Former Flyer drops the gloves while turning back time

The role of the enforcer in the NHL is a vanishing breed. Throughout the decades, NHL teams would often employ one or perhaps two players to help maintain order in the league and settle scores when players had disputes.

It wasn't surprising when a coach would send his enforcer to handle another player who had been antagonizing a young star, an up-and-coming talent, or their goaltender. Donald Brashear was one of those players, and during his active years in the NHL from 1993 through 2010, he patrolled the ice to ensure his teammates' safety.

He played for five NHL organizations, including the Flyers, where he spent four seasons and became a fixture in the bottom six. The teams he played for in Philadelphia consistently made the playoffs, and he played a pivotal role in several playoff runs.

Surprisingly, it seems that Brashear is not done with hockey, even though he retired in 2015. The 51-year-old forward has decided to lace up his skates once again and play for the semi-professional Quebec Senior League with the Wendake Black Jack.



For those familiar with the LNAH, fighting is a prerequisite in this league, as it's meant more for entertainment than the sport itself. Brashear chose to drop the gloves against Derek Parker, and the two briefly engaged in a tussle, although hugging seemed to be more prevalent.

It's good to see these older players still active in hockey and providing the crowd with something to cheer about.