Topic: Who is your favourite hockey player, and why?

[moxie]

Past or present.

Well? 

[PHJ314]

All time....Gretzky, don't really need to give a reason.

But i do have a lot of other favorite players:
Joe Sakic
Mats Naslund
Dino Cicarelli
Steve Yzerman
Mario Lemieux
Scott Stevens

Current day
Spezza
Phaneuf
Vanek
Kunitz
Neil

Probably come up with a long list, there's plenty of players I like.

[moxie]

All Time for me would be none other than Scott Stevens... I get a lot of flack for that from people who don't have the stomach for his massive hits, but the guy was the definition of leadership, toughness, and consistency.

Cam Neely would be up there on my all time list as well... I was also a huge fan of Wendel Clark.

Current NHL my favourite player is Ryan Smyth, and of course Mr. Neil, and Brian McGrattan. 

[momr]

Put me down as a Scott Stevens fan too.  Watching him raise the Cup will always be my favorite hockey moment - until which time the Sens do it

Right now, just for his energy, skill and honest love for the game, its Alexandre Ovechkin.

A close 2nd?  Marian Hossa.  One of the only complete players in the league. 

[armchaircoach]

all time, would have to be Bobby Orr and Borje Salming

Today, any player in a Senators sweater is my favorite...  but otherwise Zdeno is still my favorite along with perhaps Ovechkin

[lisgarlords]

All time and current favorite would have to be Shanahan. Just for his leadership and toughness. Have you seen this guys shoulder pads?

[MattLivingstone]

^^^Ya...can't say I agree with that one since Shannan is killing me in my pool. 
Knew I shoulda picked him!

My favorite this year is still prolly Ovechkin, just cuz of his presence on the ice.  Hits, scores, draws penalties, always gives 100%.
A close second is Brind'amour.  What a captain!  He is getting up there in age and hes still (third?) in scoring.  Incredible! 
Finally, Daniel Briere. Hes from Gatineau, and just such young talent.  He'd be a great edition to the club, and his contract runs out this year. (HINT Muckler)

Cheers!  Go Sens!

[moxie]

Did you know that Brind'Amour was from Ottawa as well? Can't say I'm a fan of his, but I definitely respect his dedication to conditioning and leadership.

[PuckFancy]

All-time favorite player: A toss-up between Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy and Gretzky.

Current fave: Daniel Brière - I know how some of you feel about him but I still can't help but cheer for a local boy who overcame his small size to make it in the NHL. He's got it all; Heart, talent and determination. He doesn't even shy away from the big hits, although some of 'em come from behind. 

Favorite Senator: Alfie with Vermette being a close second. I also think Neil is beginning to get into the Ottawa fans' hearts.

[classmate]

How about everyone on the 1980 USA "Miracle" Team.  Most of you are probably too young to have seen the games, but they were great to watch.  And played not to far from Ottawa in Lake Placid, NY. 

Man, I'm getting old.....

[SensGuy]

Current: Anton Volchenkov because he will do anything for his team.

Past: Valeri Kamensky because he was just really fun to watch and a great player.  One of the best skaters I've ever seen.

[moxie]

Yeah, Volchenkov is really tuning into a beast out there. Tough as nails, I just wish he could fight.

[Metalhawk]

Past: Valeri Kamensky because he was just really fun to watch and a great player. One of the best skaters I've ever seen.

One of the laziest players ever. Made Bonk look like a work horse. I know, I was a Nordiques fan...

[butterfly_style]

Did you know that Brind'Amour was from Ottawa as well? Can't say I'm a fan of his, but I definitely respect his dedication to conditioning and leadership.

I have always like Rod, and what he brings to the game.
Would love to see him finish his career here . . .at home.

[MattLivingstone]

Did you know that Brind'Amour was from Ottawa as well? Can't say I'm a fan of his, but I definitely respect his dedication to conditioning and leadership.

Can't say that I knew that!  I'd like to see him play here, but I can't see it happening becuase to me Brind'amour is a leader and a captain and we just can't offer that to him in Ottawa right now.

[work2play]

Favorite NHL player off all time:  Bobby Orr - changed the game like no other player of the expansion era.  Greatest player I've ever seen play the game at any level.  Honourable mention must be given to Stevie Y.  A true sportsman that always played the game with skill, dignity and grace. 

Favorite non-NHL player off all time:  Alexander Yakushev - big, strong, could skate like the wind.  Probably the first Russian player to really have a deadly slap shot.  Always turned up his game for the big events, especially when he played against Canada (OK, so I kinda hated him for that part).  Recorded a point in all 8 games of the 1972 Summit Series.  Of that '72 Team Russia roster, this was the guy I would have most liked to see get a shot in the NHL. 

Have to agree with the nomination of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team as well though.  An amazing example of a less talanted team beating the odds because they played completely as a team.  Every guy sacrificed whatever was required to win, and they stuck together and stuck up for each other through all the highs and lows.  No truly great players on the roster, yet they accomplished on of the most stunning upsets in hockey history.

Favorite Senator:  Chris Phillips. For to many reasons to list before my lunch break is over and I have to get to the meeting that my calander just reminded me starts in 5 minutes.

Favorite player currently in the NHL (non-Senator):  Jerome Iginla.  The more I watch this guy play, the more I wish he wore a Sens jersey. 
Honourable mention to Ovechkin, for his pure skill and obvious passion to play the game.

[kakemono]

Kariya. He got blown out by Scott Stevens in the Stanley Cup, knocked out cold on the ice. Came back that game and scored a goal. Thats heart! That and he plays for the Preds  (sry, I'm just a troll passing through on a game-day, but I liked this thread.)

-oh, and... Kariya was my favorite before coming to the Preds so I had my mind blown when we actually got him.

[Viper]

Favourite skill player- Steve Yzerman, did what it took to win, even playing through injuries a true warrior.
Favourite enforcer- Darren McCarty, I just loved it when he got those lefts going then switched to the rights.

HM- Brian McGrattan, Chris Neil and Tie Domi.

[moxie]

Favourite skill player- Steve Yzerman, did what it took to win, even playing through injuries a true warrior.
Favourite enforcer- Darren McCarty, I just loved it when he got those lefts going then switched to the rights.

HM- Brian McGrattan, Chris Neil and Tie Domi.

Have you seen Honor & Courage? There's a great part in there on McCarty. Must see for any McCarty fan. There's also sections on Cairns, McKenzie, and Laperierre.

[Viper]

Have you seen Honor & Courage? There's a great part in there on McCarty. Must see for any McCarty fan. There's also sections on Cairns, McKenzie, and Laperierre.

Yeah man, I've got that DVD, i love it. It's a real good insight for the anti fighting fans.