ROBERTO LUONGO'S RETURN TO BALL HOCKEY  
by Paul Iacurto
Nov, 2004

Many NHL players had alternate plans in case of a lockout. Some chose Europe while others stayed on North American soil by playing in the AHL and various other leagues. Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings is practicing another sport that is played on a sheet of ice as he is
training with the American bobsleigh team.

Roberto Luongo chose to stay in the game of hockey – ball hockey, that is, as he’s playing twice a week in the PTM Ball Hockey Leagues of Montreal with his brother Leo and some of his friends. Roberto plays in both “B” divisions with the Outlaws on Sunday night and with the Smackdaddys on Wednesday night.

Only 2 months after winning a “B” division championship with the Young Guns, Roberto has returned to ball hockey as a result of the NHL lockout.

As everybody knows, negotiations between Bettman and Goodenow have broken
down since neither the players union nor the owners are intent on making
any concessions of any kind, which means that Roberto will likely finish
the season with the Smackdaddys and the Outlaws!

Roberto is a centerman in ball hockey although it would be a tremendous
moment if he were to play in nets only once! Just one time Roberto! It’s
not too much to ask!