Professional hockey is a beloved sport for many folks, and the professionals who play it are adored by their fans. High levels of discipline and fitness are required to play at such a professional level. Given this, some would believe these athletes had little time for anything else. That is not the situation, though.
These professionals have interesting past time activities. For some of them, playing casinos and poker is something they like doing. Here are five Canadian professional hockey players who play casinos and poker.
Wayne Gretzky: The Great One at the Casino Table
Talking about professional hockey players from Canada without including Wayne Gretzky is practically impossible. After attaining extraordinary success and financial stability, the Hall of Famer left the hockey stage.
Some of his achievements on the rink include:
- Four Stanley Cups,
- 8-time All-NHL first team,
- Most All-Star game goals,
- Most goals in a regular season: 92 in 80 games.
With the wealth he accumulated playing hockey, Gretzky pursued an interest in gambling. He is known for routinely visiting Las Vegas casinos, including Slots City with perfect online casino slots. There were rumours that he had $1 worth of credit, and was even accused of heavy spending.
Despite criticism of his betting practices, Gretzky’s love of the game never wavered. His wife was accused of illegal gambling practices, but she was never found guilty. The Great One continues to patronize casino tables to this day.
Roberto Luongo: A Goaltender with a Poker Face
Montreal-born Roberto Luongo is a highly-rated NHL goalie known for his extraordinary butterfly style. He played for some prestigious NHL clubs. While much is known about him, few know that Luongo secretly loves poker.
Once Luongo hanged his hockey skates, he began spending more time on poker. Luongo has been involved in several charitable poker events as proof of his love for the game and helping society. He has further shown his philanthropic spirit through other events, including visiting with the children of the Vancouver Hospice. This reveals his genuine concern for his fans and the causes he advocates.
Joe Sakic: A Hockey Legend Who Loves Poker
Joe Sakic is said to be one of the most outstanding leaders in NHL history. Whenever the team needed to be motivated to win a match, Sakic was the man.
Coupled with his exceptional ice talents, this hockey legend has competed in numerous poker events. Sakic is endowed with high-level strategic thinking, which has made him a top executive in the game. His love for poker might just be another avenue to showcase his strategic thinking ability and fierce competitiveness.
Adam Foote: From the Ice to the Poker Table
Adam Foote, a native of Ontario, CA, is well-known for his fabulous presence and ice-skating leadership skills. He proudly represented Team Canada and won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. During his playing days, he won the Stanley Cup two times.
Foote’s passion for poker surfaced in 2005 when he entered charity events alongside well-known players. He also became interested in online casino games. We don’t know much about his recent poker-playing activities. However, we won’t be surprised to learn that he’s still competing actively online.
Gino Odjick: Algonquin Assassin at the Casino
Gino Odjick was beloved for his aggressive playing style and earned the nickname Algonquin Assassin. Supporters loved him during his career with the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks for such playing style.
Odjick started visiting River Rock Casino often after retiring and grew to enjoy table games there. His passion for gaming persisted long beyond his hockey career. Odjick’s love of gaming and hockey won him supporters on both sides of the border.
Summary of Canadian Hockey Players and Their Gaming Interests
Player Name | NHL Teams | Gaming Interest |
|---|---|---|
Wayne Gretzky | Indianapolis Racers, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers | Casinos, sports betting |
Roberto Luongo | NY Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, and Florida Panthers | Poker |
Joe Sakic | Colorado Avalanche | Poker |
Adam Foote | Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, and Columbus Blue Jackets | Poker |
Gino Odjick | Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens | Casino table games |
Non-Canadian Professional Hockey Players Who Play Casinos and Poker
The love for casinos and poker isn’t limited to players from Canada. Here is a list of non-Canadian professional hockey players who play these games:
- Evgeni Malkin – Russian.
- Jaromír Jágr – Czech.
- Daniel and Henrik Sedin – Swedish Twins.
Conclusion
These Canadian hockey players demonstrate that their competitive spirit is not limited to the rink. Whether they play poker or casino, these athletes appreciate the challenge and thrills of gambling. Their tales highlight a different side to their characters and prove that the casino can thrill even sports stars.