What Sits In Their Driveways?

A car is a car. Some say that a car can tell a lot about the driver. Some others believe that it represents their lot in life. If you are like me, you look, you pant and you dream.

I was sitting at my computer the other day when I landed on the Autotrader website. One of the articles on the site was about athletes and their vehicles. Before I could say ‘transport’ my fingers jumped onto the keys and an article about NHL players and their rides came onto the screen. Before I knew it, once again, I was staring and drooling at the impressive cars some of them own. Just to let you all know–I also stop and stare at beautiful and exotic cars when I see them on the streets or when I notice them parked. I usually look, pant, dream and then walk away.

There are two sides to this car buying stint. Some players drive vehicles that no one notices while others go the whole mile and drive classic and expensive cars. I guess being in the press all the time makes some drivers pray to be left alone when driving? Who (as in the public) really needs the hoopla when a player gets spotted and then the crowds fall upon his car, especially when it happens to be the car in front of you?   Just thinking of another ‘traffic jam’ makes me want a horse and buggy!

So who owns the everyday and blah(ish) cars? Alexander Ovechkin has a custom Mercedes. Instead of buying a new car he painted it a nice blue.  That is a loyal Mercedes lover!  Matt Niskanen drives his 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. He didn’t jump and buy himself a hot vehicle when he could afford it. The one and only Sidney Crosby drives a Range Rover. Really he does! These three players can pass you on the street and you would never know it. Being famous and wealthy sometimes means a desire to be left alone with your thoughts, your music and your family/friends.

On the other side of the puck there are the older players and the players who buy the expensive vehicles. Donald Brashear who retired in 2010 owes a Lamborghini Gallardo and so does Teemu Selanne. Selanne played for 21 seasons and his driveway is still full of high-end vehicles. His garage is a virtual ‘who’s who’ of cars. Some players like Vincent Lecavalier drive a Ferrari 360 Spider. His other car is a Hummer H2. What a 4×4, the ultimate in over the road driving! My favorite 4×4 is the older Hummer!

Does the vehicle help make the man or does the man make the vehicle? Do you believe that the choices in vehicles says something of the personality of the player and the team they play on?

In the end does it really matter what any of the players are driving as long as they are driving the puck away from their own nets and into the net of their opponents?