Longtime NHL Enforcer Donald Brashear Comes Out of Retirement at 53-Years-Old

Former NHL enforcer Donald Brashear is back in hockey and isn't letting his being 53 years old slow him down.

He's signed a contract with the Corner Brook Royals of the Central Western Senior Hockey League and he'll be competing against the other 3 teams in the League, which include the Deer Lake Red Wings, Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts and the Stephenville Lightning.

During Brashear's NHL career, he was one of the most feared enforcers to tie up a pair of skates. He played in 1,025 NHL games and had an astounding 2,635 penalty minutes, many of them from fights. As far as points, he had 205 (85G, 120A).v

In 2010, his total penalty minutes were tied for the 15th most in NHL history.

Brashear was also the victim of one of the most stunning on-ice acts of violence in professional sports history, as he was slashed in the side of his head by Boston Bruins forward Marty McSorely in 2000 as a member of the Vancouver Canucks.

During his NHL career, Brashear also played with the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and Rangers.

Brashear wasn't able to secure a new contract for himself after last playing in the NHL with the New York Rangers, and signed in the LNAH with Sorel-Tracy GCI.

In 2014, he went overseas and signed a contract with Modo Hockey of the Swedish Hockey League. In 2015, he was back in the LNAH with Thetford Assurancia.

Several years later in 2023-24, he played for Jonquiere Marquis, also in the LNAH. He had 45 penalty minutes in just 24 games. Later, he was also an assistant coach for a new LNAH expansion team in Quebec City.