With the NHL's recent change to the rules regarding roster status and ASG eligibility, it would seem a John Scott sort of scenario is impossible for the 2016-17 season and beyond.
However, regardless of what you felt about last year's push to elect the eventual All-Star MVP, there are still numerous players around the league who deserve recognition as underdogs, leaders and all-around unappreciated talents. They, too, have a place at fan events like the All-Star Game/Tournament, and deserve recognition as much as any flashy offensive talent.
Matt Hendricks is one of those unsung heroes, and I believe his time has come.
The Story
Beginning as a teenager when he was not only captain of his high school hockey club but also quarterback of the football team and an all-star catcher in baseball, Matt Hendricks has consistently been a leader everywhere he's played.
An NCAA grad who fought to go from the ECHL to the best league in the world, Hendricks went unsigned after being a 3rd round draft choice and didn't make the NHL full-time until he was already 28 years old. He stuck with the game of hockey- not because it was making him rich, not because he was a superstar; no, Hendricks simply loved the sport, and preserved over numerous injuries, trades and changes in role to become an indispensable if not especially glamorous NHL player.
Over his career, Hendricks has sacrificed his body innumerable times- even when games are out of reach, as we've seen happen multiple times during his tenure in Edmonton. I mean, who can forget this photo?
All throughout, Hendricks has never given less than a complete effort, and spent as much time mentoring up-and-coming stars as he has stifling those on other teams.
The Man
However, lest one think this is another John Scott gimmick, keep in mind that Hendricks' tremendous character and leadership qualities were a large part of the reason why he not only made Team USA at the 2015 World Championships but served as their captain. He was again Captain of the 2016 squad, helping the team to another Bronze Medal Game appearance. Clearly, we would not be alone as a fanbase in recognizing what he means to not only his team but his teammates.
In fact, during his career, Hendricks has drawn the sort of praise usually only reserved for stars:
That same dedication is apparent in how Hendricks has approached his Oilers career. When asked whether he would consider a trade deadline move to a contender last season, he had this to say:
Clearly, this is someone who not only loves his country, but his team- no matter who he plays for or what jersey he wears.
The Causes
Beyond the ice, Hendricks is active not only in the local community but across the hockey world as a whole; he serves as an Ambassador and member of the Board of Directors for the United Heroes League, helping to raise over $3 million dollars in equipment, tickets, grants, and summer camps for the children of military members across the US and Canada. In Nashville and Washington, Hendricks ran "Hendy's Heroes", an off-shoot of the UHL that helped military families attend games for free.
But not content to help servicemen and women just in North America, Hendricks went overseas trip during the 2012-13 NHL lockout to entertain the troops in like Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Middle East and Germany.
For his efforts, Hendricks has been a Masterton nominee; however, he is far more deserving of recognition- leading to...
The Vote
While we don't have to worry about Connor McDavid earning a spot at the ASG, Hendricks will not get into the event without our help. This is an opportunity to reward a man who has worked sacrificed his body and time in every market he's played to make a difference not only on the ice but off it. I can't think of a better choice to represent the spirit of not only our province but our city.
If you agree, simply use your ten ballots each day to write Hendricks in at the below link:
https://www.nhl.com/all-star-ballot
Let's get Matt Hendricks into the All-Star Game and show him what our team- and our sport- is all about!
However, regardless of what you felt about last year's push to elect the eventual All-Star MVP, there are still numerous players around the league who deserve recognition as underdogs, leaders and all-around unappreciated talents. They, too, have a place at fan events like the All-Star Game/Tournament, and deserve recognition as much as any flashy offensive talent.
Matt Hendricks is one of those unsung heroes, and I believe his time has come.
The Story
Beginning as a teenager when he was not only captain of his high school hockey club but also quarterback of the football team and an all-star catcher in baseball, Matt Hendricks has consistently been a leader everywhere he's played.
An NCAA grad who fought to go from the ECHL to the best league in the world, Hendricks went unsigned after being a 3rd round draft choice and didn't make the NHL full-time until he was already 28 years old. He stuck with the game of hockey- not because it was making him rich, not because he was a superstar; no, Hendricks simply loved the sport, and preserved over numerous injuries, trades and changes in role to become an indispensable if not especially glamorous NHL player.
Over his career, Hendricks has sacrificed his body innumerable times- even when games are out of reach, as we've seen happen multiple times during his tenure in Edmonton. I mean, who can forget this photo?
All throughout, Hendricks has never given less than a complete effort, and spent as much time mentoring up-and-coming stars as he has stifling those on other teams.
The Man
However, lest one think this is another John Scott gimmick, keep in mind that Hendricks' tremendous character and leadership qualities were a large part of the reason why he not only made Team USA at the 2015 World Championships but served as their captain. He was again Captain of the 2016 squad, helping the team to another Bronze Medal Game appearance. Clearly, we would not be alone as a fanbase in recognizing what he means to not only his team but his teammates.
In fact, during his career, Hendricks has drawn the sort of praise usually only reserved for stars:
Todd Richards said:
Torey Krug said:
That same dedication is apparent in how Hendricks has approached his Oilers career. When asked whether he would consider a trade deadline move to a contender last season, he had this to say:
Matt Hendricks said:
Clearly, this is someone who not only loves his country, but his team- no matter who he plays for or what jersey he wears.
The Causes
Beyond the ice, Hendricks is active not only in the local community but across the hockey world as a whole; he serves as an Ambassador and member of the Board of Directors for the United Heroes League, helping to raise over $3 million dollars in equipment, tickets, grants, and summer camps for the children of military members across the US and Canada. In Nashville and Washington, Hendricks ran "Hendy's Heroes", an off-shoot of the UHL that helped military families attend games for free.
But not content to help servicemen and women just in North America, Hendricks went overseas trip during the 2012-13 NHL lockout to entertain the troops in like Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Middle East and Germany.
For his efforts, Hendricks has been a Masterton nominee; however, he is far more deserving of recognition- leading to...
The Vote
While we don't have to worry about Connor McDavid earning a spot at the ASG, Hendricks will not get into the event without our help. This is an opportunity to reward a man who has worked sacrificed his body and time in every market he's played to make a difference not only on the ice but off it. I can't think of a better choice to represent the spirit of not only our province but our city.
If you agree, simply use your ten ballots each day to write Hendricks in at the below link:
https://www.nhl.com/all-star-ballot
Let's get Matt Hendricks into the All-Star Game and show him what our team- and our sport- is all about!
