Friends, love of the game keeps 85-year-old hockey goalie between the pipes

Hockey players are known for being tough, but Bill Parsley, 85, is as tough as they come."I got a detached bicep in each arm, I've had both hips replaced, and I had two surgeries on each shoulder," Parsley said.None of that has stopped Parsley from strapping on the goalie pads and playing four times a week alongside other retirees. Parsley's teammates said his skill and passion for the game is an inspiration to them."My back is hurting me right now," teammate Fred Flavin said. "But I think, 'Holy smolies,' I look at him and go, 'No excuses.'"Parsley said the friends he's gained over the years is the main reason he continues to play. Although he needs help putting some of the pads on, he said as long as his health holds up, he'll between the pipes, playing the game he loves alongside his friends."When people get old, as they get older, their friends die off and everything," Parsley said. "There's 70 guys in this organization, and it's like you start skating here and all of a sudden you've picked up 70 new friends."

Hockey players are known for being tough, but Bill Parsley, 85, is as tough as they come.


"I got a detached bicep in each arm, I've had both hips replaced, and I had two surgeries on each shoulder," Parsley said.

None of that has stopped Parsley from strapping on the goalie pads and playing four times a week alongside other retirees.

Parsley's teammates said his skill and passion for the game is an inspiration to them.

"My back is hurting me right now," teammate Fred Flavin said. "But I think, 'Holy smolies,' I look at him and go, 'No excuses.'"

Parsley said the friends he's gained over the years is the main reason he continues to play. Although he needs help putting some of the pads on, he said as long as his health holds up, he'll between the pipes, playing the game he loves alongside his friends.

"When people get old, as they get older, their friends die off and everything," Parsley said. "There's 70 guys in this organization, and it's like you start skating here and all of a sudden you've picked up 70 new friends."