'A lot of people think we're crazy': Seasoned Islanders still skating into their 80s

Fans of P.E.I.'s55+ Winter Games are seeing something new this week a division for hockey players 70 years of age and older.

The move for the new age categorywas prompted by players like Lloyd Reeves, who at 81, saidhe just can't keep up with players in the 65+ division.

"We've got a lot of guys now in their late 70s too," explained Reeves. "So a 65-year-old's pretty young to us. It's best we move on [to an older division]."

There are just enough players for two teams Charlottetown and Summersideto compete in the 70+ age group this week. Reeves acknowledgesthere's a good reason for that: most Islandhockey players hang up their skates well before they start on their ninth decade.

"A lot of people think we're crazy," said Reeves.

"But I don't know. You can get hurt out on a Ski Doo, you can get hurt anywhere...and you've got todo something to pass the winters here in P.E.I."

'You can't tell them how to play hockey any more'

Austin Sansomagrees. At 78, he's one of the oldest players on the Charlottetown team.

"[My kids] tell me, 'Dad, you're getting up there now.'But I'd still like to play another couple of years," he said.

"Sometimes you don't feel like going out in the snow and the rain. But, when you get to the rink, and after the game, then you're glad you went, because you always feel good."

You've got todo something to pass the winters here on P.E.I.- 81-year-old Lloyd Reeves

82-year-old Larry Coffin wishes he could get that feeling back. After decades playing hockey around North America,an injury forced the former goalieto retire his pads a few years ago. He misses the sport enough, that he's come back this week as Charlottetown's head coach.

"Althoughwhen you're coaching the 70 +team, you don't have to do much, only change the lines," he joked. "You can't tell them how to play hockey any more."

You can't tell them to stop either.

"Well, I haven'tstopped a day since I was about 19 years old," said 79-year-old Marvin Jackson.

"It's just something I've got todo."

So will fans be seeing an 80+ divisionat the winter games a few years down the road? LloydReeves isn't ruling it out.

"Sureyour shot gets weak, and your speed slows down," said the 81-year-old.

"But hopefully I'll have a few more games in me ...I'm just lucky to be out here. That's all I can say."

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