Over 30 Hockey League

Another one of the Over-30 league’s more durable defensemen and reliable elder statesman, and one of its founding fathers who was there when the league began, defenseman Steve Oppedisano has certainly put in his time with the Over-30 league, and been rewarded along the way, with 3 league championships won.  Wearing his customary number 4 shirt, Steve is one of only 4 veteran players that are active members of the exclusive “longevity club” of the Over-30 league, who have played in every season of the Over-30 league since its inception.  We are not sure if that qualify’s Steve as an exceptional individual player or simply a true old-timer of the league.

Now playing in his 38^th season, Steve was not always a defenseman when he started in the Over-30 league.  In his earlier playing days, he competed as a center and was the captain of the Buckeye’s team that played for years up at Hockeytown on Wednesday nights.  Steve made the seamless transition back to defense and used his knowledge of the game, sound positioning and ability to see and read the entire rink to his advantage.  He has one of the most underrated and hardest shots from the point when he takes it.  A stay-at-home defenseman, Steve will occasionally huff and puff his way and join in on the offensive attack.  He is not hard to find on the rink when his team is warming up, as he is the only player lying horizontally on the rink doing his yoga stretches, side bends and his famous rapid-fire crunches.

Rumors & Facts:

• Steve has the uncanny ability to pick up the ball anywhere on the rink, except when it is right in front of him or at his feet
• Named his team The Buckeyes in honor of the name of the Ohio State football team or after the dollar bill because it had the all seeing Eye of Providence above the pyramid on the back
• Posted his career high 24-point season in Spring of 1993 (7-goals, 17-assists)
• When Steve goes for his eye test, after the big letter “E” on the eye chart.., it’s all guessing.
• Spring 2010 Joe Shannon coincidentally missed every game that he was to play against Steve.., thus rendering rumors that Joe didn’t have the ability burn Steve.  Joe Shannon could not be reached for comment.
• Has recently been spotted playing both defense and forward as he tries to pad his career stats.
• Steve has the ability to use both ends of the hockey stick… the curved end to play and defend against some of the leagues great dek hockey players, and the other end to find his car after the game.