What comes to mind when you think about hockey? Sarah Palin, recent hockey mom of note? Or Canada, where it’s the national sport? Maybe.
But what about doctors – orthopedic surgeons, actually? You probably don’t think about that. At least not like this ...
Dr. Judith Smith, an orthopedic surgeon at Ferrell-Duncan Clinic, has been playing hockey for two years now.
It all started a couple of Christmases ago when “Santa,” a.k.a. her husband Zeke Fairbank, gave her a pair of hockey skates with bright pink laces.
He and the couple’s children have played hockey for years, and were determined to get Dr. Smith in on the action, too.
“When I opened the skates, the kids were excited – jumping up and down and saying ‘Mom’s going to play hockey with us! Mom’s going to play hockey with us!’ and I thought ‘uh-oh.’ But really, how could I say ‘no’ to that?” she says.
Dr. Smith, her husband (who is also team captain) and 12 others play on the Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Skulls team at the Mediacom Ice Park in downtown Springfield. They play nearly every week – the ice park offers fall, spring and summer adult leagues.
The Skulls play in Division C, which Dr. Smith describes as the “least professional” league. But that doesn’t matter to her.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she says. “Really, anyone who has an interest in the sport can join a team and play.”
In addition to league play, the ice park offers practices and skill-building sessions such as Stick and Puck and Drop-In Hockey, which Dr. Smith says are great for people who are interested in hockey and would like to learn more. The center even offers equipment rental for those who aren’t ready to commit to the expense.
Players on the team sometimes come and go, but the Skulls have pulled together to become winners – the team won the fall 2007 league championship. And Dr. Smith says her hockey skills are constantly improving.
Her favorite part of the sport? “Scoring!” she says.
“I scored my first goal ever in October. It was great – they gave me the game puck as congratulations.”
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