ROLLER HOCKEY BECOMES FAMILY AFFAIR; CLEMENTES HONE `COMPETITIVE SPIRITS'.

Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News

Roller hockey is not only a father-and-son activity for the Clemente family. Count mother and daughters in as well.

Every member of the Canyon Country family of five are roller hockey enthusiasts.

Tom, 44, a podiatrist, and son Tommy, 18, are teammates in the advanced beginner league at the Santa Clarita Roller Hockey Center. They also referee games at the Santa Clarita YMCA together.

Tom's wife Val, 43, a special education elementary school teacher, and their daughter Marissa, 15, are playing in the new all-women's league at the Santa Clarita Roller Hockey Center this summer. Another daughter Jessica, 11, recently started playing.

``There is an element of risk and a lot of people think we're nuts,'' Tom said. ``The good fun outweighs the risk. It's better than living in a closet all the time.''

Sure, the Clementes enjoy traditional family outings like camping. But this is a very active family and hockey joins other passions such as motocross, boating, snowboarding and skiing.

The Clemente's garage is filled with motorcycles, roller hockey and ski equipment. Piles of skates and sticks also fill their back room.

Tommy, a freshman at College of the Canyons who works at the Santa Clarita Roller Hockey Center, was the first to don the roller hockey skates five years ago. His father joined in the neighborhood pickup games a couple of weeks later.

``It just looked like so much fun, I had to go out and buy myself a pair,'' the elder Clemente said. ``It's as easy as it looks. The interest just grew. It feeds on itself.''

All it took was a Christmas present of skates from Tom to get his wife started three years ago. After brief thoughts of returning the gift, Val was soon in neighborhood pickup games with her husband and son.

Starting at goalie (so she wouldn't have to move as much), Val quickly became hooked despite a few bumps and bruises. Tom also encouraged his daughters to join in the family ``get togethers.''

``We all have competitive spirits,'' Val said. ``I've been knocked out of the crease a couple of times, but I am a good sport about it. You only live once and I just want to play as long as I can. I guess it's brought all of us closer together.''

Tom and Tommy are a perfect example.

``They really have a good relationship,'' said Leonard Elick, a teammate of the two. ``They hang out together, and they're like buddies.''

Tommy, who also plays in an intermediate adult league, was a former coach of his father's team, ``Old Dogs.'' Exasperated with the team's dismal performances, Tommy eventually joined the squad despite being the only player below the age of 30.

``Me and my dad are real good friends, but it was frustrating trying to tell them what to do,'' Tommy said. ``A lot of parents come out and watch; I think it's cool my parents play, too.''

Tommy said his main responsibility during games these days is to keep his father out of trouble and keep a handle on Tom's short temper.

``He's a troublemaker and I have to watch his back,'' Tommy joked about his father. ``I have to keep my eye on him to protect him and keep him out of trouble. If I don't, they will try to come after him and beat him up.''

Responded Tom: ``Both of us have had our share of penalty minutes. A lot of times there is roughness and fisticuffs from incidental contact. Tempers flare and you want to grab on to something. Everybody wants to win, but we're all friendly after the game.''

Tom's competitive spirit seems to be rubbing off on his wife and daughters.

Not content with playground pickup games and at the YMCA, Val and Marissa formed their own team, ``Out of Control,'' for the new women's league at the Santa Clarita Roller Hockey Center.

``I've picked up a lot of tips and basically learned strategy instead of just passing up the puck,'' Val said.

Women had played in the regular adult league in the past, but Santa Clarita Roller Hockey Center director Melissa Morgan said the four-team league was created because of the growing interest for an all-women's league.

``A lot of women have expressed a desire to play but were intimidated about playing against men,'' Morgan said.

For Val and Marissa, the new league has been a perfect avenue to hone their skills and their family ties.

``We like to do female things like shopping but we enjoy playing with each other just as much,'' Marissa said.

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Photo

PHOTO The Clementes: Tom Sr., Valerie and Tom Jr. (top, from left); Marissa and Jessica (bottom).

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News