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Sports

Park Alumni Play Some Puck

St. Louis Park hockey alumni gathered on Thursday and shared plenty of great memories.

The laughter from the locker room was resounding. Smiles of old friends and former teammates were contagious.

Such was the case Thursday night at the , as the Hockey Association Alumni hosted their annual Alumni Games. More than 100 alumni from the '60s through 2011 were in attendance. A 1978 team video ran that marveled some of the younger players. The faces had aged and the building had changed, but the memories and camaraderie were evident. 

Four different games took place during the night. The first game ended in a 7-7 tie where players from six different decades took part. Players such as Chuck Solseth ('83) drove all the way up for the night from Rochester, where he works as the Battalion Commander for the fire department.

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"This is fantastic, just to see some of the guys and the memories from this building and locker room make it really special," he said.

Solseth missed his son, Tony's, high school game in Albert Lea to drive up and play. He particularly enjoyed seeing the new display area and case on the top of the west rink, which highlights former players and teams. Tom Langen ('62) was the oldest former player who played. His father, Larry, was an Orioles coach from 1954-1973 and was the head coach from 1968-1973. Langen played after high school at Bemidji State but has fond memories of his ties to the Park. 

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"The relationships were real, close and it was a special time," he said.  

1978 graduate, SLP Hall of Famer and Mankato State Hall of Famer John Passolt helped coordinate the night with BJ Bayers from the class of 2004. Current St. Louis Park Youth Hockey President and high school assistant coach Steve Rosen ('76) was also involved. Long-time coach Tim Donahue ('87) laughed and mucked it up with players from various generations. They took the torch from Donahue, who has coordinated the event for years. Current captain Tyler Brodersen donned the head referee's jersey and was aided by fellow captain Nick Gaitan-Gaitan for the night.  

Bob McGinty ('68) and Rollie Carlson ('63) were thrilled to be back and are happy that this edition of the Orioles are under new head coach Shjon Podein. 1995 Mr. Hockey Erik Rasmussen, who went on to play for the Gophers and for nine years in the NHL, took part, albeit at a leisurely pace. An unofficial gathering and special benefit was held after the game at . 1975 graduate and current Fox anchor Jeff Passolt (who played at St. Cloud State) hosted and told stories to the group. Five different Passolt brothers played hockey at St. Louis Park from 1972-1981. Scott Olson, who was a goalie at Park and went on to found Rollerblade, was in attendance and the Boyum brothers (Toby, '88, and Andy, '84) also enjoyed the evening.  

Alumni are encouraged to attend all Park games and there will be a special golf tourament this summer.  For more information on Park hockey alumni, visit www.ozonehockey.net. Alumni are also invited to join this Facebook group.

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