NHL Hockey Players - The Toughest of Them All

NHL hockey is as physical a sport as they come. What comes with that are some pretty tough players. Players that will play through the worst bodily conditions because of how much they love the sport. This is why I believe hockey is superior. I just don't see as much fight in the players of other sports as much as I do in hockey players. They are ruthless, tough, and will do anything to keep playing. Let's look at just a few examples of that. 

The 2013 playoffs were brutal on the body of Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron. It probably didn't help that the Bruins made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. Bergeron had a fantastic postseason, finishing with 9 goals and 6 assists. It wasn't until after suffering a loss in the final to the Chicago Blackhawks that we knew just how much of a toll Bergeron's body took.

Take a minute and soak that in. Bergeron PLAYED with a separated shoulder, broken rib, torn cartilage, and a punctured lung. What would normally sideline the average Joe from even going to work for a couple weeks didn't seem to phase Bergeron one bit. He acquired these injuries throughout the playoffs, and he just kept playing...and playing...and playing. Such character, will, and heart from Bergeron and a prime example of why hockey players are as tough as they come. 

"Obviously, guys have bumps and bruises. But he's a 

guy that doesn't care about those bumps and bruises.

Hell, he had a hole in his lung. He wears the "B" with

a lot of pride and this is why he's one of the leaders

of our team."

- Bruins head coach Claude Julien on Bergeron's 2013 playoff injuries

Next, is another example of the sheer will and dedication that hockey players have. 

On March 10, 2014 during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench. He was revived by the Stars medical staff and was then transported to the hospital. Peverley had surgery before the start of the season to correct an irregular heartbeat, so he knew of his condition. Dr. Gil Salazar was quoted as saying, "After he was revived and transported into the ambulance, I was able to talk to Rich. He was fully able to tell me where and who he was, and he actually wanted to get back in the game." So after basically dying on the bench and being revived, he just wanted to get back up and keep on playing in the game like nothing happened. I mean, nobody knows exactly how Peverley may have been feeling at that time, but that is absolutely insane. I cannot think of any situation in sports where a player has collapsed and then immediately asked to get back to the game. 

The dedication and will of hockey players shines through like a burning sun. Banged up? Playing. Injured? Playing. Just collapsed? Want to play, but probably won't be allowed to. 

Hockey players are a breed of their own. Willing to do absolutely anything necessary to play under any bodily conditions. They are worthy of the upmost amount of respect. I never see anything in any other sport like what I see from hockey. These players are the toughest, no argument. 

Some silly memes that help justify my argument.