O Captain, My Captain! (The Hockey Version) Poem by Mark J. Schulte

This is dedicated to John Shanahan who was for several years the Czar of the St David's School club hockey program in New York City. At his retirement the very successful program was turned over to the school administrators.


O CAPTAIN! My Captain! your icy trip is done;
You've actually beaten Beaver Dam, the Lasker Cup is won.
Mackay is near, no need to fear, but is it Route 9A?
It only took us seven years to figure out the way.

Hark! who's that down on the ice?
Up and out of bed.
It's Sunday morning,7 am:
it's John, our hockey Head.

O Captain! My Captain! rise up and hear the horn.
You've triumphed over quite a foe, so why the look forlorn?
You've finally beaten Buckley in a way that they'd say's fair;
by playing two 16 year olds... and a goalie with facial hair.

Hark, hark, hark! Who is that man?
St. David's own 'Big Red'.
Without the Scotto gourmet lunch,
he's cold and underfed.

O Captain! My Captain! you've done a wondrous thing.
How could you be so clever? of you the parents sing.
The SCHOOL now runs the program, our task is cut by half,
With subtle quirk... laid off the work, on St David's coaching staff.

Exult O club, for Shanahan,
For us he's paid the price.
Let's raise our glasses for a toast,
John's coming off the ice....!

MJS.5/10/08