While Alumni games aren’t for everyone – see this post from our own contributor Ryan Lambert – I happen to think they can be a pretty cool thing.
This year’s Winter Classic Alumni game is likely the most interesting yet, with the Philadelphia Flyers bringing the thunder with a roster of stars, and the Rangers bringing a pretty darn good answer.
While there are a few noticeable names missing, that’s to be expected.
FLYERS ALUMNI ROSTER RANGERS ALUMNI ROSTER
Bill Barber Glenn Anderson
Terry Carkner Dan Blackburn
Bob Clarke Paul Broten
Eric Desjardins Ron Duguay
Jim Dowd Nick Fotiu
Larry Goodenough Mike Gartner
Derian Hatcher Adam Graves
Al Hill Ron Greschner
Mark Howe Pat Hickey
Bob Kelly Darius Kasparaitis
Orest Kindrachuk Kris King
Mark LaForest Nick Kypreos
John LeClair Tom Laidlaw
Reggie Leach Darren Langdon
Eric Lindros Brian Leetch
Ken Linseman Dave Maloney
Neil Little Stephane Matteau
Brad Marsh Brian Mullen
Shjon Podein Dale Purinton
Dave Poulin Mathieu Schneider
Brian Propp Darren Turcotte
Mark Recchi John Vanbiesbrouck
Jeremy Roenick
Kjell Samuelsson COACHING STAFF
Chris Therien Mike Keenan
Rick Tocchet Emile Francis
Joe Watson Colin Campbell
COACHING STAFF OFF-ICE AMBASSADORS
Pat Quinn Rod Gilbert
Mike Nykoluk Eddie Giacomin
Keith Primeau Harry Howell
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My Dad plays in a number of alumni games every winter, and I’ve spent some time around the guys he plays with. I understand why it’s hard to get everybody to come out and play in these games – they’re proud men who can’t shake the competitive drive, and they don’t want to be embarrassed. Nobody who deserves a lifetime of respect after a great NHL career wants to endure a public shaming.
So given the number of fantastic names on the list – Eric freakin’ Lindros being the most compelling, for me – I’m looking forward to it. The most impressive thing is always the passing – as these guys get older, dump and chase seems like a lot more work, so they maintain puck possession for as long as possible.
I’ll be there in person with my partner-in-podcast, Rob Pizzo. We’ll keep you up to date on all the action in a little over a month!
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Just for kicks before I leave for the weekend, here’s a little bonus for you. From theScore video department, the top 5 saves of the week:
How many steps ahead will Recchi be than everyone else?
How’d Jim Dowd sneak on the flyers? He plays for one season at the end of his career and gets to play? I mean, sure, cool guy, NHLer from NJ, which is rather rare, but at the same time, he was never quite that good, and like I said, a Flyer for 1 year.
Just sayin’.
LEGION of DOOM…looking forward to seeing those guys back together, wouldve been nice to see Gretzky and Messier though
Messier is undergoing shoulder surgery and said he hopes to play in the game.
Renberg is not on the roster so the Legion of Doom will not be there in totality.
It’s nice to see Dan Blackburn suiting up for the Rangers.
I realise he’s likely only a fill-in for MIke Richter but it’s still nice of them to get him involved after he had his career cut short by a freak injury.
It’s nice to see that Larry is stil goodenough to play hockey…