My earliest memories of playing hockey involve me, my brother, and neighbors in my basement with metal roller skates that had to be strapped onto your shoe. Goals were painted on the wall with red paint we constantly scored the game winning goal of the Stanley Cup while pretending to be players like Pronovost, Kehoe & LaRouche.
Nhl’ers grew up the same way. They all had hockey hero’s. If and when they made it to the NHL they were always going to be a star player. Most of the players that have made it to the NHL have been a star on a team at one point.