Reiko and Kretzy

 Well folks buckle up cause this dynamic duo are claiming to be the ones to beat.  We shall see.  

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

Hopefully Top 4.  In Buffalo this past weekend, there is no doubt that Nate carried our team to victory.  Hard to bet against he and whoever his partner is

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why?

Everyone. I don’t like to lose

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?

EVZ (swiss), closest to home

Where did you grow up?

Switzerland beautiful city called Luzern

Describe something that happened during Covid that left you scratching your head?

an itch?

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?

a.      Gary Long

b.     Brent Hurtubise

c.      Mike Donnelly

d.     Norm Crook

Dance moves

Provide a name and brief description of a series you enjoyed watching on Prime or Netflix?

Stranger Things (not finished yet so no spoilers please)

What are you looking forward to most in 2023?

seeing my little one grow

Any last thoughts?

just looking forward to a fun tournament

When I reached out to Paul Kretz for his response he said Reiko told me to put my back against the side wall, under no circumstances return none of the opponents shots (other than serves) and to not say a word.  Consequently all we have from Paul is the picture below of him practicing to do as he is told.

 

Byron and Andreas

Byron and Andreas might be the most athletic pairing.  Both move well and are regularly seen in the Cedar gym working out.  Will it work?  Hard to say but they both have told me they feel better after a workout.

Andreas on a singles court.  Clearly more at home there.

Byron in 2011.  Has he aged at all in the following picture?

Byron sharing his thoughts on the Calcutta:

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

·        Your guess is as good as mine. These teams & handicaps have changed more times than Alex Falconer changes shirts during a match!  The whole thing is rigged….

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why?

·        Andreas & I have our sights set on the Darren “Spiderman” Miles & Dave Peters. Dave’s been away for 17 days partying and he’s primed for a Calcutta Weekend Meltdown. It’s going to be beautiful.  Byron I am not sure Spidy and Fricking Peters were ever partners.  

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?

·        Favourite: No one should be surprised, the Winnipeg Jets

·        Hated: Toronto Maple Leafs

·        Why: Mostly due to Austin Mathew’s pornstar moustache and because the Leaf’s suck ballz. GO JETS GO!!  Byron how do you know the Leafs suck ballz????

Where did you grow up?

·        I’m originally from Winnipeg, “Friendly” Manitoba” and have been in Burlington since 2009.

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?

I am worried that this is the last we will see of Gary Long as he embarks on his world-wide culinary journey with Rich to Thailand. Enjoy those mysterious food ingredients & back alley massage parlours, gentlemen.  It was great knowing you guys!!

Provide a name and brief description of a series you enjoyed watching on Prime or Netflix?

·        The Boys – It’s about a rogue group of super powered humans causing problems in society and abusing their abilities. Not unlike the Cedar Springs Squash community at large.  

What are you looking forward to most in 2023?

·        I’m looking forward to the justified accolades & glory after winning this year’s Calcutta and placing the trophy on my fireplace mantle.

Any last thoughts?

·        It’s great having this event back and thanks to Nathan & the committee for their efforts organizing.

·        Also, thanks to Morty for running the Blog and keeping the interest level high!  Good luck everyone! 

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all? I think our team will do exactly as anticipated, Byron will carry me as much as he can but it will not be enough to have any real impact - we underwhelm and go home early. If Mike and Jonas are still paired up that’s a no-brainer for the W. What are you looking forward to most in 2023? Me and the family getting our permanent resident status here in Canada! One step closer to being real Canadians!    What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why? Beggars can’t be choosers! Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why? My favourite hockey team is Malmo Redhawks; a chirpy Swedish team with a few SHL wins under their belt.  I know zero chirpy Swedes.  Perhaps it's my hearing or inability to understand what the hell they are saying Where did you grow up? Malmo, Sweden           Who are you going to miss most at this year's Calcutta?  Mike Donnelly and his sunny disposition.  Describe something that happened during Covid that left you scratching your head?How I maniacally at one stage was following the infection and hospitalization on CTV.ca to predict the next lock down   Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?  Mike Donnelly - his sunny disposition and warm, caring and supportive approach will leave a big gap this year!

 

Jason Lewin and Sean McDonough

 Now here's a pair with a strong squash pedigree.  Jay a former University Squash player and Sean a guy who has played squash longer than half the Calcutta field.  Will they be tough to beat?  Me thinks so.

Jason fitting right in post match

Sean - just see the link below for full squash bio -

https://www.burlingtonsportshalloffame.ca/inductees_/22375/t22606-mcdonough--sean 

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

Sean will be adding to his already overflowing trophy room

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why?

Fricking Peters

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?

Habs (see below), No one below the Habnots in the standings

Where did you grow up?

Montreal

Describe something that happened during Covid that left you scratching your head?

Everyone was an expert

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?

a.      Gary Long

b.     Brent Hurtubise - The intensity he brings to the court

c.      Mike Donnelly

d.     Norm Crook

Provide a name and brief description of a series you enjoyed watching on Prime or Netflix?

Yellowstone - Cowboys kicking ass

What are you looking forward to most in 2023?

not getting injured

Any last thoughts?

I’m a rookie in this calcutta - looking forward to it

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

 As the shortest team, we've been working on retrieving lobs.  I like our chances

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why?

 Fricking Peters

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?

 Boston Bruins - who wouldn't love Milt Schmidt

Where did you grow up?

 Sudbury - God Bless Stomping Tom for his Sudbury Saturday Night classic - The Girls are into bingo and the boys are getting stinko

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?

a.      Gary Long hoping Jay plays as well as Gary did when we won Calcutta

b.   Provide a name and brief description of a series you enjoyed watching on Prime or Netflix?  Peaky Blinders

P

P

 

Mr. Nice Guy and your Blog author

 Here's a pairing that rarely stands still on the court.  

Serious Mark Litton

Applying baseball fundamentals of getting in front of the ball can have some unintended consequences.

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

Our Team will do well …. Morty confuses people - it is his strategy! 

 

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why?

Always a big Win to defeat Nate!

 

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?

 

Leafs - plan the parade (Unfortunately it will probably be in 2038)

California Golden Seals ……. Super Bad Uni’s. You can’t even forgive that. 

Where did you grow up?

 Mostly in the K-W area, hold a special place in my heart for Octoberfest.

 Describe something that happened during Covid that left you scratching your head?

People walking down the street by themselves wearing a mask, what is with that?

 

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?

a.      Gary Long

b.     Brent Hurtubise

c.      Mike Donnelly

d.     Norm Crook

Never Wrong Long …….. always in the mix late in a Tournament.

 

Provide a name and brief description of a series you enjoyed watching on Prime or Netflix?

Austin Powers - Goldmember ….. still can’t believe it didn’t win an Academy Award.

 

What are you looking forward to most in 2023?

Getting back to regular squash games!!!

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

If we get a decent draw, we have a chance.  Lots of good teams besides those with the highest handicaps.  Jay/Sean, Paul/Sally, Jimmy/Jay, Andreas/Byron, Alex/Scott, Sean/Ian.  Hedging my bets on picking the winner.

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why?

Fricking Peters

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?

I never miss a Leafs game.  Only time I will watch the Habnots is when they are playing Toronto. 

Where did you grow up?

Ancaster.  My Dad bought some property after WW2 and two uncles and my grandparents bought on the same country road.  Great memories growing up with close family.

 

Describe something that happened during Covid that left you scratching your head?

Paying for Covid tests for travel and not being asked to show results

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?

Brent always provides entertainment. 

Provide a name and brief description of a series you enjoyed watching on Prime or Netflix?

Only Murders in the Building with Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez.  Line of Duty on Netflix – 6 seasons 

What are you looking forward to most in 2023?

January – Buffalo and Calcutta, February – ball tourney in Florida and completing 1000 push up challenge, April – Doubles Nationals, May start of ball in Canada

Any last thoughts?

Good luck to everyone in this year’s Calcutta.

Nate the Great and Happy Mark

 

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

Me.  Well would we expect anything else from our fearless leader?  Nate, you do have a partner and if your team is to win, Mark will be the differentiator.  

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why? 

Morty, no explanation needed.   Well if you think Mark and I are your biggest competition, you may be the only one who feels that way.

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why? 

Leafs/ Habs nuff said   

Where did you grow up? 

Sudbury.  Sudbury is arguably the hard rock mining capital of the world.  Nice place to be from.

Describe something that happened during Covid that left you scratching your head?

Nothing surprises me.   (Well get ready as I think there is going to be a surprise winner this year.)

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why?

a.      Gary Long

b.     Brent Hurtubise

c.      Mike Donnelly

d.     Norm Crook

Gary  and his invaluable bidding advice 

What are you looking forward to most in 2023? 

Buffalo - Might be the highlight of Nate's squash season

Go Nate Go!

 

 

How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Who do you think will win it all?

As with all of us, hoping to make it at least through the 2nd round.

Who will win?  I’m hoping the team our consortium puts the most money on:)  Mark the ultimate team guy!

What is one team you really want to beat in this year’s Calcutta and why?

The first team we play. I don’t want us to go out in the first round.  (Nate notice us not me responses)

Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?

Favourite hockey team - Edmonton Oilers. Spent 9 years living in Edmonton and really enjoyed the team and city spirit.   City of Champions.

Where did you grow up?  

New Hamburg

Describe something that happened during Covid that left you scratching your head?

Why did the networks keep showing close ups of needles going in to people’s arms. Who likes that ?

Who will you miss most from this year’s Calcutta and why? Norm Crook and his sense of humour.

Provide a name and brief description of a series you enjoyed watching on Prime or Netflix?

Netflix - “My Next Guest”  David Letterman interviews influential people. My favourite is the Lewis Hamilton interview.  Mark the intellectual.  

What are you looking forward to most in 2023?

Travel without Covid type restrictions or airline service issues.  Editor Some would say there is no airline service so how can that be an issue.  Mark I  would have thought you'd have mentioned cycling. 

Mark - getting dressed to play or dressed after loss?  Here's hoping it's the former.