Posted on 11/23/2011 9:45:47 PM PST by MplsSteve
Paul Deutsch's pals in his recreational hockey league needed to find a replacement goalie Wednesday night. The 51-year-old embroidery shop owner was going to be suiting up for another team: The NHL's Minnesota Wild.
The Wild signed Deutsch to an amateur tryout contract to serve as an emergency backup to starter Josh Harding for Wednesday's game against the Nashville Predators.
The Wild beat the Predators 3 to 2.
"Actually giving up my Wednesday night game," Deutsch said. "We play at Bloomington Ice Gardens at 9:45 p.m. till they turn the lights off. Tonight's the night. I can't make it."
Deutsch was signed after Niklas Backstrom was declared out for personal reasons. Matt Hackett was recalled from Houston, but his flight wasn't scheduled to land in the Twin Cities until about 6:30 p.m. and, with the holiday traffic, Minnesota couldn't take any chances of being short a goaltender.
Deutsch's improbable shot at playing in an NHL game ended almost as quickly as it started, though. Hackett arrived at the arena just before the 7 p.m. game time and Deutsch was scratched.
Wearing a pair of former Wild goaltender Manny Fernandez's pads, Deutsch participated in pregame warmups.
(Excerpt) Read more at kare11.com ...
Comments or opinions - anyone?
They should have picked a High school player-!
that would have been a thrill- especially someone from
outstate- Duluth, International falls -etc.
That would be a dream come true for me anyway. I’d settle for just a minor league opportunity.
Great story! Glad to see a guy who plays the game because he loves it almost get a shot.
Could I get signed as a forward for 1 game????
What a great story. Is he still on the team?
I have a guy on my hockey team who is 73 he had 2 bad knees and every doctor he wentt to said they would do the surgery but he couldn’t play again he finally found a doc 3 years ago that said he could play after surgery and he went for it and is still playing
This is a really cool story and he will always be able to say that when he was signed, it was for the top team in the NHL!
>>> They should have picked a High school player-! >>>
In addition to being a statement right out of liberal (phony) child worship - such a signing would have made the kid ineligible forever for high school and college hockey.
A 51 year old guy? Probably 51 going on 35. Great story, just as it is.
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