The most recent entry of an NHLer playing adult recreational hockey is Benoit Hogue, having fun in
beer-league in Long Island. He joins others including; Matt Cooke, Joey Kocur and Cliff Ronning, who are also featured in this ever expanding article.NHL players are all locked out. They are not allowed to play or sign for any NHL team. They are, however, free to play for any other team in any other league that they choose. Some have gone to Europe and Russia, some will play in minors, but many aren't playing anywhere. Or are they?
As Tom Cochrane once crooned "My boy's gonna play in Beer League."
Benoit Hogue Benoit Hogue, a former New York Islander whose name appears on Stanley Cup, is just one of boys. After 15 years in NHL Benoit is now playing for fun of it.
As reported in Long Island Press, Benoit Hogue, 38, has joined with his friends on three different teams. One of them Rinx Ratz of no-hitting Midnight Hockey League. "I have a good time. I love to get on ice. I love to play, " he says.
By all reports he's a class act on ice, using his skill to make others around him better, rather than taking over game for himself.
Matt Cooke In February of 2005, Matt Cooke played for Adtek Rockets out of Burnaby 8 -Rinks in British Columbia. No points in a 5-2 loss but he did manage to get a body checking penalty. Called in as a spare to give Adtek Rockets 12 skaters on night, Matt Cooke was playing in a Div 3 game out in Burnaby, BC, Canada.
But as usual stats only tell half story. Apparently difference in quality of hockey between him and balance of players was very noticebale, and as for his bodycheck, well, let's just say that when you are an NHLer playing beer leagues, theres always one in crowd that tries to prove themself against you.
