and two US teams will playoff for the cup, said Snowden.

Both Snowden and Mallette were chosen to play in the tournament by the Team Canada 80+ organization.

Snowden said that he and Mallette are also members of Huntsville’s Senior’s Shinny minor hockey at the Summit Centre.

He explained that the Seniors Shinny leagues have various senior age groups that range from 55+ up to 75+ groups, and he’s played with all the age groups, including three games all in one day yesterday.

He added that the groups aren’t just for men, as there’s women’s shinney groups too, and sometimes they play co-ed as well. He said, “It’s not exclusive to men, that’s for sure!”

However, this is his first year playing in the Team Canada hockey tournament, and it’s the 4^th time for Mallette, he explained.

5 of Huntsville’s hockey players from the shinny leagues were also inducted out of members across the country to the Canada 80+ Hall of Fame in August 2024, indicated Snowden.

“It’s a big honour for me to be able to do that,” he said, adding that he was first introduced to Seniors Shinny hockey in 2011, at 66 years old.

He explained that it’s also a “big deal” to represent Team Canada in the upcoming tournament.

Both he and Mallette are looking forward to next week’s tournament.