Not Slowing Down: The Best Players Over 35
Age has become simply a number in the National Hockey League as medicine and training has allowed athletes to play at competitive levels for much longer than previously imaginable. In honour of these players, here are the NHL’s best players over the age of 35.
Martin Brodeur: Brodeur is already the winningest goaltender the NHL has ever seen, and the 38-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down. Given last season’s production, Brodeur’s stranglehold on the record books seems certain. Despite his age, Brodeur started in 77 games for the New Jersey Devils and led the League in minutes played, wins, and shut-outs. Brodeur has 602 wins as of now and could realistically hope for 650 at next season’s end.
Chris Pronger: Even though he is 35, Pronger remains one of the NHL’s highest calibre defensemen. Last season he had 10 goals and a total of 55 points, making him one of the League’s top blue-line producers. Pronger’s hard-nosed defensive play was essential to the Philadelphia Flyers’ surprising Stanley Cup Finals run. Had they been successful, Pronger would have most likely won the Conn Smythe trophy for play-off MVP after his heroic efforts.
Nicklas Lidstrom: Lidstrom is 40 years old and also managed 40 assists last season. He is a key distributor for the Detroit Red Wings and has consistently been one of the best passing defenders in all of hockey. Lidstrom will be returning to Detroit for at least another season and now that the roster is healthy, Lidstrom will be a part of a very serious contender.
Martin St. Louis: St. Louis is so impressive that newly minted Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman signed him to a 4-year extension immediately after taking office. It’s not often that 35-year-old professional athletes get contracts of such length, but St. Louis’s numbers merit the deal. Last season the winger had 94 points, with 29 goals. If Yzerman provides St. Louis with more tools, he could be the leader on a very strong franchise.
Daniel Alfredsson: Alfredsson will be turning 38 during this season and will also be seeking to join the exclusive 1,000 point club. The Ottawa Senators captain currently has 992, and given his production of a point per game last season he should have no issues reaching 1,000 early in the year. Alfredsson has spent 14 seasons on the Senators and owns almost every franchise scoring record and will do so for quite some time.
Andrew Brunette: Brunette plays a simple yet effective style of hockey. He is never flashy but always productive. Although Brunette is turning 37 in August, he still tied for the most goals on the Minnesota Wild last season and had his best season since 2006-07. Brunette can play nearly any role required of him and looks to have the abilities to put up another 60-point season.
Ray Whitney: Unlike most of the other players on this list, Whitney’s talent did not seem to emerge until after he entered the point where most athletes’ careers dwindle. He did not have a 20-goal season until he was 26, but the 38-year-old actually has three consecutive seasons with over 20 goals since he turned 35.
Dwayne Roloson: Roloson is turning 41 despite the misfortune of being the stopping pad for the unbelievable amount of shots that his New York Islanders give up regularly. Roloson was the reason behind the Isles’ improvements last season and often had unbelievable performances in net. He even may have had the best individual goaltending game of all of last season, with 58 saves in a 4-3 overtime Islanders victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs
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