It may take a little longer to lace up his skates, and his body may need a little more protection than it once did, but Robert Henning still commands respect in the locker room.

The 89-year-old has more ice time under his skates than many of his teammates combined.

“I’d hate to say it, but I’ve been in darn near almost every rink in Saskatchewan, and a lot of others,” said Henning.

Henning started playing senior hockey in Melfort when he was just 16 years old. He still skates a few times a week at the city’s local rink, and once a year for his birthday he suits up to play hockey. Many of Henning’s teammates have been skating alongside him for more than four decades.

“At 89, there’s lots of people who aren’t around. And you run into an 89-year-old who can still be around and skate like he does. That’s an inspiration for anybody,” said one of Henning’s longest-standing teammates Stan Ryhorchuk.

Henning never made it to the NHL, but his son did. Lorne Henning played more than 500 games in the big leagues. In 1980 he assisted the goal that won the New York Islanders the first of four consecutive Stanley Cups.

“It has been pretty special for me. And it’s been pretty special for dad. He was a big part of when we won those cups,” said Lorne.

Hockey makes up most of the Henning family’s fondest memories. Lorne said his dad has been there since day one.

“We used to go out on the lake and skate around and play pickup games with the neighbours. Dad was always there to help us.”

Now the assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, Lorne credits his dad for being the driving force behind his success. He said his dad has never been one to back away from any challenge.

Lorne recalled one game several years ago against the Minneapolis police hockey team. He said one opponent, who was well over six feet tall, slew-footed — or tripped — his dad.

“Dad is trying to fight him, and dad is like 65 years old. And so we’re saying, ‘Dad, dad, stop. I don’t want to have to back you up.’ And he says, ‘Don’t worry about me, son. You won’t have to back me up.’”

Since then, Robert has cooled his jets — a bit.

“I’m not as physical as I used to be,” Robert laughed. “I used to get in a few tangles, but it’s just more for fun now, and for exercise. I’m just glad to be doing it.”

His teammates in the noon-hour hockey league, or the NHHL as they like to call it, said they’re glad to have him. The 89-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, they said.

“I’ll be ready to go off the ice, and I’ll look over and (Henning) is still skating around in circles doing stops and starts. So I can’t go off the ice when this 89-year-old man is still going strong,” said teammate Terry Rogers.

Robert scored more than once in the game marking his 89th birthday. The seven-decade hockey star said he’ll be back at the rink next year to do the same and to mark another milestone on the ice.

“It’s been a good run. I hope to be able to keep on doing it for a few more years.”