Tony Andrea just turned 80, but you wouldn’t know it.

The former navy commander has played hockey since he was a kid. As he enters a new decade, he doesn’t have plans to hang up the skates.

“It's exhilarating,” he said “It is just fun and, you know, I think it staves off old age.”

Andrea is one of 15 children. He grew up playing pond hockey on his family’s farm in Cape Breton.

While in university, he and three of his brothers made the St. Francis Xavier University team, claiming a championship title in the process.

Everywhere he went, Andrea followed the puck.

“Tony is always the first on and the last off,” said one of his teammates.

When Andrea joined the Canadian Forces, there wasn't a recreational hockey league for players over 45 until he helped get a league started.

Nearly 30 years later, his team still gets together at least once a week.

“He doesn't just show up to get his skates on, he competes when he's out there. So it is fantastic,” said teammate Austin Collette.

The man who skates with people nearly half his age will tell you 80 is just a number.

“I really believe having siblings who are much older than I am made me think, I am not old,” said Andrea.

Tony's attitude makes it easy for old friends to celebrate a teammate young at heart.

“Eat healthy, don't drink too much, and stay active,” said Andrea.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.