NHL players resembling entertainers

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 10, 2008

NHL players resembling entertainers

Joe Sakic

Since most people are not familiar with the faces of NHL players, here are some notable players to watch for in the playoffs, alongside some more familiar faces from the entertainment industry they resemble......more or less. Avalanche center Joe Sakic has captained his team to two Stanley Cup victories already (1996, 2001), winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in '96 for MVP of the playoffs. Harry Connick, Jr. is a singer and actor. A Louisiana native, he has favored a New Orleans jazz style in his music, as well as supporting the restoration of the city post-Hurricane Katrina.

Peter Forsberg

Avalanche center Peter Forsberg was the league's MVP in 2003. Although he has battled with injuries throughout his career, he should be 100% for the playoffs, where he has been known to dominate in the past (63 goals and 103 assists in 144 games). Ryan Reynolds first made his name on the screen as National Lampoon's Van Wilder. He has since starred in such films as Waiting..., Just Friends, Smokin' Aces and will be in the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Marian Gaborik

Right wing Marian Gaborik led the Wild in goals (42) and points (83) this season, which included a five-goal performance in a 6-3 win over the Rangers on Dec. 20. Rick (aka Ricky) Schroder is a former child actor, best remembered from the show "Silver Spoons", who has since starred in "NYPD Blue" and "24."

Henrik Zetterberg

Left wing Henrik Zetterberg led the Red Wings in goals (43) this season and has scored 12 goals and 8 assists for Detroit in 24 playoff appearances over the past two postseasons. Jared Leto is an actor/musician best known for roles in films like Requiem for a Dream, Alexander and Lord of War in recent years, although some might remember him best as Jordan Catalano from the show "My So Called Life."

Nicklas Lidstrom

Nicklas Lidstrom has been one of the league's top defensemen for over a decade, having won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the NHL five of the last six seasons, along with the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP after Detroit's Stanley Cup victory in 2002. N.P.H. is an actor best known for his T.V. roles as the title character in "Doogie Howser, M.D." and more recently as one of the main characters in "How I Met Your Mother."

Jason Arnott

Center Jason Arnott is the Predators captain who led Nashville in scoring this season with 72 points (28 goals, 44 assists) and brings much playoff experience, having appeared in nine of the previous 12 playoffs, including a Stanley Cup notch in his belt with the 1999-00 Devils. Randy Travis is a multiple Grammy Award-winning country music star who racked up 15 #1 singles from 1986-1994.

Sidney Crosby

Penguins center Sidney Crosby is one of the most talented players in the NHL, winning both the league MVP and scoring title last season (36 goals, 84 assists and 120 points). Though riddled with injury this season, Pittsburgh's captain should be well rested for the playoffs. Andy Samberg is a comedian and cast member of Saturday Night Live. He is best known for his musical shorts for SNL, "Lazy Sunday" and "D**k in a Box."

Evgeni Malkin

Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin, last year's Rookie of the Year, proves there must not be a Russian translation for ''sophomore slump'' after leading the team in scoring with 47 goals, 59 assists and 106 points (second only to Ovechkin) this season. Nick Jonas is a member of The Jonas Brothers, a recent pop music sensation. Still no clue? They've toured with Miley Cyrus. 'Nuff said.

Jason Spezza

Senators center Jason Spezza led his team in scoring with 92 points (34 goals and 58 assists) this season and has scored 38 points in 36 playoff games heading into this postseason. Lee Evans is a stand-up comedian and character actor. He most notably played a pathological stalker in the romantic comedy There's Something About Mary.

Wade Redden

Senators defenseman Wade Redden has been an integral part of Ottawa's blue-line for the past decade and should continue to provide excellent two-way play in the playoffs. Matt Dillon is an actor who is best remembered as of late from such films as Crash and You, Me and Dupree.

Alexei Kovalev

Canadiens right wing Alexei Kovalev led his team in scoring with 35 goals, 49 assists, and 84 points this season. He hopes to lead top-seeded Montreal to it's first Stanley Cup since 1993. Sean Bean (whose names look like they should rhyme, but don't) is an actor who played Boromir in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He has also been in numerous scary movies.

Andrei Markov

Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov is coming off a career-high season in goals (16), assists (42) and points (58). Rowan Atkinson is a British comedian/actor best known for his character Mr. Bean.

Marco Sturm

Left wing Marco Sturm led the Bruins in goals (27) this season, including five game-winners. Adam Sandler is a Hollywood jack-of-all-trades, but is probably best known for his comedic work in such films as Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer.

Tim Thomas

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas posted a .921 save percentage (tied for 4th-highest in the league) this season, which would explain his appearance at the All-Star game this year. Drew Carey is a comedian and game show host who is currently the host of "The Price is Right."

Teemu Selanne

Right wing Teemu Selanne rejoined his Stanley Cup Champion Ducks in February after a brief retirement, and has not appeared to miss a beat, scoring 12 goals and 11 assists in 26 games. Rufus Sewell is an actor who does the smoldering British thing, usually in period pieces such as Dangerous Beauty, The Illusionist, and most recently, the mini-series "John Adams."

Ryan Getzlaf

Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf led his team with 82 points (24 goals and 58 assists) this season and should continue to provide much of the scoring for defending-champion Anaheim in the playoffs, much like last postseason (7 goals and 10 assists in 21 games). Josh Duhamel is an actor best known for his character Danny McCoy on the show ''Las Vegas'' as well as role in the Transformers movie.

Mike Modano

Center Mike Modano has been with the Dallas Stars since they were the Minnesota North Stars in 1989. Although he may be past his prime, he does have 133 career-points (53 goals and 80 assists) in 156 playoff games. Jon Heder made his debut as Napoleon Dynamite, and recently co-starred with Will Ferrell in the figure skating comedy Blades of Glory. Heder actually has an identical twin, Dan.

Marty Turco

Goalie Marty Turco has brought the Stars to the playoffs for five straight years, but unfortunately has not gotten Dallas past the first round since 2003. Rick Hoffman is an actor with many cameo and supporting roles, probably best known for his role as a twisted American client in the film Hostel.

Joe Thornton

Sharks center Joe Thornton was the league's MVP and leading scorer (125 points) two years ago, and has continued to score with 114- and 96-point seasons respectively. Rhys Ifans might be best remembered stateside for playing Hugh Grant's gross naked roommate in Notting Hill and place kicker Nigel ''The Leg'' Gruff in The Replacements. Ifans has since starred in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Danny Deckchair, and Vanity Fair.

Evgeni Nabokov

Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov led the league in wins this season (46) and hopes to lead it again in the playoffs with 16, the amount needed to win the Stanley Cup. Benjamin McKenzie is a film and television actor probably best remembered for his role on the series "The O.C.," in which he starred as the misfit Ryan Atwood.

Miikka Kiprusoff

Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff finished the season with 39 wins following 42- and 40-win seasons respectively. He brought Calgary all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004, but fell short despite posting a 1.85 Goals Against Average that postseason. Glen Hansard is a musician and actor whose love song "Falling Slowly" recently won him an Academy Award for Best Song.

Jarome Iginla

Flames right wing Jarome Iginla has scored at least 35 goals over the past seven seasons, finishing with 50 this season, and has scored 21 times in 41 career-playoff games. Mike Tyson is a retired boxer who was once known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet" and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title (20 years and 4 months).

Chris Drury

Rangers center Chris Drury puts up decent numbers during the regular season, but is known to really shine in the playoffs. He's scored 15 game-winning goals over six postseason appearances. Luke Wilson is an actor whose career began with a starring role in the Wes Anderson film Bottle Rocket alongside brother Owen Wilson, and he has appeared in Anderson's followup films Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. Wilson is a member of what the media refers to as ''The Frat Pack'', which began with his role in Old School.

Henrik Lundqvist

Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, aka King Henry, led the league in shutouts (10) this season, and with an Olympic gold medal (2006) already in his possession, all that remains is Lord Stanley's Cup. James Blunt is a singer that you probably hate for his single, "You're Beautiful." You probably hate him too for having once dated model Petra Nemcova.

Martin Brodeur

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur is arguably one of the most dominant goalies, past and present, winning the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender three times (2003, 2004 and 2007) along with three Stanley Cups (1995, 2000 and 2003). John Corbett is an actor who is best known for his roles on the television series "Northern Exposure" and "Sex & The City." He has a penchant for Elvis impersonations.

Mike Green

Capitals defenseman Mike Green had a breakout season, scoring 18 goals, 38 assists and 56 points. Channing Tatum is a model-turned-actor who breakdanced his way into the nation's heart in the film Step Up. He can currently be seen in the Iraq War drama Stop-Loss.

Alexander Ovechkin

Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin is entering his first playoff series after leading the league in goals (65) and points (112). He is currently the highest paid player in the NHL, signing a 13-year, $124 million contract in January, and has earned every penny thus far. Richard Kiel is an actor best known for his role as the steel-toothed Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. He also appeared in Happy Gilmore as hockey fanatic turned professional golfer Adam Sandler's former boss, notably with a nail lodged in his head courtesy of Happy.

Daniel Briere

Flyers center Daniel Briere is one of the team's top forwards and has registered at least a point in 14 of his final 15 games of the season. Paul McCartney is a legendary musician, most notably with The Beatles, and is considered one of the most successful entertainers of all time.