Top 12 Veteran Players in the National Hockey League at the moment –Part 5
Without a doubt, age does not forgive anyone, but when discussing some of the players we have in the previous parts, it looks like age has forgiven but a few.
With their abilities to still knockout a 22-year-old during his peak performance, these veteran players are all about keeping it physical out on the ice, which in the end keeps their blood pumping and veins throbbing with energy.
Some players would hope to return to their youth to experience energy and activeness, but others hope to keep on getting better with the passage of time. Changing teams is not an issue for most veterans on this list, as long as their free to play their natural
game and continue to tear up the scene.
9. Chris Pronger (Defenseman, Philadelphia Flyers)
A perfect example of tearing up the scene is Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers 36-year-old defenseman, who loves to play physically as much as a human body can deem possible.
The Dryden, Ontario,Canada native registered 44 penalty minute points last season due to injuries, which might not be a lot from previous seasons where he has put up triple digit numbers on various occasions, but they were still impressive performances.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 220lbs, Pronger is more like a free running train which bashes into anything that comes in its way, a feature which Philadelphia Flyers absolutely love.
Not only does Chris Pronger play physical, the former second overall pick in the 1993 National Hockey League (NHL) also knows how to score. Limited to playing only 50 games last season, Pronger still put up 25 points (4 goals, 21 assists), while finishing
with a plus-minus rating of 7.
He has played 1,154 games in the major league and surprisingly has put up a lot more penalty numbers (1,580), confirming his competitive nature.
10. Andrew Brunette (Forward, Chicago Blackhawks)
Having played with five different teams during his 15 season career in the NHL, Andrew Brunette will most likely easily adjust with his new team, Chicago Blackhawks, which acquired him during the offseason, when the new season starts.
Still remaining consistent, Brunette potted 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) in all 82-games last season, which was his seventh full season during the last eight.
Picked as the 174th overall pick, during round-seven of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by Washington, Brunette never seems to disappoint and continues to easily move around the league.
During his sixth season with Minnesota Wild, and third consecutive, Andrew Brunette remained third highest ranked on the team for his contribution, ahead of nearly all of the younger players who have highly benefitted due to him just being amongst them.
Brunette being in-demand can easily be observed by him signing on with an interested Chicago Blackhawks club during the first day of the 2011 NHL free agency as he became an unrestricted free agent.
Chicago hopes that signing on a player with the experience and talent of Andrew Brunette will not only give their rookie players guidance, but could potentially help their quest for another Stanley Cup in two years.
The native of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, just might perform much better than expected, which could be the direct result of joining a new franchise and playing in a different environment, which at Brunette’s age, is never a bad thing.
To be continued in part 6.....
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