Firefighters On Ice

Firefighter Tom O'Shea of South Nyack came to hockey rather late in life—the ripe old age of 46.

But six years later he's still playing, and determined to form an ongoing hockey league for his firefighter brothers.

"I'm one of the older guys," said O'Shea, a brother at Nyack's Orangetown Fire Company No. 1. O'Shea noted that the seed for a regular series—which are held at the Palisades Ice Center in West Nyack—was planted on April 24.

"We had a team in the men's adult league for many years, but then we had one game against Tarrytown [firefighters]," he continued. "Everyone, to a man, said it was the most fun they had on the ice."

"We beat them, but honestly, I can't remember the score," he added. "We were nervous because we were the older team."

O'Shea said many of the skaters had not played in awhile because the public leagues and public open hockey sessions had grown too competitive.

"They had such a blast [playing Tarrytown]," he said. "It was suggested time and time again that we should do this more often. That's how this whole thing started."

Now, the firefighters will be getting together again Friday nights at 10 p.m. at the Palisades Ice Center.

"It's not real organized yet, basically we're buying some time," O'Shea said. O'Shea will be sidelined for about two weeks with tendonitis in his arm—although he hopes to referee on Friday.

"Once we outgrow the open skating—and we're not even close to that—my ultimate goal is a four-team league," he explained.

O'Shea, who was a "pretty good ice skater" as a kid, thought that making the transition to hockey would be simple.

"I figured, 'how hard could it be?'" he recalled. "But it took me six years to skate pretty well. It looks easy but when you try to stop, chase somebody, it was tougher than I thought."

So tough that his wife, Marge, and 10 year old daughter Kelli, who both came to his very first game, still scoff at his ability.

"They've come to two or three games since then," O'Shea said. "They know I'm skating better, but I still hear about using the wall! I was horrible."

O'Shea's dedication to bringing his brothers together for a fun skate is not surprising when one considers the dedication it takes to be a volunteer fireman.

"You know, volunteerism is slowing down a bit, but as far as departments go, we're doing pretty well," he explained. "But it ebbs and flows from one company to another."

The Orangetown company, one of eight in the area, is staffed as well as any in the county. They have five pumpers, one rescue and two ladders.

O'Shea's group of fellow skaters include some with a hockey background. For instance, Serge Tchertkoff played for Nyack/Tappan Zee as a schoolboy. Ricky Miano of Central Nyack Fire Dept. also has experience.

And there's a new player they are trying to draft: John Hook of the Hillcrest Fire Department.

"We're hoping he'll make it [Friday]," O'Shea said.

Then there's a goalie, also from Orangetown Fire Co. No. 1, Jeff Scotto, who reportedly repelled shots for Nyack/Tappan Zee. Goalies, of course, are a special breed at any level—so special indeed that a $20 fee to play is waived.

"Let's face it, goalies are tougher to get than regular players," O'Shea said. "It's like trying to find a catcher in baseball."

"We've had a fun time the last two months or so," he added, recounting a not-so-spectacular opening when a power failure short-circuited their game. "Then a couple of weeks I couldn't get a hold of everybody. We're still building it up. People who play hockey—it's not easy, tough hours—they are passionate about the game. It's a good game and a great bunch of guys."

Any firefighter interested in joining the action can access the sports forum rocklandfires.com at or contact O'Shea at (845) 641-9195.

Corrections: Serge Tchertkoff's and John Hook's names were spelled incorrectly in an earlier version of this story.