Over 30 Hockey League

This week the forum is celebrating the retirement of Joe Shannon

On this, the 11^th day of November 2023 please share in the celebration when we officially retire Joe and send his #44 to the rafters.

Aside from Joe’s gifts from the league (which will include a couple of special commemorative pieces)…, we did some additional research in the Forum Archives and decided to make this week’s forum…, “The Best of Joe Shannon” week.

There is only one problem… Article 216 was the first documented online edition, and of course Joe was one of the targets for the writers.  Since then, Joe has appeared in 86-articles from September 2012 until Article 501 in November 2023.

We combed through every story and wanted to share some of our favorites with you.

So, as we celebrate Joe’s retirement, we hope you relive some of Joe’s great Forum moments with us.

So Joe…, Enjoy your retirement from playing the game..., but never retire from enjoying the game.

Thanks for years of memories, friendships, and Forum storylines!

Article 216 - September 22, 2012

Just like (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Chuck Norris) team up in a sequence of greatest action hero’s that collaborate in the “Expendables 2” to form a super-power house that undertake a seemingly simple mission that soon evolves into a quest for revenge… well, our own super heroes of Joe “The Canteen Guy” Shannon, Matty “Matty-I” Iannello, Ray “You’re screwing me in points” Nickerson and Mike “Don’t call me Chuck” Luise are also reunited in a quest for revenge… Their Mission… “Operation get Naz a new jacket.” 

Tune in and watch Mike Naczas ride the coattails of the (4) greatest players to ever play in the Over-30 League.  This is a first in league history that the top (4) points leaders of all-time are not only paired-up together..., but paired up with the soon to be reinstated “Assistant League Director”.., I smell a payoff!!

Article 217 - September 29, 2012

Kenny Bania once commented "Why do they call it Ovaltine? The mug is round. The jar is round. They should call it Roundtine."… So with that said, why do we call the line combination of “Shannon-Iannello-Nickerson”.., the “Holy Trinity”?  Sure, Matty is good, Joe is good and Ray is good… but the way they played last week against Wanna Be's... they should be called the “Holy Shitty” line.

Article 225 - December 8, 2012

Joe Shannon might have relinquished his role as part of the former BIG 3 (aka the “Holy Trinity” Line) of Shannon-Iannello-Nickerson.., but Joey has never relinquished his cannon of a shot from his new home at the blue line. Keep piling on the goals “Mr. All-Time Goals Leader.”

Article 238 September 14, 2013

“Matty Iannello is not walking through that door, fans… Joe Shannon is not walking through that door.., and Ray Nickerson is not walking through that door… and if you expect them to walk through that door, they're going to be gray and old."     ~ Bill Abcunas (Sept 2013)

Article 280 January 30, 2015

This new segment to the PUTA Forum is for you… the players to reflect on a story from the past as it relates to the Over-30 players in the league.  The actual day and year are really insignificant, but an approximate date range of your story will just help to add detail and approximation of the event.

There are always players telling great stories and this new segment is where we would like to capture and share these classic moments in Dek Hockey History.  So please feel free to email your ideas to misterman05@hotmail.com or jmbarber68@gmail.com and one of our field reporters will follow up with you and help craft your recollection of “This Day in Dek Hockey History”.

First Up… A story of a Legendary Crumpling

Back in the early 90’s our leader Bill Abcunas was in his prime jumping from team-to-team, as he was notorious for doing.  While on a stint with the Corum Canadians (based in NY - 416 miles away from Montreal Canada)… Billy found himself playing against (2) Legends of the game; Hall of Fame Inductee Dan Broderick and (should be in the Hall of Fame) Joe Shannon.

In a scoreless game; Dan’s Seahawks vs Billy’s Canadiens…  Dan Broderick issued the orders to “take him out”.   A young Joe Shannon not wanting to disappoint his Captain took the contract hit and recruited fellow linemate Jimmy Connell to fulfill the orders.

With a sixth sense Bill Abcunas must have known there was danger on the horizon as he retreated behind his own net with the ball.  To his left, a barreling Joe Shannon and to his right a steamrolling Jimmy Connell… and before he could beg for mercy, Billy suffered from what would best be described as a “Malachi Crunch”

With a stoppage in play to attend the injured Abcunas… he laid crumpled on the dek in a haze of disorientation with cartoon-like stars swirling around his head.  Billy had to be scraped off the floor and escorted to the bench so the game could resume.

To add insult to injury… this was the final game of the tournament and the Seahawks went on to beat the Corum Canadians 1-0.  That day in Dek Hockey History.

Tipster: Anonymous

Article 281 February 14, 2015

This Day in Dek Hockey History

After our inaugural edition of “This Day in Dek Hockey History” we learned that our own Joe Shannon was part of a perfectly executed “Malachi Crunch” with Jimmy Connell. 

Under orders from Seahawks Captain Dan Broderick, the duo accomplished their mission to take out former Coram Canadian Bill Abcunas.

While Billy was being Medevac to the nearest NY Hospital… the Seahawks with Championship trophies in hand were riding the ferry back to what we now refer to as “Title Town” Boston.

Just off the shore of Coram NY… Joe and the rest of the newly crowned champions decided it would be best if they left their meaningless trophies on the bottom of Block Island Sound and on the count of three tossed their accomplishment overboard.

It’s kind of ironic that the “Seahawks” Championship trophy has been living at the bottom of the Sea for the past 25-years.  We hear that it has become a Diver Attraction for Divers to visit and pay homage to one of the greatest Dek Hockey Championship games ever.

Article 295 October 17, 2015

The BIG One Night Only Event…

• A Led Zeppelin concert at the Boston Garden?
• All FOUR original Van Halen members for one night only?
• Billy and Kellie’s Wedding Night Consummation?

All great guesses… but the special “BIG One Night Only Event”… was the reuniting of the original BIG three: Matty Iannello, Joe Shannon and Ray Nickerson together again (and) they picked up right where they left off… Losing!

With “The Great One” treading water on the leader board in 4th and Ray floating dead at the 50/50 line in the standings… together with Joe’s new hip and rehabbed knee they only managed to combine for (1) goal in their 4-2 loss.

The magic is seemingly gone…. Say Goodnight Gracie!

New Whore in town

There’s a new hockey whore in town and his name is Joe Shannon.  “Hey Baby you looking for a defenseman?... I can go both ways (Forward and Defense) for an extra $20.”

Nick Romano and Jim Barber used to be the Over-30 common streetwalkers looking for a game to play (other than their own).  Now Joe has assumed that role, as he has played and slept with almost every team in town.  Our sources are waiting to confirm if Joe has actually played with all (5) teams or not.

Our advice, if Joe shows up wearing your team’s jersey… Don’t get excited, he’s not on your team permanently and I personally wouldn’t let him drink from the team water bottles, because his mouth has been on every other teams water bottles too.

Article 319 September 24, 2016 

"A" stern warning

“So help me if I have to pull this car over”...  Shark Attack Assistant Captain Joe Shannon was seen blasting his teammates in between periods as emotions started to flare.

Joe's words of wisdom... “We're all a team here, no one's a retard and leave all your negative energy outside of the rink and if you want to go home, go down your basement, and bang your fu@&ing head against the wall... That's fine.., but don't bring it here to this team.”

Let's see if Joe's pep talk worked as this week they are playing 11-Guys 1-Ball and one captain who learned to “have fun out there” and won two championships.

Article 326 November 12, 2016

Pasture-ized

It seems Joe Shannon is heading for the Dek Hockey Pasture where he can graze and reminisce about the glory days with the other retired donkeys.

Joe Shannon has called it a career (again?) so we'll wait to drop balloons from the rafters and celebrate the greatest Over-30 Goal Scorer of All-time... and before #44 joins the only number (Doug Sedille's) #16 alongside the retirement of numbers in the virtual rafters... We'll wait for Joe to file his AARP paperwork and have his official press conference…, until then we can taunt him as a referee.

Article 356 December 9, 2017

The BIG "Gray & Old" 3

You're right about that Mr. Pitino.., Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish aren't walking through that door.., but look (again) who did…  None other than the legendary Joe "The Canteen Driver" Shannon did walk (weeeelll) more like "waddled" through that door.., and you're right Rick, "he was old and gray." 

The Over-30 "BIG 3" of Ray Nickerson, Matty Iannello and Joe Shannon have once again joined forces in an effort to add a bonifide #1 Defenseman and blue line quarterback to the (51) GAA Leaders.

Last week’s performance shows just how a seasoned veteran (like Joe) will control the ball.., not panic at the first sight of a forechecker and adds a huge cannon to their blue line gun turret.

Article 357 December 16, 2017

Hugfest 

You know you're a respected Hall of Fame Legend... When newly “unretired” Joe Shannon crosses over into enemy territory to give Dan Broderick a pre-game hug.  

We guess Joe wanted to give Dan a hug before he buried his ass into the ground with a 5-0 win.   It's nothing personal Dan.., it's just business.

Article 361 January 27, 2018

The Most Interesting Man

Joe Shannon doesn't always ride motorcycles.., but when he does.., he doesn't wear a Helmet.., Stay thirsty my friends.

Someone thought that a mysterious helmet and gloves that were upstairs in the penalty box were Joe's.., Joe graciously took them for the lost and found box in the office.., and before walking off said... "You tell Billy.., the legend doesn't wear a Helmet."

Article 441 - January 30, 2021

“The Next One”
Sitting on 507-goals and tied for “All-Time Goals”.., Matty Iannello is chasing history this week as “The Great One” just “needs one” to break Joe Shannon’s record with 508-goals. 

Technically the feat was already accomplished.., but a clerical error (aka another Referee screwup) credited teammate Nick Doherty with one of Matty’s goals.

So officially, we have to wait on #508 to happen before it can be officially recognized and documented by the league.

Let’s go Jake-O-Lanterns.., who wants to be the player that assisted on the historic record breaking goal and go down in league history as the guy who helped his Captain become the “All-Time #1 Player”… who’s it gonna be?

Quote
We reached out to Joe Shannon for a quote on his friend and former teammate Matty Iannello and breaking his 507-goals record. 

In an interview with Joe, he said: “he’s glad it’s Matty but he’s also lucky my hips and knees are shot.., otherwise he’d be chasing 607-goals.., and there is one record that he (nor anyone else!) in the Over-30 League will ever break and that’s my single season record of 35-goals and 65-points!

Article 451 - September 25, 2021

Guest to Player

One week he’s dropping a ceremonial faceoff.., the next week he’s filling in on defense for Top Secret. 

Joe Shannon’s last official season was in 2017.., but Joe’s another person whose skill level will never let him suck.

At one point it was like 2006 all over again watching Joe pass it up to Doug.., as that was during the one (and only time) they won a championship together with Help Wanted.., and yes, Ed Nigro was on that team too for one of his league leading 16-champioships. 

Speaking of Ed, did anyone tell him the season started?

Note:  None of Joe’s future goals counts towards Joe now chasing Matty’s 508-record (now 512) after last week’s pair.  Joe is strictly a non-rostered “gun for hire”.

Article 456 - November 13, 2021

Bermuda Triangle
We witnessed one the greatest passing plays in Over-30 League during Top Secret vs Omertà.

Last week the always pesky and speedy George Medeiros got caught up in the Bermuda Triangle of passing perfection.

George was trapped chasing the ball as Joe Shannon started a passing triangle between himself, defensive partner Jamie Kehoe and Doug Sedille.

George looked like a cat chasing a laser beam as all three of them sent the ball around three times between themselves with George endlessly chasing it.

Article 457 - November 20, 2021

Marksman

The specialty skill of a true Marksman (and sniper)... is patience.  That patience was displayed during Top Secrets powerplay and in particular a sniper they call Joe.  During Top Secrets first powerplay, Joe "The Canteen Guy" Shannon received a pass back to the point.

Just like John "IR" Colucciello counting "Mississippi's" with the ball on the back of the next... Joe had about (4) "Mississippi's" to stick-handle around the white line patiently waiting to pick his spot on former leading goaltender Jake Deehan. 

With zero pressure and Joe taking his sweet time picking a spot.., Jake had about (3) "Mississippi's" to finish crapping his pants as it was mano-a-mano (Goaltender vs Shooter).., the former best in the league vs the former leading goals scorer of all-time.

So who won?

All we can say is... "Jake don't forget to wipe"

Article 459 - January 8, 2022

Waiver Wire

The 2022 Spring Season waiver wire has a few interesting transactions to start the new year.

Welcome back Joe Shannon… as the former “fill-in” player for Top Secret actually played 10-games and is eligible to have his 2021 Winter Season stats count towards his all-time stats. 

After their loss in the finals, Top Secret Captain Jamie Kehoe signed Joe to a 4-month extension contract through April.  So that means Joe Shannon is back in the Over-30 League baby.., and chasing Matty Iannello for his former all-time goals record.

Article 460 - January 15, 2022

Top Secret(s)

Bagging the “Elephant” in the off season for Top Secret was one of the League Director’s highlights in the off-season.  However Top Secret ended up bagging two “Elephants” by default with another legend in Joe Shannon.

Last week Joe Shannon showed what legends are made of.

Down a goal Captain Jamie Kehoe ordered Joe to “take the goalie”.., and before fill-in goalie Joe “Guido” Conray could even sit on the bench (after his sprint), Joe “The Canteen Man” blasted a shot from the point to tie the game with 1:20 left to play.

Then only 2:07 left into OT… Joey breaks up Jimmy Clark at the point and then goes in all alone on Jake Deehan.  Joe might still have a wicked slapshot and a good finishing goal move… but he looked like it was laundry day “sprinting” in on a breakaway with $75 worth of quarters in his pockets.

Article 473 - September 24, 2022

Garbage Man

Just two weeks into the season and we figured out what rookie Doug Morand’s occupation is… Apparently he’s an “Over-30 Garbage Man”

Last week we witnessed Doug collect Joe Shannon’s curbside “Garbage” breakaway attempt as he cleaned up the mess Joe left in Jeff Deharo’s crease.

The rookie defenseman gave a beautiful outlet pass to the once leading goal scorer.., as he sent Joe in all alone.  Doug realized that Joe was one of the “oldest” and not one of the “fastest” Roadrunners and that Joe might run out of steam before he gets to the goal.  Doug sprang into action and quickly chased him down to help bury the missed attempt to give his team a 3-2 lead.

Great follow-up effort on Doug’s part… and “NO” Doug.., you do not get credit for the assist from that sweet pass to Joe (and) the cleaned up messy goal.  Those types of assist plays, along with phantom assists are reserved for Ray “The Boss” Nickerson only.

Article 474 - October 1, 2022

Turtle Defense
Note to Captains Mutiny.., the Roadrunners defense consisted of Joe Shannon and Mike Naczas playing major minutes. Both of those players ran their 40-yard Hockey Combine with a total of 7:35 seconds between them both.

How did the Captains Mutiny forwards not press the hell out of them and make them run the whole game. For Shame.., no in game adjustments by the reinstated Captain. 

Article 479 - November 12, 2022

Sleepy Joe

All this time we thought former President Donald Trump was talking about Joe Biden when he coined the phrase “Sleepy Joe”.

There has always been a League debate on who is “The Real #5”… is it the legend Dan Broderick, the goon Bill Abcunas, the understudy Joe Shannon or the wannabe Ray Dow. 

That debate will live on.., but there is no debate on who’s “The Real Sleepy Joe”

Article 480 - November 19, 2022

3-Seconds

No we are not referring to the numbers of seconds you lasted the first time you had sex.  We're talking about the time it took for Joe "The Canteen Man" Shannon to bury a Powerplay Goal off Rob Valley's High Sticking penalty.

Rob barely had just enough time to hop into the penalty box before doing a 180 to hop back out.  Rob entered the box at 4:32 and was out at 4:29 with time served.

Roadrunners Captain Dominic DeFrancisco won his faceoff draw cleanly back to the once former "Leading Goal Scorer".., who reminded us of his glory days when he ripped a slapshot on Jeff Deharo who picked the wrong time to blink, as Joe's shot beat him quickly and cleanly.

Article 481 - November 26, 2022

6-Seconds
Nicholas Cage starred in “Gone in 60-Seconds”… and last week Jay Carrien starred in the sequel “Scored in 6-Seconds”.

Last week after another Pat Pirone penalty (I know, another one?).., it took just 6-seconds for Jay to smoke Scotty Rosato who was up the night before reading Jeff Deharo’s new book “Blinking at the wrong time”.., where Jeff writes about giving up a 3-second PPG to Joe Shannon.

Note to Goalies:  When the opposing team is on a powerplay and the faceoff is in your end and one of the league’s premier defenseman are waiting on a draw.., don’t blink!

Article 492 - April 8, 2023

Chasing 30

Twenty-Six… Twenty-Seven… Twenty-Eight… Uh-oh!  Looks like Mike Duggan is 2-goals shy of Thirty with only one game left.

Last week Dave Giusti rolled over like an FBI informant facing a life sentence as he let up 8-goals to the Roadrunners.  (3) of those goals went to Mike.., and if he didn’t keep slipping on the wet spot.., it could have been (4) or even (5) last week.

Will Joe Shannon and Doug Sedille welcome a new member into the 30-goal club? 

Tune in this Saturday at 4:30 to find out.

Article 493 - September 9, 2023

Missing Legends

“Larry Bird is not walking through that door, fans. Kevin McHale is not walking through that door, and Robert Parish is not walking through that door…, neither is Joe Shannon or Matty Iannello.”

Joe Shannon is calling it a career and going out on top as a “Perfect Champ!”. 

Matty Ianello is going in for a procedure that may (or may not) include changing his pronouns from “Matty I-Me-Myself” to “Matty They-Them-Themselves”

Both players will be noticeably missed from the weekly games.

Article 497 - October 7, 2023

Tile Fixes?

Hecklers Row had some great suggestions for fixing last week’s lifted tile;

“Hey Ray Nickerson…, just lay your wallet on it”

 and the best..,

“Hey Joe (Shannon) just stand on it…, since you’re in the way anyway”

Article 501 - November 4, 2023

Retired?

What do you do when you’re missing your Captain Dave Costa and your team is shorthanded?

You seek the help of the winningest Over-30 and retired player Ed “The Rock” Nigro to fill in.

Last week we watched Ed sprint downstairs and return with his hockey stuff…, which made us ponder this;

Why is a “retired” player showing up at Hockeytown with his street hockey equipment and then filling in?

Why is Ed’s equipment not in his shed or donated to Goodwill bin (since he’s supposed to be retired)..., or was he visiting Billy to donate his equipment to the Over-30 Hall of Fame for an exhibit of “Early man and his hockey equipment”

Regardless of the reason…, Ed just proved that even as a retiree he still wins.

Oh and Ed.., you’re not getting another retirement party. No more gifts and goodies.

Like Bill Belichick would say “We’re on to Joe Shannon”