Checking Lines (On Favorite Players)

I don't know how most NHL fans feel, but I'm drawn as a fan to those players who aren't superstars. I admired the talent of players like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemiuex, and Mike Bossy (to name just a few) who were the best players during the 1980s and 90s, my formative years as an NHL fan. In addition, those players were solid citizens who played the game with class and respect and (in the cases of Gretzky and Lemiuex) have continued to give back to the game as part-owners after they retired as players (or have most likely retired, in the case of Lemiuex). Who wouldn't want their son or daughter to grow up to be just like Wayne Gretzky, whether she/he's a hockey player or not? To have the talent to be able to redefine the way the game is played and establish records that will probably never be equalled or surpassed is impressive enough. To have done all that he did and handled all the acclaim and attention with as much humility, grace, and dignity as The Great One always did is something altogether different and rare.
I also admire the talent of superstars of today such as Martin St. Louis, Joe Sakic, Martin Brodeur, Jarome Iginla, and many others I could name. While I admire those players, I don't identify with them and I don't feel any particular affection for them. Anyone can have a superstar for a favorite player. If you do, I don't mean to knock you. My favorite players as I've watched NHL hockey over these many years, though, have been those players who populate the third and fourth lines of NHL teams. I've always liked players who are hard workers - blue-collar, lunch pail, ham-and-eggers who do the things that don't always show up in box scores. Every goal that a Gretzky or Lemiuex scored was a thing of beauty in its own way, I'm sure (although Gretzky would be the first to tell you that he got his share of "garbage" goals among the 1,016 he scored in his career), but those players scored so many goals that you came to expect them, and they usually made it look easy. When a checking line guy scores a goal, you know he worked his ass off for it. Ask any superstar who ever achieved any kind of great success, individually or as part of a team, and he should tell you (if he's being honest) that he could not have done what he did without the role players and the "grinders". Teams simply do not win Stanley Cups without them. For every Wayne Gretzky or Joe Sakic in the modern history of the league and every Gordie Howe or Rocket Richard in the league's early years, there's been a checking line player on the other team who was saddled with the unenviable and often thankless task of trying to shut him down or at least limit the damage he could do.

Guys who played with a bit of an edge. Guys who will take a hit to make play. Guys who go into the corners fearlessly and make their living along the boards. Guys who were on the ice in every short-handed situation. Guys who give up their bodies to block slapshots. These are the players to whom I've always been drawn. I suppose that fits with my personality. I would rather not be in the spotlight. If I played guitar, I'd be happier being the rhythm guitarist rather than the lead guitarist who plays the solos. As a drummer, I'm the kind of player who gets off on playing musically, for the song, and keeping a tight groove. I wouldn't know what to do if somebody told me I had to improvise a drum solo. I'd probably run off the stage.

In future posts, I'll talk about some of the players who have been my favorites over the years.


Cheers!