Retired NHL players

[xrickyb86x 1]

Just wondering if anyone knows how many former NHL players are still playing beer league hockey somewhere. You got to figure there's quite a bit. Anyone have stories, pictures, anything like that?

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Eric Boulton who isn't retired plays in a summer beer league in Duluth. :) He's not as tall as the program states he is on the Thrashers website.

[LivHockey84 0]

you run into quite a few ex wings , plymouth whalers around here in metro detroit. Kris newbury was skating in some drop-in last winter

[shoeshine boy 242]

there's an Over35 league here in Atlanta that some of the local retired NHLers have played in. Scott Pearson and Uwe Krupp were the biggest guys. Darren Elliot skated out as did Billy Jaffe and Bob Hartley. Hartley was pretty bad. :)

most of the former NHLers in town now play in an invite-only sticktime during day. I've even heard Tom Glavine is playing in that sticktime now that he's retired. some mid-level guys I know were trying to get Glavine to play on their beer league team but he declined. apparently he was concerned about guys trying to make their bones by running him. can't say I blame him.

[mack 44]

Darren Turcotte and Jay More played in Nashville for a few years after retiring.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

there's an Over35 league here in Atlanta that some of the local retired NHLers have played in. Scott Pearson and Uwe Krupp were the biggest guys. Darren Elliot skated out as did Billy Jaffe and Bob Hartley. Hartley was pretty bad. :)

most of the former NHLers in town now play in an invite-only sticktime during day. I've even heard Tom Glavine is playing in that sticktime now that he's retired. some mid-level guys I know were trying to get Glavine to play on their beer league team but he declined. apparently he was concerned about guys trying to make their bones by running him. can't say I blame him.

I forgot about good ole Darren. Tom Glavine played AA last season in duluth, but he isn't signed up for this season.

I'll look forward to running you this season. :)

[shoeshine boy 242]

I forgot about good ole Darren. Tom Glavine played AA last season in duluth, but he isn't signed up for this season.

I'll look forward to running you this season. :)

the guys I know wanted him to play on their Middle AA team. I was like, "are you nuts? he'll never eval at that level!". they tried to tell me, "but he hasn't played in 20 years!". lol! the dude was DRAFTED by the Kings!

why are you looking to run me? are you sandbagging this season after the injury or playing Lower AA?

[Machinehead2k5 32]

A) I Just know that you're on the Lemmings, not exactly who you are.

B) My rehab has been less than what I've wanted it to be at this point.

C) If I can get up to 80% by at least halfway through the season I'll be a LAA.

I TRY to start skating tomorrow.

[chippa13 1844]

Terry O'Reilly still skates at a regular pickup.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

Bret Hedican skates at drop-ins occasionally.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Bret Hedican skates at drop-ins occasionally.

He could skate by everybody with his eyes closed and stick upside down. One of the most fluid skaters I've ever seen skate in person. I would say Scott Niedermayer but I've never seen him skate in person/game.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Al Secord plays in a mens league not too far from me. He's also a pilot for American Airlines.

[Trooper 8]

Around here there is a weekly invite-only skate that all the high end guys play in. Mostly NCAA, real Jr. A, a few ex-pros, but also just some really good local up and coming players. It varies who shows up each week.

[DEATHTRON 19]

Al Secord plays in a mens league not too far from me. He's also a pilot for American Airlines.

I play against him...he punched me one, I did not enjoy it.

Zach

[kovyperron5727 0]

I play against him...he punched me one, I did not enjoy it.

Zach

Hahaha I wouldn't either. How does he stack up against the competition? I'm assuming he's still amazing

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

He could skate by everybody with his eyes closed and stick upside down. One of the most fluid skaters I've ever seen skate in person. I would say Scott Niedermayer but I've never seen him skate in person/game.

I agree. I've been a fan of his since his days with the Canucks in the '94 Cup Finals. Phenomenal skater.

[DEATHTRON 19]

Hahaha I wouldn't either. How does he stack up against the competition? I'm assuming he's still amazing

He stands out to some degree, but there is alot of talent in the league. What stands out to me, is when he does what I consider a "power" move. Basically, he does something with authority...be it cutting to the middle and shooting, or some sort of low percentage pass...it makes you just sit back and say "thats how he made a living in the NHL".

Zach

[Neal 41]

I haven't seen him in a few years because I don't make it to that skate any more, but I understand Reed Larson is still scaring the wits right out of goalies with his slapshot.

[wickedlite44 0]

The Eagle skated out in my league with his son last season.

[Fisticuffs 0]

When I was in high school and college a couple guys who played in the AHL would come out and play pickup. One of them was probably in his early 50s at the time. He had the quickest snapshot I've ever seen (both in terms of quick release, and the power of the shot). He was also fast as hell, and very smooth on his skates.

[Neo5370 132]

Andre Savage came to drop-in a time or two last summer in RI. Even though he was one of the better players on the ice I was surprised that he didn't seem that much faster/smoother than some of the younger "competetive" kids, i.e. prepschool/junior/college/etc. kids. Though he was obviously not trying.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=27831. Mostly minor and euro leaguer.

Jamie Thompson skated at a few drop-ins I happened to be at in the late 90's and he seemd ok. Though some of his friends and a local highschool kid at the time seemd to show much more finesse. But again, who knows how much effort if any he was putting in.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=5385.

These are the only guys I got the names of. There has been the occasional guy that people would say "he was/is pro" and you could tell it was true by the way they played. I don't know how to describe it but the way they do fundamental things re: skating, passing, shooting, stickhandling just seems "perfect" compared to everyone else. And to think these guys aren't even NHL stars!

[HattrickSwayze 3]

I don't know how to describe it but the way they do fundamental things re: skating, passing, shooting, stickhandling just seems "perfect" compared to everyone else. And to think these guys aren't even NHL stars!

After playing with some guys that are pretty ridiculous hockey players that probably never even got a sniff at something close to semi-pro, I've come to the conclusion that NHL players are on a different level. I can't even imagine what it'd be like to play with or against a guy like Datsyuk.

[Neo5370 132]

After playing with some guys that are pretty ridiculous hockey players that probably never even got a sniff at something close to semi-pro, I've come to the conclusion that NHL players are on a different level. I can't even imagine what it'd be like to play with or against a guy like Datsyuk.

Completely agree. I've never been on the ice w/ a legitimate NHL'er let alone NHL standout, but like I said, even these semi-pro's and elite level juniors just seem to have unreal skills compared to the the avg. joe.

Pucks seem super-glued to their sticks when dangling, and shots rocket off on shots or hard passes, saucers are picture-worthy one of their strides equals about 10 of mine, and they don't even seem to break a sweat. Really humbling.

[zachary 2]

I've never played against any in drop-in or men's league but this spring 3 or 4 kids who play for the Chicago Steel of the USHL came out to where I usually go here and Illinois. They were all pretty good and I was happy half of them were on the other team so I could challenge them. I actually turned one of them inside out with a 1 hand through the legs. I felt special for about 10 secs lol.

[NZblackice 0]

Was pretty excited to see Ray Bourque playing summer men's league last Wednesday night. Gained a few pounds but you can tell he still has it.

Thought it was pretty sick to see him wearing the same bucket he won the Stanley Cup with too.