May 11, 2008

Super Seven - Nicknames

This list includes only stars. There will be a later one just for enforcers. I tried for the most part to stay away from your standard nicknames (Red, Rocket, Flash, etc.)

7. Jovocop
You got to love a defenseman who can do it all. Ed Jovanovski had over 50 points this year, but one of my favorite moments from this past season was his fight with Jarome Iginla. Jovocop is obviously a spin off of Robocop, but in my opinion he has the best nickname in the NHL today.

6. The Mighty Atom
Aurel Joliat is one of the craziest players of all time. When he was in his 70's he attended an NHL reunion when he threw-down twice with former NHLer, Punch Broadent. Once told by Clarence Campbell to stay in their hotel rooms, Joliat broke into Broadent's room and continued the brawl. At 5-7, 130 lbs. it's no mystery why they call him the Mighty Atom.

5. Cyclone Taylor
You don't get your own statue in the Hall of Fame next to Ken Dryden unless you're the real deal. Cyclone Taylor was the best player of his day. His nickname is so well known that you never hear his real first name: Frederick.

4. Roadrunner
Yvan Cournoyer's real name is just as cool as his nickname. This speedy Canadien lived up to his nickname.

3. Chicoutimi Cucumber
The Chicoutimi native, Georges Vezina, was as cool as the come in net thanks to that toque.

2. Terrible Ted
Before there was Lucky Luc there was Terrible Ted. Ted Lindsay was the best left winger of his time. Terrible Teddy lived up to his name, he was hated every other player on every other team and they hated him. He fought in an all star game, taunted fans with "the rifle" when he received death threats in Toronto, and shook the league up when he tried to start a Players Association.

1. Boom Boom Geoffrion
Bernie Geoffrion is another one of those players whose nickname basically replaced his real first name. Boom Boom got his name by being the alleged inventor of the slap shot.