More Hockey Doctors

Last week I posted a well received article about NHL players who either were or later became doctors.

I had 1o players identified: Randy Gregg, Fred Arthur, Al Simmons, Bobby Copp, Phil Samis, Jerry Wilson, Rod Smylie, Duke McCurry, Bill Carson and Doc Stewart. Pre-NHL era player Gordon Roberts and 1928 Olympians Lou Hudson and Joe Sullivan rounded out the list.

Several colleagues have come through with more hockey playing doctors. Dave Soutter and Seth Lerman reminded me of another modern era player who became a doctor. Bill Baker, a 1980 "Miracle on Ice" veteran who played 143 games in the NHL, returned to the University of Minnesota and completed his dentistry residency in 1993. He now works oral surgeon and maxillofacial specialist in Brainerd, Minnesota, with satellite offices in Bemidji and Little Falls.

"CGory2" informed me about Pat Graham, a player I admitedly never heard of. He played 103 games with Pittsburgh and Toronto in the early 1980s, but he never fulfilled his potential due to chronic back pain. His many hours in the chiropractor's office sparked an interest in the field. He opened his own practice in Toronto, and became a consulting chiropractor for the Toronto Blue Jays.

My old buddy Patrick Houda came through with three more, including Bill Carse, who practiced in Honolulu, and Stan Brown.

Unless they are patients of theirs, most fans nowadays have never heard of any of these guys other than Gregg and maybe Baker. But Houda notes a goaltender many of us are familiar with also became a doctor, though not exactly what you're expecting.

Clint Malarchuck, best remembered as the Buffalo Sabres goalie who had his neck sliced by a skate, got his papers as a horse dentist and chiropractor from the Acadamey of Equine Dentistry in Idaho. A life long rodeo and horse enthusiast, the Alberta born Malarchuk practices horse care when his schedule as Columbus Blue Jackets goaltending consultant allows.

Outside of the medical field altogether is Morris Mott and Les Kozak. Michel Vigneault reminded me about Mott, the former 1960s Canadian national and Olympic team star who later played for the California Golden Seals. He got a doctorate in history and is now a professor at Brandon University in Manitoba. I'm still hoping to learn more about Dr. Kozak.