AhoLottaLove
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2010
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- 947
Has a "soft" player ever toughened up and played hard?
- Thread starter AhoLottaLove
- Start date
Not often you either have it or ya don't. But I think a lot of non players don't understand how tough of a game this is. Even the perceived softies are tough. It can happen though.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
It happens with many "soft" players as they get more experienced, but it's hard to shake a reputation.
Of course, the opposite can also happen. Some kid comes into the league throwing the body at everybody, and a few years later he's learned that he needs to dial it back if he wants to play past 30.
Of course, the opposite can also happen. Some kid comes into the league throwing the body at everybody, and a few years later he's learned that he needs to dial it back if he wants to play past 30.
MattMartin
Killer Instinct™
Wasn't Yzerman considered a soft player who could only perform in the regular season and a terrible leader for years?
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Yes he was. Modano was another who started soft and developed a bit of grit as he got older.
Nibbler
Registered User
I think people just get angrier as they age, so naturally a player will get tougher as they get older. At least that's my experience, I'm turning into an angry old man 
hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
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HockeyThoughts
Delivering The Truth
waffledave
waffledave, from hf
Miamipuck
Al Swearengen
I think people just get angrier as they age, so naturally a player will get tougher as they get older. At least that's my experience, I'm turning into an angry old man
This, lol.
Sheppy
Registered User
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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How about Matt Stajan? He was always like this weak little guy who got knocked around but somehow has managed to hang tough and eke out a very long if not unremarkable NHL career as a jack of all trades utility guy.
Anton Stralman also seems to have toughened up from being this frail skill defenseman who could occasionally lay out a big random hit to a pretty savvy, grizzled playoff workhorse.
Anton Stralman also seems to have toughened up from being this frail skill defenseman who could occasionally lay out a big random hit to a pretty savvy, grizzled playoff workhorse.
trentmccleary
Registered User
Jeremy Roenick interview paraphrased
"I came out of the U.S. Hockey route with little to no physical play in the league's we played in, then went to the offensively oriented QMJHL with little physical play. I was in an exhibition game with the Blackhawks and skated around a hit. I went back to the bench and sat down. Keenan stormed over, grabbed me by the collar and yelled at me never to do that again or I'd never play in the NHL. I was 18yo and almost started crying. I started laying hits and the people cheered, the bigger-the better. I kept doing it because I started to love doing it."
"I came out of the U.S. Hockey route with little to no physical play in the league's we played in, then went to the offensively oriented QMJHL with little physical play. I was in an exhibition game with the Blackhawks and skated around a hit. I went back to the bench and sat down. Keenan stormed over, grabbed me by the collar and yelled at me never to do that again or I'd never play in the NHL. I was 18yo and almost started crying. I started laying hits and the people cheered, the bigger-the better. I kept doing it because I started to love doing it."
Volodya Krutov
Lost Cosmonaut
- Jan 18, 2012
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lol the love story between Keenan and Roenick... Off topic but such a great read.
Mike Keenan the NHL's last great ass**** coach
Mike Keenan the NHL's last great ass**** coach
Kobe Armstrong
Registered User
- Jul 26, 2011
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