Celeberty Hockey Signings Part 3

When Ralph Macchio was drafted in the 2nd Round, 22nd overall by the New York Islanders in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft nobody expected very much form the the young scrapper out of the San Fernando Valley. He had come to notoriety a few years earlier when he brought down the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Soon offers were pouring in from all over the Minor Leagues. he signed a lucrative deal with Laval QMJHL that would allow him to live comfortably until he could apply for the draft in the spring of '74. Macchio put up good numbers in the minors and though scouting services never considered him to be a scoring threat on the NHL level there was still a buzz when he remained on the board late in the second round.

After being selected by the Islanders The Karate Kid returned Laval for his final year of minor league eligibility. It was during this final year that the kid's hockey career fell apart. During a late season game against league powerhouse the Val-d'Or Foreurs Macchio was tapped by his coach to take on the Foreurs heavyweight after an unsportsmanlike hit on Laval's star player. Macchio was obviously out matched and 15 seconds into the bout was curled up in ball taking the beating of his life. It was about this time that a small Japanese man began yelling from the stands. Immediately the Kid was on his feet and fighting for his life. Then it happened the single most shocking moment in sports. In a moment of fear the kid reverted back to his martial arts training and kicked his opponent in the face horribly disfiguring him. Macchio was give a one year suspension, and his opponent a young player named Chris Chelios was damed to a life as the most hideous creature in hockey.

As the 1976 pre-season began Macchio prepared for his return to the world of professional sport. The Islanders desperate for body's to fill out their roster agreed to give the kid a tryout contract as long as he was willing change his name and appearance to lessen the chances of retribution for the Chelios incident. Macchio agreed to the stipulations changing his name to Brian Trottier and growing a giant mustache. Over the next 18 years Macchio won 4 Stanley Cups with the Islanders, Penguins, and Avalanche.


Hockey Season is Only Two Months Away,



Hang in there Kitty hockey will be back soon!

Peace Out Yo