Top Eleven NHL Moments in Entertainment

My dear friend and fantastic Radio host/hockey blogger, Cassie McClellan posed a very fun query today that sent me straight to the interwebs.

Cassie wanted to know why Cameron wears a Gordie Howe Sweater in the classic film "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, especially when the movie is based in Chicago.

After responding: “Because the only real hockey fans in Chicago are Detroit Red Wings Fans”, I had to know which NHL team has received the most love from Hollywierd. 

Sure, I assumed it would be the Wings, and make no mistake we do see tons of Detroit Red Wing love in music, television and film, but are the Wings the most beloved by the entertainment industry? 

I think it safe to say that based on my random and completely un-statistically proven search of the interwebs, Wings are top 3, but given K. Smith’s love of the Devils;  Sandler’s voluminous homages to the Bruins; and some sort of bizarre random bromances for the Blackhawks (I ask you who the faulk really cares what Vince Vaughn thinks?),  the Wings have some serious competition for the Mike Myers Lifetime Achievement in Television Award.  

If, in fact we were being honest,  I’d have to acknowledge the historical significance of the Bruins in television as formidable, to which we can only ask "wtf to infinity?", and look for a palette cleanser…and so I ask you:

What is your all time favorite NHL moment in entertainment?

Here are 11.3 of my all time favorite NHL Moments in Entertainment, counting down.

DISS-HONORABLE MENTION

 Uncle Joey- Full House- Detroit Red Wings.  I cant find a picture, but allegedly Uncle Joey’s bedroom was decorated in Red Wings paraphernalia. Almost more shame that even Alanis Morrisette has to bear for writing “You ought to know” about this buffoon. Significantly harms all the good done by Dr. Cox… it’s a damn good thing we had Uncle Jessie. 

HONORABLE MENTION

Snoop-Thucks.  Snoop Dogg sported a Parros ‘stache in 2007 while the Ducks fought for the Cup.  

Tupac- Detroit Red Wings.  A perfect counteract to Snoop’s misguided moustachery. 

Chevy Chase- NL Vacation- Blackhawks.  I might not be a ‘hawks fan (then again, who is?), but no one faulks with the Griswolds. 

THESE GO TO ELEVEN

11. Goldberg- MMD- Mighty Mighties. It cannot be denied. We can only hope to contain it. 

10. Robin Sherbatsky- HIMYM- Vancouver Canucks. I had to add it, its likely the ONLY time in history a Vancouver Sweater makes it onto the telly. 

9. Lisa Simpson- Simpsons- Mighty Pigs.  Not only is this the first female television character to play the sport (and kick ass doing so), but helpful in counteracting any perceived props for the “Thucks”. 

8. Eddie LeBec- Cheers- Bruins. Don’t care what I have say about Boston, its irritating sports fans, or the Bruins, Eddie was the BEST!!!

7. Mike Meyers- Wayne’s World- Blackhawks.  This would have gone higher in the count, but was dinged by virtue of the existence of the Love Guru.) Innerstingly, Myer’s wears No. 32 in the movie, and while I personally would like to believe that was in homage to Bruce Boudreau, its hard to believe that he wasn’t wearing the No. 30 for Eddie Belfour. Judge for yourself- you can see in the photo, its No. 32, I can’t make the name out. Of course Garth gets props for the Esposito gear in goal.  

6. Hanson Brothers- Slapshot- Chiefs.   What???? Like I’d leave Slapshot out. 

5. Adam Sandler- Happy Gilmore- Bruins. Its odd to me that Sandler wears so much Bruins gear, but rumor has it he sported Rangers gear for Big Daddy, I just don’t remember  care.

4. Randal- Clerks- CCCP.  I didn’t want to rank Kevin Smith this high, but when I went looking for pictures and found this, the cereal props cannot be denied. Anyone else find it weird that Smith puts his lead character, Dante, in a Pens jersey? Apparently he does this frequently. 

3. (tie) David Puddy- Seinfeld-Devils. Putty in all his Devils glory on Seinfeld.  Best Seinfeld moment ever? Puddy showing up at Elaine's for this date. 

3. (tie) Detroit Red Wings- South Park- Detroit Red Wings. What more could you want: South Park, the Cup, the Wings, a destroyed Colorado Avalanche team and Stan’s Mighty Mighties. If it hadn’t been for the whole leukemia thing, this might have made it to No. 1. 

2. Cameron- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off- Detroit Red Wings. Classic. Timeless. Proof positive of the staying power of a legendary franchise.  

1. Dr. Cox-Scrubs-Detroit Red Wings   Dr. Cox’s mad continual love for the Wings (and Cheli) on one of the funniest series to ever grace the television cannot be denied. Plus, Cheli and Cox (John C. McGinley as he’s known in the real world) are Malibu neighbors and have been rumored to share a love for sprokets and ice cream.