There’s a mini reunion that happens every February for the guys on the adult hockey team Leftovers.

With two players moving to Dallas and Pittsburgh, respectively, in the last two years, the guys make sure they still get together each year at the Labatt Blue/USA Hockey Pond Hockey Championships in Eagle River, Wis.

Jason Bleistein has only been living in Texas for one year, but he hadn’t seen his friends since last year’s tournament.

“It’s just an excuse to see these clowns again, have some adult beverages with them, kind of get away from life for a while and play some pond hockey,” Bleistein said. “There’s nothing like it.”

The players originate from the Twin Cities area — five team members still live there — and the guys play in the Adult Hockey Association (AHA). Not knowing one another, all of them joined the AHA at the same time over a decade ago. The players had to go through tryouts and then were placed in a division based on their skill level. As a final step, they entered into a draft.

“No one drafted us, but there were enough guys left over, so we call ourselves the Leftovers, that’s how we all got on the same team,” Bleistein said. “It’s kind of serendipitous in that regard, but it worked out well. We did well in the league, too. ... We’ve got a lot to prove.”

After seeing an announcement in USA Hockey Magazine eight years ago for the Pond Hockey Championships, the players knew they had to sign up. They’ve been coming to Eagle River every year since.

The Leftovers, who range in age from 32 to 44, include five of the original six members who still play in the championships every February. It’s important for the team members to keep the core players intact.

“It wouldn’t be the same without them,” team member Anders Larson said. “Having the other guy that couldn’t make it about four years ago and can’t make it anymore, it kind of took a little bit away from it. But I think we’re right back to that spot where we were before. It’s a core group of friends that we all get along and all see each other on and off the ice. It’s a lot of fun to have that same group every year. It wouldn’t be that special if it wasn’t.”

Leftovers have had a lot of success in their eight years at the Pond Hockey Championships. In 2012, the team won the Bronze 21+ Division. The next year it moved up to Bronze 30+, and this year it won the title in that division.

It’s all about winning, though, when the guys are playing.

“Off the ice we talk about that we’re just up here for fun, but it’s hard not to be competitive once you get on the ice, especially with this group of guys,” Larson said. “We’re all like that where we all want to win, but we all want to be clean and win the right way.”

Bleistein believes the team’s on-ice success is directly correlated to its off-ice friendships.

“To me, they’re like brothers,” Bleistein said. “We’ve skated together for like 10 years. We’ve seen the good times and the bad times with each other — kids and marriages. It’s kind of a little family. It’s good to come back for the reunion.”

The team members can’t wait for another get-together next February. None of the guys plan to miss out.

“Every year we’re going to do it,” Larson said. “There’s no reason not to. It’s great fun.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.