Another hockey season is on us.Canada’s game returns for another go, and the ultimate prize is Lord Stanley’s Cup.
It’s a big chunk of metal with multiple spelling mistakes, errors and general tin-bashing snafus that add to the character of the prize rather than take away from it. But then again, ask Jacques Plante’s ghost how he feels about having his name spelled wrong, five times.
Hockey is my favourite sport. Let’s face it, a lot of kids growing up in the ‘burbs loved the game, especially in a hockey town like Whitby, where we offered the NHL Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts, Adam Foote, Keith Primeau and James Neal.
I always liked third-line players because of their hard work and dedication to the game. They might not have been superstars, but they kept at it, and generally had long careers. So don’t be surprised by guys like Randy Burridge, Paul Ysebaert and Brian Noonan being on this list.
| 25. |  |
Player: Greg Hawgood, D Teams: Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars. Active: 1987-2002 |
|---|---|---|
| 24. |  |
Player: Pat Verbeek, C Teams: New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings. Active: 1982-2002 |
| 23. |  |
Player: Josef Beranek, C Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers. Active: 1991-2001 |
| 22. |  |
Player: Brian Noonan, RW Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes. Active: 1987-1999 |
| 21. |  |
Player: Duncan Keith, D Teams: Chicago Blackhawks Active: 2005-Present Photo by Brian Baker |
| 20. |  |
Player: Bill Ranford, G Teams: Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings. Active: 1985-2000 |
| 19. |  |
Player: Bryan Marchment, D Teams: Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames. Active: 1989-2006 |
| 18. |  |
Player: Dave Ellett, D Teams: Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. Active: 1984-2000 |
| 17. |  |
Player: Bob Probert, LW Teams: Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks Active: 1985-2002 |
| 16. |  |
Player: Mike Bossy, RW Teams: New York Islanders Active: 1977-1987 |
| 15. |  |
Player: Denis Savard Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning Active: 1980-1997 |
| 14. |  |
Player: Vincent Damphousse, LW/C Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and San Jose Sharks. Active: 1986-2004 |
| 13. |  |
Player: Pierre Turgeon, C Teams: New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche. Active: 1987-2007 |
| 12. |  |
Player: Craig Muni, D Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars. Active: 1982-1998 |
| 11. |  |
Player: Ray Bourque, D Teams: Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche. Active: 1979-2001 |
| 10. |  |
Player: Mikael Renberg, RW Teams: Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Phoenix Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs. Active: 1990-2009 |
| 9. |  |
Player: Randy Burridge, LW Teams: Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins. Active: 1985-1999 |
| 8. |  |
Player: Dave Gagner, C Teams: New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks. Active: 1984-1999 |
| 7. |  |
Player: Jonathan Toews, C Teams: Chicago Blackhawks Active: 2007-Present Photo by Brian Baker |
| 6. |  |
Player: Craig Hartsburg, D Teams: Minnesota North Stars Active: 1978-1989 |
| 5. |  |
Player: Steve Larmer, RW Teams: Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers Active: 1980-1995 |
| 4. |  |
Player: Dale Hawerchuk, C Teams: Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers Active: 1981-1997 |
| 3. |  |
Player: Ed Belfour, G Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. Active: 1989-2008 |
| 2. |  |
Player: Paul Ysebaert, LW Teams: New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets and Tampa Bay Lightning. Active: 1987-1999 |
| 1. |  |
Player: Mats Naslund, LW Teams: Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins Active: 1975-1995 |