Steve Glynn, founder of Milwaukee-based Spreenkler, was introduced to hockey in seventh grade and has been hooked on the sport ever since. He has been playing for more than 20 years and recently joined the Milwaukee Community Hockey League which plays on the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) campus at the Kern Center in downtown Milwaukee.
“For the first 15 years (of my hockey career) I played a forward position,” Glynn said. “Now, I play defense. Which is new to me. On defense I get to be more physical, though, which I like.”
Glynn took a brief break from hockey when he started Spreenkler, but made it his goal over the past three years to get back into shape and back on the ice.
“Running a startup, and being a new dad I wasn’t eating the best or exercising as often,” he said. “I made it my goal, though, to get back on the ice. I want to play at a decent level while my kids are at an age where they can remember seeing me play. I’ve accomplished both of those goals.”
The standard adult hockey season goes from September until April and has about 20 to 25 games, Glynn said. There’s also a few spring and summer leagues that play 8 to 15 times during the season, usually on the weekends.
“I love the mental and physical challenge that hockey provides. It’s beyond anything else I do on a daily basis,” Glynn said. “It keeps me focused on staying in shape. There’s also the camaraderie with teammates. Over a season there are many ups and downs, injuries and celebrations. I’ve applied so much of what I’ve learned from hockey in terms of leadership, coaching and commitment to the team to other aspects of work and personal life. For now, I’m having fun and I’m going to keep playing.”
