Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

NHL Players, Like Teemu Selanne, Playing into Their 40's is the Norm

August 21, 2013, 8:23 AM ET [32 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Anaheim Ducks will know by next week if Teemu Selanne is coming back for one more season. He told the OC register that he will make his decision final in the coming days.

"By next week, I know what I'm going to do," Selanne said.


Myself and every other person in the world has beat this subject to death. I'm happy we will finally have some closure. Truthfully, I am amazed that we are still even having this conversation. Selanne is 43-years-old. Think about that. FORTY-THREE! I myself am closer to 43 than 23 and I can tell you that the body doesn't act, feel or respond the same way like it used to.

So for an athlete to still be playing at such a high level at such an 'advanced' age is actually quite an accomplishment. No, really, I mean that. Seriously.

I seem to remember thinking 40 was the magic number for retirement. I recall thinking a 37-year-old athlete was 'too old.' When my favorite player reached the broken down age of 35, he was done for. Get that 33-year-old grandpa off the field. Obviously, that is no longer the case.

When the hockey season opens in Newark, NJ, the Devils will take the ice will two forty-somethings on the roster. Both of these gristly vets are expected to play significant roles on the team. The same can be said for Selanne. The 'Finnish Flash' met with Ducks GM Bob Murray to discuss his role with the team and his fit within the offense. It's believed Selanne wants to play top six minutes and see time on the power play. Can't fault his for that. Right? The guy does have 675 goals to his credit.

For New Jersey, Martin Brodeur is, well, Martin Brodeur and will play MB30 minutes. The Devils acquired Corey Schneider from the 'Nucks to help ease the pain of Marty's 40-year-old joints, but he is a big part nonetheless. The Devs also added 41-year-old Jaromir Jagr to help fill the offensive void left by the sudden retirement of a 30-year-old (name that we will never speak of again.)

The Detroit Red Wings have made living of age-defying players (Lidstrom) and this summer they added a 40-year-old Daniel Alfredsson to the mix and he too will play a fair share of minutes for the winged wheels. Then there is Ray Whitney still active at 40. Nikolai Khabibulin is 40. Mike Knuble is 40. Not to mention the countless other players reaching the twilight years of 30. It has come to the point that age really doesn't matter like it once did. It is more like age is just another line on the stat sheet - albeit a negative one like plus/minus could be, but you catch my drift.

Players these days are so well conditioned (minus the PED's) and older players are more mentally stable than the younger guys, (Paging Mr. Seguin) it really isn't that surprising for age to take a back seat. The young NHL players are more likely to stay out later and have a few drinks, an older guy is more likely to do a few sit-ups, Skype with the wife and kids, watch an episode of Dexter and hit the hay. Trust me, a little rest really does do a body good.

Check out the list of the oldest players to pull an NHL sweater over their head. Some pretty big names on this list.

1. Gordie Howe - 52
2. Chris Chelios - 48
3. Johnny Bower - 45
4. Five players tied
- Doug Harvey - 44
- Tim Horton - 44
- Jacques Plantes - 44
- Gump Worsley - 44
- Lester Patrick - 44
5. Seven players tied
- Dominic Hasek - 43
- Mark Messier - 43
- Allan Stanley - 43
- Igor Larionov
- Mark Recchi
- Claude Lemieux - 43
- Teemu Selanne - 43

Can you imagine seeing another Howe, playing NHL hockey until his 50th birthday? Well, actually yeah I can. Medicine is better, training is better, facilities are better, food is better. Why not? It might seem weird, but then again playing until 40 seemed weird not too long ago. Am I right?

Enough of my blabbing for today. Enjoy the rest of your summer folks...hockey season is just around the corner.
***

Follow me on Twitter! @StevePalumboTHW


On Facebook at StevePalumboNHL

Email me at [email protected]
Join the Discussion: » 32 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Steve Palumbo
» Sharks offense in heating up; have they turned a corner?
» Radim Simek's return will help, but San Jose's issues run deep
» The Last Place Sharks; Should We Get Used To It?
» Evander Kane helping Sharks get back on track
» Patrick Marleau's big return masks Sharks woes