Rich Baines, a long-time resident of Kingsbury Grade, began coaching his son, Kirk, in roller hockey when he was about 4 years old.
When other kids were playing Little League, soccer and the numerous other Tahoe sports available, Baines was driving his son and good friend R.J. Gardner down to Carson Valley to compete in a league at CC Meneley Elementary School.
A few years later, friends Willis Hughes and Marty Rahbeck joined the group.
Baines and the boys enjoyed years of roller hockey in different leagues throughout the valley until their early teens.
Meanwhile, Rich Baines, originally from Winnipeg, Canada, was playing regularly in adult ice hockey leagues around the area, including teams based in Squaw Valley and Reno.
Even though he is on the far side of the half century red line at age 52, he still loves to strap on the skates and crash the boards with players less than half his age. At 6-foot-4, his daunting size and hockey smarts make him a force as a defenseman.
When the South Tahoe Ice Arena was built in 2002, it was like a gift from heaven.
The foursome traded in their roller blades for ice skates and began playing ice hockey. Only Hughes, who had commuted to Sparks for a year to compete in a league, had any experience with ice hockey.
The boys played off and on in various local youth leagues, refining their skills as they got bigger and stronger, while the elder Baines continued to fly around the ice in South Tahoe adult leagues.
A unique opportunity arose when the boys, each of whom graduated from Whittell High School this past June, were all eligible to play in the adult league as they each turned 18. The chance to play with their longtime mentor, and father in Kirk's case, was an unexpected bonus for all the years dedicated to hockey.
They all joined the Red Hut team, sponsored by R.J.'s grandparents, and owners of the restaurant, Dick and Nancy Gardner. The team also includes another father-son combo, Gardnerville residents Derick and Blake Peterson.
"Playing with your son is the best," Rich Baines said. "When I make a pass to him, and he scores, there is nothing better."
"Even though he is a teammate, he still coaches," Hughes said. "He can't get away from that."
Father and son are delivering other memories, too.
"In a game earlier in the season, both Kirk and Rich were in the penalty box at the same time," laughed hockey-mom and wife Jamie. "That was a unique father-son moment."
Kirk currently leads the "B" league in scoring, with Hughes, Gardner and Rahbeck all key elements for the Red Hut team, which has an 8-2-2 record.
In a recent 10-2 victory over the Puckerd Stars, Kirk had a hat-trick, (three goals), Hughes and Rich Baines scored two each, while both Gardner and Rahbeck played stellar defense against the veteran Stars.
The team has also built quite a cult following. Not known as a huge spectator sport in Tahoe, this team regularly draws between 50-60 fans per game, many of them student-aged. The fans of the Chiefs in the movie "Slap Shot" have nothing on this rowdy group.
As the boys head off to college this fall, they are all hoping their hockey careers continue. Baines and Hughes will attend the University of Oregon, and intend to try out for the Ducks' hockey club. Gardner is heading to the University of Utah, his parents' alma mater, and hopes to play for the Utes' hockey team. Rahbeck will attend the University of Nevada this fall but will commute back to Tahoe to continue playing on adult league teams.
It is not certain whether the South Shore has ever produced college hockey players. If these boys are the first, it is a tribute to those who worked hard to build the rink, plus the parents and coaches who spent countless hours providing this experience for these kids.
The "B" league playoffs begin Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at the rink. A win in this game would ensure a spot in the championship game the following evening.
