What is latest age to become professional hockey player?

Lover: What is latest age to become professional hockey player?
My husban wants to know, what is the latest age a person can train hard to become a professional hockey player?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Telly
If the greatest hockey player to ever play, Wayne Gretzky could not play with the young guys, it’s safe to say that you have to be pretty young to play pro. They are to fast and to strong for us old timers. I would say, if your over 25 play for fun. My Dad played for the Oilers and I went to school with guys that made it. They were all young and very, very strong. They still didn’t last long. Hockey players are probably the best conditioned athletes. Your husband could possibly be the great exception but I would hate for him to get his hopes up. Anyway, tell him to try but to keep his eyes open! Also tell him, “keep you stick on the ice”!

Answer by RaceNut17
Gordie Howe played into his 50’s

Answer by D F
Play amateur. Better chance there. For the most part, it is a young man’s game.

Answer by Mrs. C
Well usually NHL players start when they’re REAL young…I mean so young they can barely walk. So I’d say most NHL players start when they’re about 2…3 years old?
How old is your husband, for one thing? If you guys are a YOUNG married couple…then maybe. How old? 18, 19, 20? If any of those I would think possible.
First off does he know how to skate? If yes, he’s already off to a better start. Just tell him to not get his hopes up to high, but if you never try you’ll never know what you could have done.

Answer by Spud
Well,, You should start in your early twenties. End: Never.

To good of a game to quit playing.

Answer by Like I’m Telling You Who I A
No player has ever played in the NHL who started training after the age of 14.

So, if he’s younger than 14, he’s got a chance.

If he’s older than 14, his chances are pretty slim.

Answer by senorrobertoe
if your good enough any team will take you they don’t care how old you are, as long as you can get the job done.

Answer by tomjc43
Tell him not to give up his day job.

Answer by Rockin’ Mel S
I presume your husband is already playing hockey or has played at a high level in the past because hockey’s not a game you can decide to start playing late in life if you want to play at the highest levels.

The oldest rookie in NHL history was Connie Madigan he played for St. Louis in the first of his of 20 NHL games on February 6, 1973, against Vancouver at age 38, making him th oldest rookie ever.

That being said, that was a different era and all athletes these days are bigger, stronger, faster and fitter then in the past so I would say it’s more difficult now days for older players.

Now, if he’s a good player and his sights aren’t set on the NHL, he might have a better chance of playing professional hockey elsewhere.

Answer by Ronald S
Considering “professional” means any player that is PAID to play hockey, he has a good chance to get in a league if the talent level is there. If he hasnt played high school or college hockey, then his chances are very slim to get a chance at making a team. Case in point, in the RHI (Roller Hockey International-now defunct) Anaheim won their version of the Stanley Cup in 1993-1994 (I think). Many of the players were recruited by the San Diego Gulls in a professional ice league and it was awful, as many of them never played ice hockey before in their life. San Diego had to get rid of half of the team and start over. Hockey is not all about skills and training, but understand and acquiring a “hockey sense” (i.e. knowing your position and where others should be on the ice).