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Hoisting the Stanley Cup , perhaps the most revered trophy in all of sports , epitomizes the pinnacle of success in the National Hockey League . And , for Kris Draper , nicknamed “ Nailz ” for his energizing 20-year career — the majority of which was spent with the Detroit Red Wings during their glory years in Hockeytown — lifting Lord Stanley ’ s chalice was a lifelong dream whose reality far exceeded his expectations .
“ Definitely the greatest feeling as a hockey player that I ever felt ,” he says . “ I remember in 1997 at Joe Louis Arena , Joe Kocur called my name and handed me the cup and said , ‘ Go for a lap .’ I remember grabbing the cup from Joey , raising it over my head , and realizing this is the greatest moment in my hockey career . You dream about this as a kid all the time and when you play in juniors , that ’ s all you ever think about ... the time when you can grab the Stanley Cup and skate around the rink with it . It was an unbelievable feeling .” Draper would realize that feeling three more times while wearing the Red Wings jersey .
Perhaps his finest season on the ice was in 2003-2004 when he scored 24 goals and tallied 40 points , helping Detroit win the Presidents ’ Trophy as the NHL team with the highest point total during the regular season . Not to be outdone , Draper ’ s defensive exploits were recognized as well . The West Hill , Ontario , native won the prestigious Frank J . Selke Trophy that same year , given to the sport ’ s top defensive forward .
The competitive fires that burned so deeply in Draper during his illustrious hockey career have now been transferred to the pickleball court , where even his opponents across the net wonder if he ’ s envisioning himself back on the ice at Joe Louis Arena . He plays hard , just as he did when he wore the # 33 sweater for the Red Wings . Taking up pickleball , however , took some convincing .
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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 | MAGAZINE 37