Flyers Vs. Ducks: 2011 or 1997?

As a fan of hockey, growing up in the 90’s gave me a chance to watch so many future Hall of Fame players. Well in the Flyers- Ducks game that I just finished watching, a feeling of nostalgia came over me. I felt as if it was the year 1997. Jaromir Jagr and Teemu Selanne were both out on the ice and doing the same thing that they have been doing for the last 20 years in the NHL, scoring goals! If Chris Pronger wasn’t hurt and he was out there tonight, it would have been a 90’s showcase game.

Jagr and Selanne might be a step or two slower than they were 10 years ago, but the scoring touch is still there. Selanne picked up his 646th career NHL goal tonight and Jagr notched numbers 653 and 654. What I am here to talk about is not the amazing game that just took place, but that fact that two men who are 40 years of age can still play and dominate a game that they are playing with guys half their age.

Unlike the NFL, player’s careers can last up to 20 years in the NHL. It makes the sport of hockey that much more enjoyable. Seeing guys like Mike Modano, Owen Nolan, Nicklas Lidstrom and Joe Sakic compete these last few years puts a smile on my face. Granted most of them have recently retired and the ones who haven’t are getting close to retirement. It still makes a 90’s hockey fan happy. Some sports give up on players when they reach a certain age, even if they are still producing points for their team. In hockey the beauty of having third and fourth lines makes for older players in the league to still get a chance to play.

When the last of the 90’s players retire and all I have left to watch is the new generation of hockey players, it will be a sad day. The guys today are a bit faster and have better hands for the most part, but it will symbolize my child-hood has officially come to an end. So for my sake and the rest of us 90’s fans, let’s hope they keep these guys around for another few years.


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