Ice hockey is a tough game for tough men. You can get easily injured, you can bleed, or you can also lose your teeth. Everyone who plays hockey knows it and somehow not only accepts it, but welcomes it. The love for this game is stronger than a beautiful smile.
Hockey players can loose their teeth in different ways. For example, when they are blocking shots. Stop the puck with your mouth? Respectable, but extremely painful. They can also lose their teeth in fights. Notorious fighters in the NHL are not afraid of anything. Several missing teeth? Not a problem, your honor and honor of your team is much more important than pearly whites.
There are also weird situations when players loose a tooth - while scoring a goal, celebrating, losing a mouthguard or a brawl in front of the net. You would be surprised how common these moments are in hockey.
TOP 10 Toothless Smiles: NHL Edition
Some of you can argue that toothless smiles are not something worth spending time on. Well, this kind of smiley hockey faces are unique, specific and you cannot find them in other sports. We chose TOP 10 toothless smiles from the NHL's history. You will appreciate them more when you'll imagine that these guys are smiling even though they are in the enormous amounts of pain (just imagine how many dentist appointments these guys have!).
10. Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley was one of the best NHL forwards of his era. He made a name for himself not only with goals and assists but also with his smile. He rarely had all of his teeth. This photo is from 2006 when he played for the Atlanta Trashers.
9. Bobby Hull & Stan Mikita
Two legends from the Chicago Blackhawks, two unforgettable persons of the NHL history. Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita are hockey legends and players who inspired not just one generation of the future players. You watched their goals and read about their records. But did you see their unique toothless smiles from 1963?
8. Alexander Ovechkin
You probably knew that this list couldn't exist without Alexander Ovechkin. The captain of the Washington Capitals regularly loses some of his teeth and he actually never has his teeth fixed. This photo was created in 2010. Fourteen years ago, wow! Dental surgeries don't make much sense for this Russian superstar, because of the style of play he prefers and also his smile is basically a trademark jsut like his cannon of a shot.
7. Brent Burns
Brent Burns is one of the most famous toothless players in the NHL in recent years. This photo was taken in 2016 when this Canadian defenseman played for the San Jose Sharks. He is a member of the Carolina Hurricanes now, but still doesn't have all of his teeth.
6. Mark Messier
Another big hockey legend without his teeth. Look at Mark Messier, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers in 1991. Skills—check, leadership—check, teeth—missing. Messier was not only a hockey mastermind, he was also very tough on the ice. This legendary forward was not afraid of anybody and pain was a vital part of his career.
5. Ken Daneyko
Ken Daneyko is maybe not one of the most famous former NHL players, but his smile is quite legendary. Photo below shows how he won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003. Yes, that's some reason to smile! His nickname was "Mr.Devil" and he has three Stanley Cups in total.
4. Sean Couturier
You probably know that Sean Couturier is an experienced forward for the Philadelphia Flyers. You may know that his vision on ice can decide games. But did you see his smile from 2013? It will live rent-free in your mind for some time. Couturier plays without his teeth regularly, there is no reason to get them done before he ends his career.
3. Chris Neill
This photo is flawless. Chris Neill from the Ottawa Senators spitting water through his toothless mouth in 2009. What else? This forward was drafted in 6th round and spent his whole career with the Senators' organization. He made himself a name as a guy you don't want to mess with on ice.
2. Duncan Keith
Duncan Keith is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks. This photo from 2010 looks like this Canadian player has more cups than teeth. Keith was never afraid of blocking shots and risking his health in order to win. That's one of the reasons why he is so respected among the Hawks' fans.
1. Bobby Clarke
70s a 80s in the NHL were, how to put it mildly, interesting years. Lot of goals, many fights, enormous hits and a big amount of stylish players. The "best toothless smile" award goes to Bobby Clarke from the Philadelphia Flyers. This photo was taken in 1973. He was famous thanks to his tough and sometimes dangerous game. Clarke also won 2 Stanley Cups.
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Losing Teeth: Vital Part of NHL
There is literally nothing you can do about the fact that hockey players lose their teeth during NHL games. You can pay attention on the ice, you can play it safe, you can do whatever you want. But there is no certainty you won't lose your tooth. Sometimes it's a matter of a split-second, one moment on ice, or unfortunate rebound of the puck.
After losing their teeth, some players play without them until the end of their career. Others, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby (photo below), underwent a dental surgery. You just never know when you will lose your teeth again!
But you don't have to worry. As we mentioned above, every hockey player is at peace with this fact. Losing teeth is a vital part of ice hockey and we can discuss that toothless smiles are one of the funny things of the NHL and also other hockey leagues.
Also, it's important to mention that losing teeth is a sign of honor. Ice hockey is probably the only one of the sports where it is a point of pride when you don't have all of your teeth. It's a sign that you are fearless and that your team is more important for you than your health.
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