I will say they didn't quit.
But the physical dominance at that age was very apparent.
I will admit, the US women’s Olympic hockey team is much better than they were 50 years ago, but I suspect the boys high school hockey team in northern Minnesota is too. That little town in northern Minnesota, is Warroad, population 1,830. I met Bill and Roger Christian, the 1960 Olympic gold medal winners. I got to hold their gold medals in my hot little hands. Later, they made a ton of money, making hockey sticks. 🤪