The Top 15 (Non-NJ Devils) Hockey Players That Impacted My Life

Believe it or not, people you never meet will have huge impacts on your life. For me, hockey players have impacted my life tremendously.

Ok, so this is not a travel history blog, sorry to disappoint you, but it is a blog with a lot of history.  I wanted to keep writing but thought it might be better if I switched for a bit and wrote about another one of my passions, hockey.  I grew up in a rural part of New Jersey, with a pond near my parents’ property. We skated on the pond each winter (in fact, the pond is the scene of my infamous Olympic aspirations gone bad, but we’ll get to that later.)  Hockey has never been as big as some other sports in the US, but for some reason it is big in my family.  Not only did we play pond hockey we also played ball hockey (which would be beneficial in my future). 

With that in mind, I thought I would write a blog about the Top 15 (non-New Jersey Devils) players that helped shaped my love for hockey.  These will not necessarily be the Top 15 players during that time period, but they were the Top 15 that impacted me.  I also kept the list to non-New Jersey Devils players since that is my team and I’m sure I could come up with a lot more than 15 (and I will write a NJ Devils blog in the future). 

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Back to growing up in New Jersey…the year was 1976 and that year the Winter Olympics were held in Innsbruck, Austria.  In my young mind, what I saw on television seemed easy and I thought I could do whatever the athletes could do.  So, with my Christmas present of a pair of ice skates in hand, we all trekked down to the pond late Christmas day to go skating. I remember thinking I should try to do a couple of jumps and spins since my skates where figure skates (and double-bladed no less).  I wanted to represent my nation in the Olympics.  So, I needed to start right then. 

To this day I don’t remember how many jumps and spins I tried, but it did not go well.  After several minutes and multiple falls, the pain in my shoulder told me I should call it quits for the night.  So, I sat on the side while my older brothers and younger sister kept skating.  After we made it back to the house, I told my Mom about my falls and the pain.  At first the plan was to just ‘work through it’ (not her words, but a phrase that athletes use now).  However, the pain never subsided.  During the wait, my Father, who was a New Jersey State Trooper, had left for work and a snow storm had moved in.  With the help of my Uncle, my Mother brought me to the hospital in a blizzard and, sure enough, I had broken my clavicle. 

My Olympic dreams were smashed!  No way could I ever recover in enough time to train to be a world class figure skater and make the 1988 or 1990 Olympics.  My life was devastated and I had to come up with a new course to follow.  OK, really?  Do you think an elementary school kid thinks that way?  I thought it was cool I broke a bone.  Plus, figure skating wasn’t as cool as hockey, so as long as I could keep playing hockey who cared!  Remember, this a post about hockey, not figure skating.  Let’s get back to my list. 

Being my formative years, some of my biggest hockey influences occurred in the 1980s and the first part of the 1990s.  It is from this time period I will choose my top players.  Some of the players impacted me for brilliant play on the ice, others for superb leadership, some for cool facial hair and one because of a video game. So, let’s go, Game On!

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The List…

#14 Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames.  Lanny was a bigger than life character that I loved watching in the playoffs.  His passion for the game and the joy he had after winning a Stanley Cup in 1989 was electrifying.  I don’t remember him playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Colorado Rockies, but his leadership and persona during his time with the Flames left a lasting impression on me.  Add to that the iconic stash that whisked in the wind while he skated, and you have a quintessential impacting player.  He is a Hockey Hall of Famer and a true legacy for the Flames organization. 

#13 (wait…why did the list start with 14, but the paragraph above mention 15 players?  Because I refuse to put Mark Messier in any list of top players unless it is a list of players I don’t like (and will never like since his victory over my Devils in the 1994 playoffs) you get 14!   If I had a list of players I didn’t like, he would be number 1.   So, this is a list of 14 players, sorry.)

#13 Eric Desjardins, Montreal Canadians & Philadelphia Flyers.  Eric influenced me in two ways.  The first way is a silly way, because of a video game.  During college, my roommates and I would occasionally play video games, and one of the games we played was an early NHL game.  The Canadiens were a very good team in the late 80s and early 90s, so the game designers stacked their team.  I remember one of the guys on our hall would always be Montreal, and everyone had a hard time playing against them because of Eric.  He was a beast in that game.  Then, the second way, in the mid-90s he was traded to Philly, and, being the second most hated team in the league by a Devils fan, I despised him even more.  But it was a respectful despise.  I know he is a great person and felt he was a great hockey player, he just happened to ruin my chance of winning video games during college.          

#12 Teemu Selanne, Winnipeg Jets and Anaheim Ducks.  Although the Finnish Flash played on other teams, these are the two teams where he impacted me the most.  Teemu was a pure scorer with a vibrant personality that came through on the television screen.  His first season earned him the Rookie of the Year award and he never stopped climbing.  He and I are about the same age, so to see someone my age doing what he did made me feel small, but proud.  I knew the past players would not dominate the history books.  Someone my own age would rank right up there and would be counted among the best.  He sits in the top 15 in goals and points all time (that will change, with new players, but still very good) and is another Hockey Hall of Famer.    

#11 Mike Eruzione, Team USA.  Mike Captained Team USA over the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics.  Although he did not play in the NHL, that impact of the Miracle on Ice merits his status on my list.  The game winning goal and then the call from Al Michaels were, to a Cold War kid, a lasting impression.  After my sad attempt at skating in 1976 for the Olympics, the 1980 Olympics were life changing. 

Top 10…

#10 Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadians and Colorado Avalanche.  Patrick is one of the all-time greatest goalies to ever play the game.  He won so many awards (among them he won 3 Best Goalie Awards (Vezina), 3-time Playoff MVP (Conn Smythe)), multiple Stanley Cups and then the goalie-on-goalie fight against Mike Vernon will cement him as a game changer.  His butterfly style of goaltending sent ripples through hockey and changed the way many goalies play. Another Hockey Hall of Famer (and someone who beat my Devils in the Stanley Cup Final in 2001, but you will see later in this article I was somewhat OK with the loss).  Seeing him play, and the level of passion he has for the game puts him in my Top 10.        

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#9 Pavel Bure, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers.  The Russian Rocket…Pavel started his career playing in Mother Russia (at that time, the Soviet Union) but was drafted by Vancouver in 1989.  He was drafted in the 6^th round even though he clearly had talent.  The caution about taking him centered on the concern about Russian players being able to actually play in the NHL as well as confusion on Pavel’s draft eligibility.  But play he did, and he was spectacular.  He won the Rookie of the Year award (Calder Memorial Trophy) and lit up goaltenders across the NHL with his scoring abilities.  Due to the Soviet style influence, Pavel’s skating was amazing and his speed led to his nickname of the Russian Rocket.  Watching him on TV was always exciting.  He too is a Hockey Hall of Famer.      

#8 Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins & Washington Capitals (among many others).  The ageless one in my book.  Jaromir started his NHL playing career with Pittsburgh, and was the youngest player in the league at 18 years old.  He was still playing in the NHL at age 45 until time caught up with him.  And yes, I know, he played for the Devils, but that was much later in his career so it doesn’t count towards the impact he had on me when I was younger.  During his younger days I remember the flowing hair.  I used to joke with my Sister-in-law about the hair because she was infatuated with him (and his hair).  His skill is undeniable.  His longevity has been documented.  The impact he had on the game is without question.  I disliked the Penguins because they were in the same division as my Devils and were always a tough team to beat.  But the multiple Stanley Cups are hard to deny.  The team (and Jaromir) were amazing and a lot of fun to watch.  Jaromir won 5 NHL scoring awards (Art Ross Trophy) and 1 NHL MVP award (Hart Trophy) as well as an Olympic Gold Medal.  It is too early for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but it will happen.      

#7 Pat LaFontaine, New York Islander & Buffalo Sabers.  Patty LaFontaine was a favorite growing up.  Part of that was due to his link with the Islanders (see below at #3 & #4) and for some reason I thought his name (Patty LaFontaine) was cool.  Add to that, he scored the game winning goal during the “Easter Epic” overtime game between the Islanders and the Washington Capitals, he ranks high in the impact on my hockey life.  I remember sitting with my father watching that game.  In fact, if I remember correctly, for a while, I was even sitting in the Old Man’s chair (which no one should ever do, but, I did).  My fanatical fandom for the Devils had started to bloom before that season, but that overtime game in the late 80s still kept me as an Islanders fan for a bit longer.  Pat is also a Hockey Hall of Famer.   

#6 Raymond Bourque, Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche.  Ray Bourque, the 5-time Best NHL Defenseman (Norris Trophy) winner, the holder of many NHL records as a Defenseman, the man I almost cried with when he beat my NJ Devils to win his only Stanley Cup with the Avs.  Ray is the only reason I am OK with the Devils losing that Cup.  The man played so hard before that year, and never won.  His career was clearly near the end when he requested a trade away from the Bruins (which must have been hard), and when Joe Sakic handed him the Cup right away before skating around himself, that shows you everything you need to know about Ray Bourque.  (For that, Sakic deserves an Honorable Mention in my post!)  I still get choked up thinking about that moment.  He deserved his name on Lord Stanley’s Cup, and I am happy it is there.  Clearly a Hockey Hall of Famer.     

Top 5…

#5 Stevie Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings.  Detroit is one of my least favorite teams, but the respect I have for Stevie Yzerman and his play enable me to place him on this list, and place him this high in the Top 5.  To me, Stevie Y is the Captain.  He is the leader.  His name should be attached to the Leadership Award each year the NHL gives out (not some washed up has been that will NOT EVER make this list.)  The steady professionalism and skill exhibited by Stevie Y put him near the top of this list.  If you were a fan of hockey when he played, you wanted to meet him.  You wanted to play a pickup game with him.  He is the everyday “Joe” we all wanted to be but his skill set him so far above others.  Yet, he always seemed down to Earth to me.  He treated everyone with respect even when he was playing you hard.  For that alone I respect him.  For having grace after my Devils beat the Red Wings in 1995, only to help turn the Red Wings around the next year and start winning their own Stanley Cups after many in Detroit questioned him, that is respect worthy.  That is Hall of Fame worthy and he too sits enshrined in Toronto.         

#3 & #4 Mike Bossy and Brian Trottier, New York Islanders.  I am grouping these two together due to their link with the NY Islanders in the late 70s and early 80s. The awards are too numerous to mention.  Both are Hockey Hall of Famers.  Both were phenomenal hockey players.  But, the biggest impact on me was the 4 Stanley Cups they won together with the NY Islanders.  I remember as a kid watching Islanders playoff games in double and triple overtime.  The excitement when the Islanders won was exhilarating.  I was an Islanders fan first since NJ did not have a team when I was younger.  And being an Islanders fan in the late 70s and early 80s was special.  These two gentlemen formed the core of a team I lived for.  I am not sure if I would be a hockey fan without these two.  I would like to thank them for my love of hockey.        

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#2 Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins.  Alongside Jagr, Super Mario formed a duo that cemented the Penguins in the early 90s.  He was graceful.  He possessed skills I didn’t think anyone could have.  In my mind, he is probably the best hockey player ever.  Had he not gotten sick, I believe he might have more points than the gentleman that sits at #1 on my list.  He is truly a gentleman and a special ambassador for hockey.  He won so many awards, and is currently the only person to have his name on the Cup as a player and an owner.  When we were playing hockey as teenagers, we wanted to be like him.  Now, his love for hockey is what drove him to buy the Penguins when they were bankrupt and revive the team.  He truly is a special person and deserves all the accolades he gets.  Easily inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.              

#1 Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings & St Louis Blues.  The Great One.  Wayne changed hockey forever.  He thought the game differently.  Wayne found places on the ice others wouldn’t go to and took advantage of other teams because of it.  He is the all-time goal, assist and point scorer in NHL history.  I remember playing ball hockey in my front yard growing up, and after I scored a couple of goals, my older brother called me Gretzky as a joke.  My brother was clearly better than me, but since I was younger, sure, why not pick on the kid brother.  Wayne is still out there promoting hockey at all levels and means so much to Canadians and the continued growth of hockey.  It was shocking when he was traded to the Kings after winning all the Cups in Edmonton.  I never saw him play in person since most of his career was spent on the West Coast.  But even when you watched him on TV you knew he was special.  His quick Hall of Fame election and the permanent retirement of the number 99 in the NHL is most deserving. Although I will never forgive Wayne for calling my Devils a Mickey Mouse team, he deserves the #1 spot on my list.

And beyond…

In all, these men impacted my life.  I know I will never even be anywhere near good enough to actually play hockey well, but my love for the game helped drive a small victory.  During my career in the military I was deployed to Israel to work Security Cooperation.  While there, I was stationed with international partners, and our Canadian allies played ball hockey every week.  I joined the fun and we had a blast playing.  Someone hatched an idea to have a tournament so we formed teams and played for the glory of our countries.  We had enough players for four teams; 2 Canadian Teams, 1 ‘International’ Team (members from several nations) and 1 Team USA. 

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I know I wear my uniform and represent the US every day, but pulling the Team USA jersey on and representing our nation that way was an honor (and almost as good to my 1976 persona as being in the Olympics).  Plus, we came in second after beating one of the Canadian teams and the International team.  We just couldn’t beat the top Canadian team and lost to them twice.  But I am proud of our team and how we played.         

I hope you enjoyed a different kind of post.  I will work on one about the New Jersey Devils players that impacted my love for the game.  Just know my favorite all time player is not one listed here, nor will be listed as a Devils player.  Stay tuned to see who the player is. But for now, have fun and stay safe!

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