I remember reading a while back that after about 450 NHL games, you qualify for an NHL pensions. I was wondering how much that was. Anyone know?
I think the magic number is 400. If you hit 400, you become eligable for a huge lump sum payout (on top of your regular NHL pension). Years ago the lump sum was $250,000.00 - that number might have gone up by now.
A few years ago, talking to a former NHL player (I won't use his name), who had a great start to his career, and then sort of ended up back and forth playing in the NHL and the farm - anyway I asked him what his most memorable game was in his NHL career, and he flat out said, "playing my 400th game!"
I guess it would be no big deal for the big $$ players, but for the plumbers and the fringe players it would be a big deal.