A Healthy Smile

Vol. I, No. 28

Here's a picture.  It could only happen in hockey.

Shown at the left are Rod Pelley and two of his fans. The one on the right photo-shopped this picture.  It is real. She did not insert anyone in it. She just cropped the background to focus on some old timer in the middle. Who?  Take three guesses.

The old timer wears #2 with the name FETISOV across the back of the jersey.

Some hockey fans ask who he is, or was.  #2 was Slava Fetisov, the first Russian hockey player to cross the line and play in the NHL.  Was it any coincidence that the Devils surprised the hockey world in 1995 with a four-straight sweep of the Detroit Red Wings?

Rod Pelley wears that healthy smile of hockey, the badge that players sport when their mouth meets a puck or stick held high.  In no other sport are missing front teeth such trophies.  Maybe the closest thing is boxing's cauliflower ear.

Mouthguards are now universal in hockey, but if you ever see a player really concentrating in the midst of play, you might see his guard partially out, clenched between the teeth like a biting on a stick.   And the teeth keep getting knocked out.   This keeps the team dentists happily occupied.

The only solution is probably a full head cage, such as those used in lacrosse and college hockey.  But the cage is regarded as the sign of a wuss.  Very few players wear anything below the eyeshield (visor).  And even visors are not widespread, used mostly by younger players, or those who have suffered head injuries and have to protect the eyes or noggin from more hits.

Hockey has a reputation to keep - a rough sport like rugby, in which participants play through the pain.  So, having a few missing front teeth shows that you have paid your dues.  Rod belongs to the club.  

Hockey Rules