Fansided

Each NHL team’s most memorable hockey name

By C.L. Kohuss

EDMONTON, AB - MAY, 1984: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers throws his hands in the air after the Oiler score against the New York Islanders in the 1984 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Islanders 4 games to 1 to win the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Focus On Sport/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY, 1984: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers throws his hands in the air after the Oiler score against the New York Islanders in the 1984 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Islanders 4 games to 1 to win the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Focus On Sport/Getty Images) /
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1 Feb 1997: Defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the San Jose Sharks at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California. The Sharks defeated the Avalanche 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport
1 Feb 1997: Defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the San Jose Sharks at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California. The Sharks defeated the Avalanche 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport /

Carolina Hurricanes: Sandis Ozolinsh

Sandis Ozolinsh hopped around the NHL for about 14 seasons, spending his best years winning a Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 while being nominated for the Norris Trophy in 1997 before moving on to the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

But what do we really remember him for? That gnarly set of letters affixed to the plate of his jersey. It’s fitting that he spent most of his time with the Avs, because Sandis Ozolinsh is a mountain of a name to carry around, full of snow waiting to topple all who try and grasp its wonder.

In school during roll call, his teachers used to beckon across the classroom like they were summoning Zeus himself. Kids refused to play with him during recess for fear of being both struck by lightning and washed away in the angry waters of Poseidon’s wrath. Or something along those lines. We weren’t there for his childhood but the guess is educated, trust us.

Oh, and it also once petrified legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur. That’s right, Brodeur once got so scared that Ozolinsh was coming for him, he fell into the fetal position and let the puck roll on by and into the net. Don’t try to convince us a Joe Smith or Bill Williams has ever pulled that magic off.

The only reason he didn’t win the Norris in ’97 is that would mean having to face him at a trophy presentation.

Honorable mentions: Anton Khudobin, Andrej Netrasil (use as directed), Tom Kostopoulos, Jaroslav Spacek and Teuvo (TiVo) Teravainen

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