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Most people would say open-ice hit was justified.
Joey Kocur This 2004/05 lockout isn't first one where NHL players ended up playing in Beer-Leagues. The Al Dittrich recreational hockey team out of Pontiac, Michigan added Joey Kocur to their line-up during NHL lockout in '92.
Later that season he joined another Detroit team, Red Wings. Two years later he returned to Al Dittrich dressing room and brought with him a token of appreciation - The Stanley Cup.
This isn't only time an NHL'er has joined beer leagues to keep in shape. Its just one of rare instances that it has made press.
Cliff Ronning Another instance of note comes from Cliff Ronning. "I was skating with beer-league players -- guys who play game for love of it," he says. "I was paying $10 a night to go and skate -- it shows how much I still wanted to play. Playing with guys who were 40 and 50 and never got chance to play in NHL was a fun experience. You get back to what hockey really is, where you're playing for love of game." The 38-year-old Ronning, signed with Islanders Jan 9, 2004 as a free agent after sitting out first half of season... playing beer league hockey.
Cliff was also seen playing pick-up hockey in Vancouver lately (February 2005) as a goalie. The impression he gave was, as a former professional he didn't want to take over game, so he chose to play goal where he could let his competitive nature flourish.
Glen Trainor Communications Major, Online Publisher, and Adult Hockey Enthusiast. http://www.beerleaguehockey.com