Playing NHL hockey is definitely demanding. Compared to other professional sports, a full NHL season runs nearly year-round. So, between traveling on the road, participating in fan engagement opportunities and bringing the best vibes to their home games, hockey players don’t have much time for a break. When the very short off-season rolls around, players take full advantage of taking some time for themselves to enjoy their favorite activities. Here is what some well-known hockey players are doing when their skates aren’t laced up.
Victor Hedman Reaches New Heights
Courtesy of Sportsnet
Though this big Swede may be known as the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the backbone of the team, most fans don’t know that Hedman loves to fly, and has always had longtime aspirations to be a pilot.
“I love flying and have always had an interest in airplanes,” said Hedman in a feature with Sportsnet in 2019.
Hedman’s grandfather was a pilot in the Swedish military, so he grew up looking at old photos and hearing stories. Hedman’s first time “flying” was using a flight simulator on his computer when he was 13. Since then, he was hooked.
In 2019, he got the chance to use a state-of-the-art flight simulator at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. This gave him the chance to “fly” over the Bay and see all his favorite places from the “sky.”
“I’m sick of flying as a passenger, but you know being in the cockpit and flying those planes up there is a pretty cool experience,” Hedman said. “Definitely something I want to do when I’m done with hockey.”
Joseph Woll Stops Pucks and Plays the Piano
Courtesy of Louis K. Mensah/@Mensahmemories
Though Joseph Woll is known as the future of goaltending for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the goalie is not just a prodigy in the net. He is also quite gifted on the piano. Woll taught himself how to play the piano when he was a child, soon after his family got a grand piano.
“I really just like playing what I like to play,” Woll said. “Since then it’s just been something I’ve worked on, on my own as a hobby outside of hockey.”
Throughout the years, Woll has practiced day-by-day based on his interest and his schedule. Last year, at the Night with Blue and White Gala, Woll couldn't help himself when he saw a grand piano in the lobby. Naturally, he sat down and, reportedly, played a flawless rendition of Hans Zimmer’s “Interstellar” for his teammates and other gala guests.
Musicality also runs in Woll’s family as his aunt is a musician and teaches music. Additionally, his grandmother could apparently play perfectly by ear.
Besides music being a favorite hobby of Woll’s, it’s also an outlet from the stress of professional hockey.
“One thing music is really good at with my life, it’s a good emotional kind of space,” Woll said. “It’s like hockey where I can go and tune out. I also think it’s a great way -- I’m a very creative person -- so it’s a great way to get that creative outlet. One of my favorite things about music is how emotional it can be so it’s a great creative outlet for that in my life.”
The Big Z Goes the Distance
Courtesy of Omar Rawlings/Getty Images
Though Zdeno Chára is no longer in the league, he has continued to remain active, and by active, I mean Chara has become a total distance junkie. From 2023-24, Chára ran eight marathons, including two Boston Marathons. In fact, he ran both the 2024 Boston Marathon and the 2024 London Marathon less than a week apart from each other. Besides marathons, Chára has also completed a half-Ironman triathlon and a 50-kilometer trail race.
“Not really surprised. You knew [Chara] was going to find something really competitive, very hard,” current Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand said about his former teammate. “Something that takes a lot of training, something he can improve upon. He’s just a beast. He likes the challenge.”
Hitting the Green
Courtesy of Tom Zillich
It’s notable to mention that most hockey players can be found on the golf course when they’re not on the ice. To be fair, golf is an outlet, played at exclusive clubs away from fans and the hype. Many big names have been seen on their local golf courses, from veterans like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, who apparently hit a hole-in-one during his first time golfing ever, to younger players like the Hughes brothers.
Not only is golf relaxing, but it also benefits the players’ hockey skills as well. After all, hitting a puck is very similar to hitting a golf ball. Very “Happy Gilmore”-esque isn’t it?
An NHL player’s schedule can be very hectic throughout the season. As fans, we often forget that hockey players are people too, so it’s fun to catch a glimpse of them off the rink enjoying their favorite hobbies.
Edited by Jenna Mandarano
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