BRIGHTON — Brighton High School has had a hockey team for a third of a century now, time to generate plenty of alumni.
So many, it seems, that the annual alumni game has been revised.
“Guys who think they can’t compete (against younger players) will come Saturday,” Brighton coach Paul Moggach said after Tuesday’s under-30 alumni game at the Kensington Valley Ice House.
The over-30 alumni game will be held Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Ice House.
Tuesday’s game was light on defense — as evidenced by the 12-10 score — but served as a reunion for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 state champions, whose members dominated both rosters.
“It’s good to see everyone, catch up, talk about good times,” 2012 grad Mitch Kahl said. “It’s good to be around everyone. The culture is great. Everyone still talks, which is crazy. It doesn’t seem like 3-4 years, however long it’s been.”
Reid Sturos, a junior on the Michigan Tech team, also was on the ice.
“It’s fun to get back to your hometown and lay with some of the guys who played with growing up,” he said. “It’s fun to be back here in Brighton.”
Two current players, Nick Foran and Joey Clifford, served as linesmen and referees, though with limited authority.
“I’ve never done it before,” Clifford said. “It was kind of tough, but it was fun to referee.”
As for calling penalties, Clifford made some calls, which led to zero penalty minutes.
“I called them. They just kind of ignored me,” he said, grinning.
The teams were split into Orange and White squads. Assistant coach Kurt Kivisto played for and coached the Orange, which trailed 8-5 at the end of the first half and pulled out the 12-10 win.
“I was just trying to get the puck to the fast guys and let them do their thing,” he said. “I remember coming out here when I was these guys’ age going up against the old guys, and now I’m one of them now. It’s fun to get on the ice with them.”
Kivisto will be visiting family this weekend, meaning he won’t be able to play in the 30-and over game.
“Maybe next year,” he said. “It would be fun to do the doubleheader.”
Players interested in participating Saturday can get more information by visiting brightonvarsityhockey.com or checking the Brighton Hockey page on Facebook.
Moggach plans to be there, too.
“It’s a blast,” he said Tuesday. “It’s fun for them, and it’s fun of us as coaches. You get a little time, even if it’s just to say hello. It’s Christmastime and everyone’s in a good mood. The guys get to hang out with each other and reconnect.”
