Shift Change - Staying in the game at 50+
Oct 3, 2026 · 57 min · 10 segments
Most hockey players eventually hang up their skates—but at 70, George Nickerson is still chasing his next shift. George joins Rich Ineson to share the stories, friendships and passion that keep him in…
Rich InesonHost
When did rec hockey stop feeling like a substitute for competitive hockey and become something valuable in its own right? Like I took almost 10 years away from hockey.
And when I came back at 40 to start playing again, I realized I'd missed so much more than the skating and the competition.
And did you ever have a moment when you realized the rink was giving you something you could not find anywhere else?
Well, again, Rich, I really think that those seeds were planted when I was a youngster, and I have always recognized, I feel, I've tried to live by the notion that the locker room itself is a place that gives me great reflective positivity.
And whether it's a competitive team or possibly a more recreationally based team, which is what I'm doing now, or my overseas travels with different great groups of guys, the locker room, both pre-game and post-game and in the hours and days between games, It's that space that really fills me up.
It's where I really get positive reinforcement, love and support from my friends in difficult times.
I don't think ever, I don't think I ever had to really transition from competitive to recreational to, to recognize the value in the room.
And you're still playing at 70 and that's incredible, but you've mentioned it, but do you still feel that excitement or do you get nervous before an important game? Cause you're playing games all over the world and there's some pretty big games.
We were in a championship match two weeks ago in a tournament with some pals and we were heading up against a tough team.
When did rec hockey stop feeling like a substitute for competitive hockey and become something valuable in its own right? Like I took almost 10 years away from hockey.
And when I came back at 40 to start playing again, I realized I'd missed so much more than the skating and the competition.
And did you ever have a moment when you realized the rink was giving you something you could not find anywhere else?
Well, again, Rich, I really think that those seeds were planted when I was a youngster, and I have always recognized, I feel, I've tried to live by the notion that the locker room itself is a place that gives me great reflective positivity.
And whether it's a competitive team or possibly a more recreationally based team, which is what I'm doing now, or my overseas travels with different great groups of guys, the locker room, both pre-game and post-game and in the hours and days between games, It's that space that really fills me up.
It's where I really get positive reinforcement, love and support from my friends in difficult times.
I don't think ever, I don't think I ever had to really transition from competitive to recreational to, to recognize the value in the room.
And you're still playing at 70 and that's incredible, but you've mentioned it, but do you still feel that excitement or do you get nervous before an important game? Cause you're playing games all over the world and there's some pretty big games.
We were in a championship match two weeks ago in a tournament with some pals and we were heading up against a tough team.
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