Highlighting an unsung hero: Jiri Hrdina

Jiri Hrdina

Season after season goes by in the National Hockey League. As a decade or two passes, players that were once household names, at least casually, are often long forgotten when their playing days end and new favorites quickly take their places in the daily conversations of the hometown fans. Though most of these players are not within the Hall of Fame, may never have been on an All-Star team, nor do they hold any league or team records, their accomplishments during their careers may in fact hail them as unsung heroes. Players who made a difference with the way that they played hockey, but have been overshadowed by the game's truly great players. Still, as unsung as they may be, they did make a difference.

Case in point is former Calgary Flame and Pittsburgh Penguin, Jiri Hrdina. During a time when only a handful of Czech-born players skated the NHL arenas of North-America, and certainly no Soviet-born players as of yet, Jiri Hrdina made his NHL debut at the age of 29 as one of the very few players in Western-hemisphere hockey to hail from the Eastern-bloc. This was still a short time before the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Dominik Hasek, Petr Nedved and a larger influx of players from Czechoslovakia (later to be separate countries of Czech Republic and Slovakia) would make their country a breeding ground for highly talented hockey superstars who would run rampant in the NHL on an ongoing basis. Jiri Hrdina would join the NHL and the Calgary Flames during the 1987-88 season.

Born in one of the World's most beautiful and most remarkable cities, Prague in the former Czechoslovakia, Hrdina's successes in the NHL in a relatively short career are remarkable in and of themselves. After debuting with the Flames for a mere nine games in '87-'88, in which he scored 2-goals and added 5-assists for 7-points (along with 1-playoff game that year as well), Hrdina would only play in four full NHL seasons from 1988 through 1992. In three of those four seasons though, Hrdina would win Stanley Cup Championships. There is likely no other player in NHL history with a better percentage of championships compared to the number of seasons played. Yet there is little to no mention of Hrdina's noteworthy accomplishment amongst hockey circles these days.

Hrdina was a very solid two-way player throughout his career. As a versatile centerman, Hrdina excelled in his own end of the ice and also contributed offensively against the opposition. Coming to the NHL at 29, Hrdina's best years were likely spent while still playing in his homeland and playing on the international stage. While with Team Czechoslovakia in 1984, Hrdina helped lead his team to a Silver Medal at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics. Likewise, Hrdina medaled with Team Czechoslovakia on five separate occasions at the World Championships of hockey, winning gold in 1985, a silver in 1982 and 1983, and bronze medals in 1987 and 1990. By the time Hrdina made the jump to North-America he was already a very well accomplished and decorated hockey player.

Hrdina playing with Calgary Flames
Alumni during the Heritage Classic.

With his track record of Stanley Cup championships, Hrdina's success with winning obviously continued throughout his career in the NHL. Hrdina's finest season came during the Calgary Flames' championship season of 1988-89. This would be Hrdina's first full season in the NHL and he registered 22-goals, 32-assists for 54-points in 70-regular season games; a fine performance for a first full season in the league. Though Hrdina was certainly instrumental in bringing the Stanley Cup to Calgary, his contributions are much in the backdrop when considering that Hockey Hall of Fame players Lanny McDonald, Doug Gilmour, Al MacInnis, Joe Mullen and Joe Nieuwendyk were members in the forefront of that championship team, along with all-star players Theoren Fleury, Brad McCrimmon, Gary Roberts, Gary Suter, Mike Vernon, Hakan Loob and Rob Ramage. With so many big names and so much talent on one hockey club, it is not really surprising that Hrdina's contributions to that championship team were overlooked.

The 1989-90 NHL season would be the one season in which Hrdina did not win a Stanley Cup in his NHL career. Statistically, it would be his second-best season though, notching 12-goals and 30-points in 64-regular season games. While this Calgary Flames team was mostly comprised of the same players and staff from their championship team of the season prior, they would fail to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions, losing in 6-games in the first-round of the playoffs to Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings.

The next and final two seasons of Hrdina's career would bring him two more Stanley Cup championships, though this time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In December 1990, Hrdina would be traded from Calgary to Pittsburgh for tough-guy defenseman Jim Kyte. Considering Hrdina's skill and winning experience the deal was rather lopsided in more ways than one. In Pittsburgh Hrdina would find himself on the third or fourth line used mostly in a limited role, for like the Flames, the Penguins were laden with a vast array of talent including one of hockey's greatest players ever Mario Lemieux, along with an additional mix of Hall-of-Famers, future Hall-of-Famers, and other all-star players like Jaromir Jagr, Kevin Stevens, Tom Barrasso, Ron Francis, Bryan Trottier, Mark Recchi, Paul Coffey, Larry Murphy and former teammate Joe Mullen.



Jiri Hrdina with the Pittsburgh Penguins -
brought in to tutor fellow countryman and
18-year old Jaromir Jagr.



Again, it is not any real wonder that Hrdina would be forgotten amongst a group of this calibre. However, at least one person would not forget Hrdina's impact on the team, as fellow Czech and upcoming superstar Jaromir Jagr would greatly benefit from his fellow countryman's guidance and tutelage during his rookie season in the NHL. At the time, Jagr was only 18-years old, and Hrdina, having lived in and played in North-America for a few seasons longer and being over 10-years Jagr's senior, would prove to be quite instrumental for adjusting the young Czech superstar to the NHL-brand of hockey, life in North-America and adopting the English language. Hrdina and Jagr would be nicknamed the "Czechmates"and suffice it to say that at least some of Jagr's outstanding success in hockey both globally and in the NHL can be attributed to Hrdina and the mentoring he provided during their two seasons in Pittsburgh together. The Penguins would go on to defeat the Minnesota North Stars in six-games of the Stanley Cup Finals that first season in Pittsburgh. Hrdina saw limited action in the Finals, only appearing in Game-3, but he played in 14 of Pittsburgh's 24-playoff games that season, record 2-goals and 2-assists in that stretch. Jagr would play in all 24-playoff games, registering 3-goals and 10-assists.

The 1991-92 season would be Jiri Hrdina's last in the NHL and would also see the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions, this time defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in four straight games. Hrdina would get his name enscribed on the Stanley Cup for the third and final time. He would also appear in all 21-games of the Penguins playoff run that season, picking up 2-assists along the way. Meanwhile, his "student" Jagr would become the youngest player in NHL history to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Finals at 20-years old, finishing the playoffs with 24-points in the 21-playoff games, and well on his way to super-stardom in the NHL. Hrdina would retire in 1992 after this last championship.

These days Hrdina busies himself as an amateur scout with the Dallas Stars. Though his playing days may be behind him, there are few players more celebrated as a champion than Jiri Hrdina. And while he was greatly "unsung" as a player perhaps mainly due to the fact that he was buried by a long list of some of the greatest players to ever play the game who happened to be his teammates, attention must be paid to the fact that he became a champion so frequently across such a short period of time. For his achievements and perenial championships, Jiri Hrdina should not be forgotten.

Islanders are oldies but goodies

After voters in Nassau County nixed the so-called "Lighthouse Project" which proposed to provide the NewYork Islanders with a completely renovated, competitive hockey arena as devised by team owner Charles Wang, the future of the Islanders and their existence on Long Island remains very uncertain. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is currently the second-oldest arena in the NHL and also the second-smallest; it has been home to the Isles ever since their inaugural season in 1972. To say that it has seen better days is a major understatement, and with such dank and dilapidated confines the Islanders are decades behind the rest of their NHL competition when it comes to adequate facilities for their players, staff, organization and especially their fans. And though there is no certainty of what shall become of one of hockey's most storied franchises when their lease is up in 2015, or whether there is enough bubblegum and patchwork in the meantime to keep the anciet arena together, the Islanders have endeavored to put a competitive hockey club together by becoming a haven for grizzled veterans who can impart knowledge into the Isles young stars before they finally do decide to call it quits on their playing careers.

Upcoming star John Tavares is one of the Islanders'
many youngsters who will benefit from the presence of
so many veterans on the club's roster.

The 2011-12 New York Islanders have eight players who are 33-years of age or older. Even the Detroit Red Wings, who often regarded as having one of the largest collections of players past middle-age in hockey years do not have as many players that age and above. One could argue that the Islanders are merely trying to take the cheap way out by signing players who are on their last legs but have recognizable names and can be gotten at a bargain-price because their skills have diminished and they have lost a step or two over the years and do not really fit into another team's plans. Whether that is truly the case or not I cannot say for certain, but I recognize the fact that the Isles also have an array of young talent in the likes of 2009 first overall draft-pick and upcoming star John Tavares, 2011 Rookie of the Year finalist Michael Grabner, as well as other talented twentysomethings Matt Moulson, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, PA Parenteau and Andrew MacDonald. These youngsters are in fact the future of the Islanders, whatever may come of the team, and they can benefit immensely from players who have been around the block a few times.

Jay Pandolfo

Two of the Islanders veterans are former Stanley Cup champions. American-born Jay Pandolfo, 36-years old, is a rugged winger who has spent most of his career as a third or fourth-liner, a role player who has always been a solid penalty-killer. Pandolfo is the kind of player who doesn't draw a lot of attention but who works as hard as anybody and does the dirty-work in the corners and along the boards. Pandolfo won Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils in 2000 and 2003, and he has also been a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive-forward, as well as having served as an alternate captain while with the Devils on more than one occasion. In all, Jay Pandolfo is a veteran of over 800-games in his career and played an integral role with the great teams that the Devils had during the late-90s and early-2000s.

Brian Rolston

Similar to Pandolfo, another Islanders veteran, 38-year old Brian Rolston, was a Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils back in 1995. But unlike Pandolfo who has never possessed much of a scoring touch, Brian Rolston is one of those players who is a complete player in every way, shape and form. Rolston can play the power-play, he can penalty-kill, he puts the puck in the net, he forechecks, he backchecks, he is a leader and consumate teammate - he does it all. If there is one player who will most benefit the younger regime of the New York Islanders, it is Brian Rolston. Capable of playing all three forward positions, Rolston also possesses good size at 6'2" and 214lbs. Rolston has represented Team USA at three separate Olympics, winning the Silver Medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. And even at 38, Rolston can still contribute offensively having netted well over 300-goals in his career, including 33 shorthanded goals as well.

Evgeni Nabokov

Arguably the most talented New York Islander veteran was initially resistant to becoming an Islander in the first place. 36-year old two-time NHL All-Star goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov was not happy when the Islanders claimed him from the Detroit Red Wings off of waivers in January of 2011, and refused to report to the team. The Islanders would suspend Nabokov for the remainder of the 2010-11 season for his failure to report. Putting their initial differences aside, Nabokov would report to Islanders training camp in the Summer of 2011, and is the Islanders top netminder here in the early stages of the 2011-12 season. Like Rolston, Evgeni Nabokov is a former Olympian, having represented Team Russia for both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. Nabokov also backstopped Team Russia for the World Championships of Hockey in 2008 and 2011, winning the Gold Medal in 2008. Prior to joining the Islanders, Evgeni Nabokov spent the entire 10-years of his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks, and holds practically all of the Sharks goaltending records, including most games played, wins and shutouts. In 2010, Nabokov became only the second goaltender to ever record three straight seasons of 40-wins or more in the NHL.

Mark Streit

The Islanders' top defenseman is also their team captain, 33-year old Swiss defenseman Mark Streit. Prior to the start of the 2011-12 season, Streit became the first ever Swiss hockey player to be named captain of an NHL team. Streit also has the dubious honor of being one of the most underrated players in all of hockey as he is a top-notch defenseman who could serve as a number one defenseman on any NHL team, but does not garner much attention likely because he plays for the New York Islanders. Streit is also a former Olympian, having played for Team Switzerland at both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. Streit has hit double-digits in goals from the blueline in each of the past four seasons, and has registered seasons of 62, 56 and 49 points the past three years.

The other elder statesmen on the Island include 34-year old center Marty Reasoner, 38-year old Steve Staios who is capable of playing both forward or defense, and defensemen Mike Mottau and Mark Eaton who are 33 and 34 years old respectively. Each of whom are journeymen who have been around the league for a long time and have filled the role of a steadying and solidifying presence on any team that they have played for.

Perhaps Long Island has become a place for NHL veterans to be put out to pasture, but I doubt it. Each of these players still have something left in the tank (Mark Streit is at the top of his game and gives no signs of slowing down, while Nabokov has a solid .927 save-percentage in 4 games this season), and they can at least ensure that the New York Islanders will be competitive and given the respect that they deserve each night. And while the question still remains of what will eventually become of New York's future on the Island, they can rest assured that these veterans will impart to the younger generation knowledge and skills that they can carry with them either in the years ahead on Long Island, or wherever the franchise will eventually settle when the tired confines of Nassau Coliseum can longer be called home.

The need for Sean Avery

Sean Avery

The start of this still very early NHL season was a rollercoaster ride for one of the most despised players in hockey, Sean Avery of the New York Rangers. On October 4th, 2011, Avery had been waived by the Rangers, due mainly to his lack of offensive production during the preseason and for the fact that New York has an abundance of better talented and younger players than Sean Avery. Upon clearing waivers and not being picked by another team, Avery was subsequently assigned to the Rangers' AHL affiliate the Connecticut Whale. This demotion of Avery irked me at the time, but more on that later.

After an injury was sustained to Rangers tough-guy Mike Rupp, New York felt the need of Avery's services and thus called him back up from Connecticut to join the club. Similar to Rupp, though much less physically imposing, Sean Avery can play rough, in-your-face hockey. Avery was called-up on Halloween (October 31st), and after clearing re-entry waivers he would join New York in time for November 3rd game against the Anaheim Ducks (Avery ended up being a healthy-scratch for the game).

I make no excuses for Sean Avery's
ill-behavior.

I will clearly state that I for one am very happy that Sean Avery is back in the NHL. I am referring to Sean Avery the player not Sean Avery the person, though probably for many there really is no difference. The drama he has created at the expense of his teammates, his coaches, the NHL and the fans is inexcusable and of poor taste. The inappropriate derogatory comments he made about his former girlfriends, the poor remarks he directed towards French-Canadian players, his run-ins with the police, his unecessary behavior directed at fans, etc. - all of it is embarrassing, asinine and has no place in the game of hockey. I make no excuses for Sean Avery on this level and I try to disassociate this behavior with his play on the ice.

Stating that, I think that the New York Rangers, or any NHL team for that matter, need Sean Avery, or "a Sean Avery". There is no questioning the effectiveness of Avery's style of play. Avery is likely the most effective pest and agitator in the game today, and arguably one of the best ever. He gets under the opponents skin with the greatest of ease, and gets their minds out of the game and on Avery instead.

Prime example: Sean Avery's shadowing of superstar Ilya Kovalchuk during the 2007 NHL playoffs when Kovalchuk was still with the Atlanta Thrashers and Avery joined the Rangers in February of that season after a trade from Los Angeles. Kovalchuk, maybe the best pure goal-scorer in the game right now, notched 42-goals that season for Atlanta, but saw himself and the Thrashers eliminated in 4 straight games against the Rangers in the 1st-round of the playoffs. In that series, Kovalchuk was limited to just 1-goal and 1-assist in the 4 games, but registered 19-minutes in penalties; most of which included time in the box for going after Avery who was a thorn in Kovalchuk's side all series long. Sean Avery had shutdown one of the best players in the world and took him completely off of his game. To this day there is still no love lost between Avery and Kovalchuk.

And history has proven time and time again that pests and agitators like Sean Avery can help win Stanley Cups. Perhaps the most prolific champion of all-time amongst pests and agitators is Esa Tikkanen who won five Stanley Cups in his career, four with the Edmonton Oilers and one with the New York Rangers. Tikkanen was notorious for getting under opponents' skin while using his insesent "Tikkanese" talk, Tikkanen's own wild combination of Finnish and English, which was enough to madden the opposition. When another team's player took exception to Tikkanen's play and antics, he would torment them further with the question, "How many Cups you got?", referring to all of the championships he had won while the other player likely had not won any.

Another prime example is the first player to garner the title "The Rat", Kenny Linseman. Since Linseman retired in the early-1990s, that nickname has been used too generously with other pestering players (i.e. Matthew Barnaby) but for longtime hockey enthusiasts Ken Linseman will always be the true "Rat". Linseman also won a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1984 and appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals on three other separate occasions (1980, 1983, 1988).

Sean Avery has a official rule
nicknamed after him.

And as Tikkanen's and Linseman's names will forever be enscribed upon Lord Stanley's Cup, Avery in his own bizarre way will forever being embedded into the NHL records and annals, particularly the NHL rule book. During the 2008 NHL playoffs when Avery's Rangers squared-off against crosstown rivals the New Jersey Devils, Avery did everything amongst his vast array of annoyances to pester and agitate the Devils players, but especially future hall of fame goaltender, Martin Brodeur. During one contest in the series while the Rangers were on the power play with a two-advantage, Avery, who was already in front of the Devils net screening Brodeur, intentionally turned his back on the play and began to wave his hands and stick in front of Brodeur's face in an effort to distract and exasperate the nerminder. Avery would eventually be the one to score the power-play goal against the Devils later during the sequence. Many felt that Avery's antics were unsportsmanlike and uncalled for. But no one could question their effectiveness, as the Rangers would go onto win the series 4 games to 1. During the traditional handshake between the two teams at the end of the series, Martin Brodeur actually refused to shake Sean Avery's hand.

Though at the time when Avery employed this particular tactic there was not any explicit violation of the rules, many hockey experts still felt that Avery's method of screening was in fact unsportsmanlike and should not be allowed. The day following the game when this took place, the NHL issued an interpretation of the unsportmanlike conduct rules which stated that it was an illegal play for a player to intentionally turn his back on the play while screening a goaltender, and that the player's focus must be directed towards the play at all times. This interpretation of the rules was dubbed "The Sean Avery Rule".

Make no mistake, Avery does possess other talents that coincide with his knack for antagonism. Avery is actually fairly accomplished in winning face-offs. And though his offensive skills have diminished with age, Avery has hit double-digits in goals on four separate occasions, including his highest output of 18-goals during the 2006-07 season, all the while racking up over 1500-penalty-minutes. Sean Avery also has on his career 15-points in 28 playoff games, which is not too shabby for a player who has spent most of his time on the third or fourth-lines. During the same 2008 playoffs aforementioned, Avery registered 7-points in only 8 games. Avery brings more to the table than just spunk and diarrhea of the mouth.

The New York Rangers of 2011-12 are a team leiden with talent. And suffice it to say that perennial pests can play integral roles in highly talented hockey teams becoming champions, as Tikkanen and Linseman did. While already possessing the likes of top-notch talent in Marian Gaborik, Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, Michael Del Zotto, and the offseason blockbuster acquisition of Brad Richards, the New York Rangers need to blend in various role players that can them a unique advantage over the opposition, the way that agitators and enforcers able to do. There is perhaps no other player in the League more unique than Sean Avery, and he has the capability of playing a role that can change the outcome of a hockey game or series and help his team to win.