Players who started hockey late and still made the NHL?

[cutchemist42]

Anyone as old as 15-18 ever pick up hockey and still make it to the NHL? Another related question, how late is too late?

 

[BIitz]

Jovo cop started at 11.

 

[capitalsrock]

Probably not recently but the most likely scenario is a pure fighter who has little hockey skill.

 

[w e l o s t b o y s]

I think I heard or read that Komisarek started at like 14 or something

 

[Fred Taylor]

I think I heard or read that Komisarek started at like 14 or something

That explains everything...

 

[Inkling]

Yvon Lambert received his first pair of skates at age 13, and didn't play organised hockey until he was 15.

 

[Frankie Spankie]

Rod Langway didn't start playing hockey until he was 13.

I don't see that kind of thing happening nowadays though. Too many kids playing since before they start school, I don't see any way somebody can jump in with the competition of the kids today while being a teenager and still make it to the NHL.

 

[Joe Sakic]

Didn't Ovechkin not start until he was 8?

Not that old, but I think most guys started at least skating at like 4 or 5.

 

[dan1el]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of players can skate before they can talk. Lacing em up around 2 or 3 is pretty common. If there is a player in the NHL who starts at 15, I'd be shocked.

 

[Michael Gary Scott]

Not entirely related, but I do recall reading that Roberts and Nieuwendyk didn't play rep hockey until the age of 16 or something. Forget the story but I'm pretty sure it was those two

 

[tarheelhockey]

Rod Langway didn't start playing hockey until he was 13.

I don't see that kind of thing happening nowadays though. Too many kids playing since before they start school, I don't see any way somebody can jump in with the competition of the kids today while being a teenager and still make it to the NHL.

It could happen today. Jovanovski is an active player who wasn't much younger than Langway when he started. It's a matter of having the natural athleticism, physical frame, and a lot of access to ice time.

Is it likely... no. But it could happen, especially to a player who doesn't have the long successful career of a Langway or Jovo.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Anson Carter never played any organized hockey until midget (15 years old), IIRC.

 

[Phil Connors*]

No OP you will not make it to the NHL.

 

[Lord Helix]

Chris Stewart started late...Part of me thinks he has some potential that people forget about.

 

[nabbyfan]

Pretty sure Reimer didnt start playing organized hockey until he was 12 or 13.

 

[Ceremony]

No OP you will not make it to the NHL.

Glad I wasn't the one to have to break the news.

 

[Riddum]

Chris Stewart started late...Part of me thinks he has some potential that people forget about.

I wish this dude played on Crosby's line.

 

[capitalsrock]

Pretty sure Reimer didnt start playing organized hockey until he was 12 or 13.

Doesn't take much to be the starting goalie for the leafs.

 

[maroon 6]

Jovo cop started at 11.

The best part of this is that he was drafted first overall.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I' m not exactly sure on the age but Malcolm Subban started playing goalie rather late. Impressive given the position and how quickly he developed.

 

[Christian Litscher]

I think I heard or read that Komisarek started at like 14 or something

False.

Chris Stewart started late...Part of me thinks he has some potential that people forget about.

He quit for a year or two in grade 8 or 9 I think.

 

[Phil Connors*]

I' m not exactly sure on the age but Malcolm Subban started playing goalie rather late. Impressive given the position and how quickly he developed.

Belfour started playing/skating around age 5, but didn't pick up as a goaltender until age 12.

 

[craigcaulks*]

Doesn't take much to be the starting goalie for the leafs.

It's taken 155 threads and we still haven't gotten Luongo the starting job.

 

[craigcaulks*]

I think I heard or read that Komisarek started at like 14 or something

I heard he just hasn't gotten any better since 14.

 

[JKinCLE]

I'm 22 and taking "beginning ice hockey" in my last semester as an undergrad. So obviously I'm going to say 22 is the cutoff age.