Posted on 11/03/2011 12:01:07 PM PDT by RitchieAprile
Don't be surprised if you see in the news one day that Dominik Hasek climbed Mt. Everest.
While he's currently stepped away from his hockey career, the veteran goalie has been pursuing a variety of interesting activities.
He played beach volleyball, skied on a glacier in the Alps with Czech Olympic downhill skiing medalist Sarka Zahrobska, crossed Albania by bike (he even thought about cycling through Kamchatka), and in the last weekend he competed with professional drivers while racing at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Race in Barcelona.
For complete Hasek photo gallery, click here. "All those activities keep me in good shape. I still think about returning to play hockey next year, so it is important for me to do other sports now and be ready," Hasek said after returning from Spain to his home in Prague.
The Czech legend will turn 47 in January, but you would hardly recognize his age. He is still in shape, like during his Stanley Cup winning days in 2002. He is still working on his flexibility and reflections. He even won a reflection contest on the car racing simulator while competing with many other applicants -- which is how he made it all the way to the race in Barcelona.
"After the contest, I prepared myself for the race on the simulator every second day," Hasek said. "I also had a chance to train on the racing track in Most, Czech Republic. But once you get to be a part of the real race, it's totally different."
Switching with Spanish driver Carmen Jodra, Hasek had a chance to finish in eighth place out of 15 teams in the second race.
"Unfortunately, just two laps to go someone hit my tire from behind and pushed me out of the track," Hasek said. "But it was great experience anyway. I was excited that I had a chance to compete with all racing pros, who do this sport since the age of six."
After his Albanian cycling adventure and full-of-adrenaline action in Barcelona, the goalie is looking forward to the upcoming winter season.
"I will add a lot of skiing to my schedule; maybe I'm gonna try some other car races. I'm having fun, but I am getting ready for hockey at the same time," he added.
Hasek's life remains full of action and surprises. He might call it a career next spring, but he could also end up with a KHL club, or come back to the Czech Extraleague. Another European elite league -- Sweden, Finland or Switzerland -- could also be an option.
In the Dominator's world, there is no mission impossible. At an age when other hockey stars are comfortably enjoying their retirement, Hasek is showing he still wants to fight for another chance.
Some great memories. I saw him between the pipes 4 or 5 times when I lived in Buffalo. His slinky spine: PRICELESS.
The Red Wings could use a good backup goalie right now.
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