Former Gryphons return to challenge 09/10 team

NEW GLASGOW - You can compare the stats - how many goals scored or how many games won. It'll give you a vague idea of what year a hockey team was good and what year they struggled.
But the North Nova Education Centre Gryphons would like something a little more tangible.
Today the boys hockey team will get just that as they host their annual Alumni Challenge games at Ivor MacDonald Memorial Rink in Thorburn.
During the challenge the current roster of the Gryphons will play the Alumni teams of NNEC in one-hour matches from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
This challenge has been held every year since 2005 and puts each team's reputation on the line as they battle to show on the ice what the stats may or may not show.
It's also a time to catch up and reflect, says coach Dave Robertson.
"It's just gives some of the players from years past a chance to get together and see one another for a while," he said.
Many of them don't get to see each other often because they are away at college or working elsewhere, but at the holidays are home.
Robertson likes the reunion with his former players.
"You get to see guys that you haven't seen in a few years and find out what they're doing and where they're living," he said.
It's also fun for the teams to see how they compare with each other.
This year's team should do well against the alumni, Robertson said.
While they may not have the same talent as other years, no team has shown more work ethic and team effort than this year's Gryphons.
When they get on the ice it could be anyone's game, however.
"The old fellows are getting older and slower," Robertsonsaid said.
But, then again, the older players have the experience and skill that younger players may lack.
"The young fellas get schooled some times," Robertson admits.
This challenge is something the players look forward to all year.
Two current players were recently injured and won't be able to play in the game.
"They're really crying they can't play," Robertson said. "This was one thing they were looking forward to."
The game against the teams from the class of 2004 and class of 2005 will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The classes of 2006 and 2007 teams will play this year's squad from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and the teams from class year's 2008 and 2009 alumni will face of against the Gryphons of today from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.