By Mike Russo
The Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers remained locked in a 2-2 tie heading into overtime of the championship game. For many of the students, it represented the last game they would ever play at Wheeler before moving on to junior high. These students, like all who have come and gone through the league, wanted to go out with class and knowing they had given it their all -- the way their program director, Robert Primeggia, had taught them.
Primeggia, known more commonly as "Mr. Prim" by his students, has been running the Prime Time Hockey League, a deck-hockey program, at Wheeler for the past 14 summers. The league welcomes anybody from the school district in grades 3-6, boy or girl, and regardless of skill level. In addition to providing equipment for every player, Primeggia grabs a microphone to give the play-by-play, turns out popular '80s and '90s songs throughout the game, and bangs on an aluminum trash can -- making the atmosphere seem more like that of a National Hockey League arena than an elementary school gymnasium.
Primeggia said he got the idea to start the program back when he was a student himself. His former gym teacher used to provide play-by-play in their scooter hockey program, and Primeggia built his vision from there. Primeggia, who is also a gym teacher at Wheeler during the school year, said that he never expected the league to become as big as it has.
"I never thought it would have gotten to the point where parents would be taking off work to watch the game," Primeggia said. "It's unbelievable how big it has gotten."
Players and their parents, many who show up to watch even when they don't have a friend or kid playing at the time, had nothing but good things to say about Primeggia and the league that they have fallen in love with.
Missy Kleinschmidt, a parent of a player in the championship game, said that Primeggia is more than just a program director and has meant so much to her and her family.
"People come from other schools and are just in awe of this game," Kleinschmidt said. "He's still here banging on that trash can and giving it his all. He amazes me every single day."
"It's a great program and Primeggia does a great job," said Kim Weissheier, whose two sons played in the league. "They really loved it. It's something nice for them to do and it's really fun to watch."
Twin brother and sister Joe and Jenna Abruzzino, who played for the Rangers, have been playing in the league since they were in third grade and are now graduating.
"We liked how 'Prim' put a lot of effort into the league," Joe said.
During the championship game, the Red Wings, who had battled back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the score with only four minutes remaining, had shown what Primeggia had always taught them - heart, determination and perseverance. Primeggia, speaking to the crowd of parents and friends on the sidelines just before the overtime period began, said, "Woah! How about these kids?! You lose sight of the fact that they're only eight to 12-years-old."
The Rangers ended up winning, however, scoring two goals in overtime to give them back-to-back titles in the league. And though the league can be competitive, Primeggia says that winning and losing are not the most important things.
"For me, my favorite thing is seeing someone who maybe scored a goal for the first time or made a really good play," Primeggia said. "When you see a smile on their face and you know that win or lose, they had a good time."
