USA Hockey Adult Hockey

Sometimes an open-minded parent can learn a thing or two from their kids. That is true for Vinny Brando, who recently noticed how much his 12-year-old son was enjoying playing hockey and decided to take up the sport himself.

“They looked like they were having a lot of fun out there,” Brando said. “I also liked how the coaches were working with the kids.”

The elder Brando, despite being just weeks shy of his 50th birthday, is in his first season of playing in the Saveology Iceplex Adult C2 league in Coral Springs, Fla.

After seeing how much his son, Vincent, was enjoying playing at the Peewee level, Vinny Brando decided to give the sport a try for himself by taking part in a Florida Panthers adult learn to play hockey clinic.

“The people that are involved with the event are very encouraging and even recognized me from attending a previous event,” Brando said. “They made me want to try to learn the game.”

Soon after, he became part of a newly-formed team, the Wings Plus Hot Shots, which also consists of players who took part in the USA Hockey Try Hockey for Free event. It all happened very quickly according to Brando, who credited Hugh Bayne for organizing the team.

“He’s ‘Mr. Everything’ for our team, from handling paperwork to organizing practices and getting our jerseys,” Brando said. “I credit our captain for getting everything together.”

Bayne said the pleasure is his for seeing someone like Brando develop a passion for the sport.

“Vinny is the most motivated guy on the team and he has a good head on his shoulders,” Bayne said. “He pushes himself to improve, and that’s why the guys voted him as an alternate captain.”

Along with taking his son to practices around his work with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Bayne also drives about an hour to Palm Beach weekly to get in more ice time.

With losses by 10-1 and 9-1 in the early part of the season, there’s plenty of room for improvement for the Wings Plus Hot Shots. Teammates say players like Brando will help close the gap, however, as many first-timers among their 20 players continue to learn the sport.

Lee Chamoff enjoys playing defense with his fellow alternate captain, despite being several years younger.

“He’s a really nice guy is really dedicated to putting his best effort in,” Chamoff said. “Despite the hectic schedule that he has, along with the rest of us, Vinny gives all he can out on the ice and keeps up with all of us.”

Brando is grateful for the opportunity and is making the best of it.

“It’s been a learning experience to get out there,” Brando said. “I’ve found it to be a tremendous team sport.”

Brando is rightfully proud of himself and is glad he could make a return to the sport he once played as a youngster on frozen ponds in upstate New York.

“I regret not continuing to play as a kid, and now I can’t believe at 50-years-old I’m playing hockey,” Brando said. “I’ve played all the recreational sports there are and this blows the doors off any of them.”

Brando sees no end in sight for his playing days, either.

“As long as the guys will have me on the team I’ll be there,” he said simply.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.