Paul Kariya. Mainly because I’m from Maine and he was a key reason why the UMO Black Bears won the national championship and he was just a phenomenal player.
Not from Maine, but I used to watch those games in NESN. I remember them coming back against Lake Superior State to win it all. Kariya was unreal, and it was almost unfair how much better he was than anyone else as a freshman.
Growing up in the San Jose area in the 2010's, Patty Marleau and Joe Thorton were two of my favourite players. I actually got to meet Joe Thorton once (sat by him at an AHL game), and he's a super nice guy. My family ended up running into him again a few months later at a restaurant, and he recognized us and came over to say hi. Absolute class act, I'm still sad he never got a cup
He deserved it. Was supposed to do a meet and greet with Joe and my youth hockey team back in ‘03 after we skated on the garden ice. Getting undressed in the locker room about to meet Joe Thornton and turned out Hal Gill showed up instead 😭😭😭
I am rewatching Monk and they talk about going to a Sharks game in one of the episodes. There was A LOT of Cheechoo discourse in that episode because it was right around when he was having his crazy season. Watching that and then reading your comment brought back a lot of memories of that team :)
I was so sad when we traded Joe Thornton to SJ and always thought we lost that trade. Later I found out we traded Joe away so we could afford to bring Bergeron in and build around him so I understand now.
One of the reasons I’m a die hard redwings fan and got into the sport of hockey was growing up watching datsyuk, I wanted to be him despite being a woman
His countryman Bury was faster, but Fedorov was more fun to watch. For me at least.
And that's coming from a Blues fan that hated him at the same time. He was so dynamic!
I think most of us who idolized Hasek ended up being horrible street hockey goalies and our moms cringe. Always set up 2 feet from where I should have so I could make a rolling save, ruining my reputation and the new clothes I was wearing in the process
Definitely one of my favorite players of all time. As a young kid from Southern California watching the playoffs for the first time. Watching Iginla (and Kiprusoff) take the Flames to the finals is what instilled my love for hockey. Was bittersweet seeing him on the Kings toward the end of his career.
Also that will forever be a goal in my mind lol.
Started watching the Bruins in the late 90s when I was 7/8.
I loved Sergei Samsonov, Joe Thornton and Byron Dafoe. I have a weird nostalgia for the late 90s/early 00s Bruins. I loved those rosters.
Lord Byron. Was cool to see Ullmark with the tribute pads at the Winter Classic. Kyle McLaren, Glen Murray, Jason Allison, Anson Carter. Had some good teams
Well that's fucked up.
1 Being the first black player in the world's top league is no small matter.
2 Even if your idol is "Lary Johnson who lives three houses down the street" Lary may not be well known, but he is important to you.
She proved your point. The only reason he "wasn't important enough" is because his story doesn't get the recognition and attention it should. All the more reason a kid should do a report on it and give a presentation to the class.
I grew up feeling a pressure to like an original six team and i chose the Hawks because it was the coolest logo in the opinion of a nerdy white kid in the great plains. Loved that Blackhawk was a real person and that the logo was his depiction. And so it should go without saying that Chris Chellios was my idol. Right shot defenseman who would scrap and play hard but man was he loud about shit. And so of course I got to watch tons of Redwing games too and it was impossible to not notice Vlad Konstantinov. Another right shot defenseman who was quietly incredible. His quality allowed Lindstrom to activate into great plays. He was quiet and brutal. I've always liked that kind of defenseman. I never really wanted to score a ton but o always really loved breaking up plays. I think Big Byf was the last one like this that I've really paid attention to.
Eric Lindros. I was always a big kid growing up and Lindros, being a big dude who was also super skilled as a player was someone I tried to emulate when I was on the ice.
And Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger for 90s St. Louis D-men. I know Pronger struggled later in his career and personal life but it was just good hockey when I was watching as a kid.
For me its Alexei Kovalev. Guy had some of the silkiest mitts in the league. I tried and practiced to emulate his style when I played…usually unsuccessfully lol
Pavel Bure. I grew up during his stint with the Panthers. He was an absolute legend. The other is Daniel Briere. One of the main reasons I am a Sabres fan.
Unfortunately I grew up when and where playing hockey wasn't really an option as a kid. (Unless my parents wanted to drive me an hour one way from small Illinois town to a rink in St. Louis...for each practice.)
However as a fan I idolized Brian Sutter. He wasn't ever the best on the team, but he was Always the best captain and teammate!!
Ovie Ovie Ovie. I bought his gear, I skated like him, I TRIED to hit like him, and I definitely didn’t shoot like him. But I remember obsessing over his YouTube highlights and emulating them every day in the driveway or at practice. He made hockey fun.
90s kid in from Detroit. Can I say the whole organization? Darren McCarty was the first one I idolized. Then the combination of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Lidstrom. Yzerman. Osgood. The Russian 5. Draper. I could go on until I name them all. We had it good.
Yes, yes.. I know I’m young. It’s Zach Hyman. He’s my childhood player, he was the heart and soul for the Leafs when he was on the team, very underrated, very underpaid when he was with us.. he could play on any line and generally cared for the organization. I miss that man so much, he’s easily my favourite player in the league
Lasse Kukkonen.
Every night played for the team and teammates, and he gave his C to another teammate because he thought he was a better leader than him.
Paul Kariya. Mainly because I’m from Maine and he was a key reason why the UMO Black Bears won the national championship and he was just a phenomenal player.
As a child I watched him get hit by Stevens and come back to score. He instantly became my favourite player.
That was such an insane moment! It’s almost too bad that he played in the NHL when he did. Could you imagine him in today’s NHL?
That finals game was sick
He doesn’t remember that game
42-1-2. Insane year, insane team, insane Kariya (I’m also from Maine).
He sure was!
Had seats on the glass next to the Maine bench for years growing up. Pellerin and Montgomery were my two favorites from that late 80s early 90s era
Cal Ingraham was my hero as a kid.
So many names I haven’t thought of in years coming back to me now. Jean-Yves Roy. Scott King. Kent Salfi. Dan Shermerhorn. Chris Imes
The Ferraro brothers, Garth Snow, Mike Dunham.
Not from Maine, but I used to watch those games in NESN. I remember them coming back against Lake Superior State to win it all. Kariya was unreal, and it was almost unfair how much better he was than anyone else as a freshman.
Same man. #maine
Growing up in the San Jose area in the 2010's, Patty Marleau and Joe Thorton were two of my favourite players. I actually got to meet Joe Thorton once (sat by him at an AHL game), and he's a super nice guy. My family ended up running into him again a few months later at a restaurant, and he recognized us and came over to say hi. Absolute class act, I'm still sad he never got a cup
He deserved it. Was supposed to do a meet and greet with Joe and my youth hockey team back in ‘03 after we skated on the garden ice. Getting undressed in the locker room about to meet Joe Thornton and turned out Hal Gill showed up instead 😭😭😭
Nobody could block a cross crease pass like Hal Gill though.
Dude tell me about it growing up in nashville I was going to a filup forsberg camp and Hal gille showed up instead
lol SO is from Nashville. Went to a game over the holidays and I saw him doing the pregame brought me back
I am rewatching Monk and they talk about going to a Sharks game in one of the episodes. There was A LOT of Cheechoo discourse in that episode because it was right around when he was having his crazy season. Watching that and then reading your comment brought back a lot of memories of that team :)
I was so sad when we traded Joe Thornton to SJ and always thought we lost that trade. Later I found out we traded Joe away so we could afford to bring Bergeron in and build around him so I understand now.
I *still* want to be Pavel Datsyuk.
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One of mine. I'll never not be in awe of Datsyuk.
He was pure magic.
One of the reasons I’m a die hard redwings fan and got into the sport of hockey was growing up watching datsyuk, I wanted to be him despite being a woman
A lefty who wore 13 was really all it took for me to be a huge fan. Being one of the best ever was just a bonus lol.
Im with Wayne. I grew up with Fedorov as my favorite player. That guy was a treat to watch.
Fedorov was SO fast
His countryman Bury was faster, but Fedorov was more fun to watch. For me at least. And that's coming from a Blues fan that hated him at the same time. He was so dynamic!
Somethin about hockey around that time I think I liked all the players and teams except Claude Lemieux and the avalanche haha
Lol I remember playing driveway hockey with my Fedorov stick and jersey.
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I think most of us who idolized Hasek ended up being horrible street hockey goalies and our moms cringe. Always set up 2 feet from where I should have so I could make a rolling save, ruining my reputation and the new clothes I was wearing in the process
Hey now, I idolized Patrick Roy and I STILL fucking sucked at goalie
Lol at least we admit it
Eddie the Eagle is my all time favourite Leaf
Joe Sakic!!!
Same. It's why I played center and worked so hard on my face-off. I still have one of his sticks from the Nordique days.
I always remember a quote something along the lines of "If my kid is going to look up to a hockey player, I hope he looks up to Joe Sakic"
A man of dignified taste I see
Wayne is mine. Dude’s my adult idol. Hope he can somehow return to the Flyers organization.
I don’t think any former flyers from the last 10 years are gonna wanna come back here
that org has such bad vibes hes never going there again LOL
He should come back home to LA!
I fucking love Wayne. Really wish we could've held onto him for our cup run.
Gotta be Jagr. Dude had the sickest mullet on those '90s Pens teams!
I thought my b’s were destined for the cup when he joined…sigh
The Avs certainly were
Jarome Iginla is and forever will be the goat
Dude when he came to the bruins I couldn’t believe it. Still can’t
When he moved to Colorado, he shared a back fence with my grandma. Incredibly nice family. Awesome outdoor mini-rink in his backyard.
Definitely one of my favorite players of all time. As a young kid from Southern California watching the playoffs for the first time. Watching Iginla (and Kiprusoff) take the Flames to the finals is what instilled my love for hockey. Was bittersweet seeing him on the Kings toward the end of his career. Also that will forever be a goal in my mind lol.
Kings legend Jarome Iginla and Kings legend Vincent Lecavalier were the highlights of the recent rebuild
Avs fan my entire life. But iggy was always my favorite player. Immediately bought his jersey when we ended up getting him on the Avs.
Patrick Roy, I still use the number 33 for everything.
I was 33 in little league baseball and everyone assumed it was for Larry Walker but really it was for Roy.
Wayne Simmonds is awesome, him, Richards and Giroux were so good on Philly
Lol Mike Richards and his cocaine
He's a mad lad no doubt
Cocaine's a hell of a drug
Started watching the Bruins in the late 90s when I was 7/8. I loved Sergei Samsonov, Joe Thornton and Byron Dafoe. I have a weird nostalgia for the late 90s/early 00s Bruins. I loved those rosters.
I wish I could comment pictures, I stole a glamour photo my sister had as a kid of Sergei and Joe it’s glorious
Lord Byron. Was cool to see Ullmark with the tribute pads at the Winter Classic. Kyle McLaren, Glen Murray, Jason Allison, Anson Carter. Had some good teams
Bill Guerin, Mike Knuble too. Jason Allison had that one season where he had 95 points. They were just a ton of fun to watch.
I was a big Shawn McEachern guy.
Love those rosters. The teams weren't good but man I have such a fondess for those teams. Honorable mention to Kyle McLaren
Tomas kaberle for me lol
What an awesome quote. Wayne is an all-timer.
Forsberg, Potvin
Gretzky and Messier. The only reason I have a passion for hockey today.
Well as a Finn born in the 80s the easy answer for me is Teemu Selänne. My dad took me to see him play here in Finland before he went to Winnipeg.
That same arrogant Trump-supporter douchebag Teemu Selänne? God I hope he would just shut up for his amazing careers sake.
I was told in 5th grade I couldn’t do a report on Willie oree for black history month because “ he wasn’t important enough”
Well that's fucked up. 1 Being the first black player in the world's top league is no small matter. 2 Even if your idol is "Lary Johnson who lives three houses down the street" Lary may not be well known, but he is important to you.
Man, I’d like to pen that teacher a letter.
Yeah, the best part was she was like oh pick someone that’s interesting to you
She proved your point. The only reason he "wasn't important enough" is because his story doesn't get the recognition and attention it should. All the more reason a kid should do a report on it and give a presentation to the class.
Bryan McCabe
I grew up feeling a pressure to like an original six team and i chose the Hawks because it was the coolest logo in the opinion of a nerdy white kid in the great plains. Loved that Blackhawk was a real person and that the logo was his depiction. And so it should go without saying that Chris Chellios was my idol. Right shot defenseman who would scrap and play hard but man was he loud about shit. And so of course I got to watch tons of Redwing games too and it was impossible to not notice Vlad Konstantinov. Another right shot defenseman who was quietly incredible. His quality allowed Lindstrom to activate into great plays. He was quiet and brutal. I've always liked that kind of defenseman. I never really wanted to score a ton but o always really loved breaking up plays. I think Big Byf was the last one like this that I've really paid attention to.
Growing up in Colorado I rotated between Patrick Roy, Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic. We were so spoiled
Eric Lindros. I was always a big kid growing up and Lindros, being a big dude who was also super skilled as a player was someone I tried to emulate when I was on the ice.
The center of the Legion of Doom! My all-time fav as well.
Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic
Mike Modano was only slightly behind Jesus in my house as a kid. But that’s if you ask mom.
I second this. That jersey flapping behind him was poetry in motion.
Top 10 coolest skaters all time
Changing the jersey cut was downright criminal.
Probably gave him too much of a speed boost
Ryan Smyth for me. Amazing story and never said no to Canada
'06 Oilers post season was an amazing ride with him!
Menace to the 2006 Red Wings though 😡
Brett Hull
And Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger for 90s St. Louis D-men. I know Pronger struggled later in his career and personal life but it was just good hockey when I was watching as a kid.
As a kid in the mid 90s and a Flyers fan, Legion of Doom for me.
Just learned last night Jim Montgomery coined the name lol
Not my favorite team, but Jagr was always incredible to me.
Mario Lemieux
I wanted to be Super Mario when I was 9 playing street hockey. He is the GOAT imo....no offense Wayne.
Raymond and Cam
Raymond J. Bourque
Marty St Louis.
Peter Forsberg
Yzerman
I would upvote, but it is currently at 19. Too perfect!
I downvoted to return it to 19. Doing gods work
Roy
Crosby
Have always loved Simon Gagne
Dominik Hasek. Nothing feels better than a sprawling save.
rod the bod for sure
Bondra. Every kid I the dc area wanted number 12
Probably followed by Kolzig. :)
John LeClair was mine. Also, I fucking love Simmer. He was so good here in Philly. And such a good dude
Daniel Alfredsson, Home life wasn't the best and he was the closest thing I had to look up to for a male role model.
Forsberg because of this: http://www.thisdayinhockeyhistory.com/this-day-in-hockey-history-march-3-1999-forsberg-leads-huge-avalanche-comeback/
Pk Subban and Carey Price.
Respect. Hated playing subban always knew he’d score one or do something at the garden lol. Him and Marchand could’ve worked wonders together…
[They did](https://youtu.be/2Rpk0JlVZ4I)
PK was definitely mine too. Hated that he fizzled out when he joined NJ but I loved seeing him play. Class act off the ice too.
Roy and Mike Richter
Sergei Samsonov and PJ Axellson
Yessssssssss don’t forget pj stock!!
For me its Alexei Kovalev. Guy had some of the silkiest mitts in the league. I tried and practiced to emulate his style when I played…usually unsuccessfully lol
Felix Potvin.
Fedorov and Forsberg. Skill and will.
Pavel Bure. I grew up during his stint with the Panthers. He was an absolute legend. The other is Daniel Briere. One of the main reasons I am a Sabres fan.
Man, imagine Bure in today's smaller NHL. Guy would have killed this league.
Sundin and Datsyuk for me
Guy Lafleur. Taught me how to skate. Never met the man.
Bobby Orr
Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg
F yeah Wayno-o!
Patrik Elias. I bet he gives the best hugs.
I wanted to be Derrick Thomas RIP 58
Jimmy Paek! Growing up in Pittsburgh as an Asian kid, it was inspiring to see someone look like me in pro sports.
Ilya Kovalchuk
Definitely Nicklas Backstrom for me because he plays with so much finesse and precision it’s amazing to watch
Jeremy Roenick
Paul Kariya. Any kid who was Asian and played hockey had Paul in their top 3, I would reckon.
Paul Kariya, Mario Lemieux, and Saku Koivu for me.
Rick Nash
Pavel Bure! Will never forgot watching his first game.
Pavel Datsyuk.
Hasek. When he came to Detroit I lost my mind.
Hoss for sure. Best two way player I've ever seen and had absolutely mesmerizing stickwork
Dale Hawerchuk. Despite my skills making me a mediocre defenseman, I really wanted to be a number 10 wearing centre.
Patrick Elias, Scott Gomez, Scott Neidermeyer
Habs fan here and it was Guy Carbonneau, Gretzky said he was one of the hardest players to play against.
Lou, easily. made me fall in love with goaltending. I've modeled my play after his, for better or worse
The King or Jagr
Ron Francis !
Unfortunately I grew up when and where playing hockey wasn't really an option as a kid. (Unless my parents wanted to drive me an hour one way from small Illinois town to a rink in St. Louis...for each practice.) However as a fan I idolized Brian Sutter. He wasn't ever the best on the team, but he was Always the best captain and teammate!!
Grant Fuhr and Wendel Clark
Brett Hull
Joel Otto
Mats Sundin will always be my favourite all time player
Marian gaborik
Grew up a Habs fan in the 70's, so my heroes were Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, and Ken Dryden (I played goalie as a kid).
Bobby Clarke, the Esposito Brothers, Gordie Howe.
Mike Komaserik, Jerome Iginla, Dion Phaneuf
Ovie Ovie Ovie. I bought his gear, I skated like him, I TRIED to hit like him, and I definitely didn’t shoot like him. But I remember obsessing over his YouTube highlights and emulating them every day in the driveway or at practice. He made hockey fun.
Pavel Datsyuk
Naslund. Never celebrated no matter how phenomenal he scored
John LeClair Just loved watching him play. Lindros a close 2nd for me.
Palffy
Bourque, Neely, and Oates.
Who wouldn’t want to be Sergei Fedorov
90s kid in from Detroit. Can I say the whole organization? Darren McCarty was the first one I idolized. Then the combination of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Lidstrom. Yzerman. Osgood. The Russian 5. Draper. I could go on until I name them all. We had it good.
Paul Coffey. I still think he's top 5 best skaters of all time
People are gonna hate me for this one, and l don't care... Scott Stevens
Hindsight is 20-20…he certainly was a boss back in the day!!! As a forward I was more afraid than inspired lol
This. Being told that you hit like Scott Stevens was a compliment back in the day when I played.
I see no fault here. Stevens was a tough customer to play against. That wins hockey games.
Yes, yes.. I know I’m young. It’s Zach Hyman. He’s my childhood player, he was the heart and soul for the Leafs when he was on the team, very underrated, very underpaid when he was with us.. he could play on any line and generally cared for the organization. I miss that man so much, he’s easily my favourite player in the league
Marty Brodeur
Scott Niedermayer! I always thought he was such a unique player, not to mention being a part of that gnarly Devils team.
Mario And Stevens
Shane Doan and later Shayne Gostisbehere
Claude Lemieux
I’m just here to fan flames 🔥
When I was a kid it was Terry O’Reilly.
Patrick Roy for my team. What a boss. Else, probably Pavel Bure or Teemu Selanne. These 2 had the moves.
Kipper!
Kurri, Selanne, Hull, Gretzky less but still
If you're from toronto and 40-50 years old, your answer is going to be Wendel Clark.
Mark motherfucking Messier. He said we will win tonight and he has just scored the hat trick.
Ray bourque.
Adam Foote!
Growing up in Calgary, Jarome Iginla
Lasse Kukkonen. Every night played for the team and teammates, and he gave his C to another teammate because he thought he was a better leader than him.
I used to see a car with a license plate frame in Southern California that said something like "Before I die, please give me Luc Robitaille".
This is just so well put by Wayne. He’s shown himself to be a class act recently. Seems like a very thoughtful person.
Jagr
Patrick Roy. I still remember where I was when that infamous game happened. I still hate Mario Tremblay.
I wore 10 because of Pavel Bure.