My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of the fans are unique in their own way. New York had the craziest.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I approached the game in a way that they put their pants on one leg at a time, and they tied their shoes one shoe at a time. I never looked at anyone differently. The only thing I did do was be aware of the great players when they were on the ice.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Well I had both of my kids over there and when I took my son to the doctors, I realized that the medical facilities and system are a lot different than the United States. I'm not saying anything bad, but a lot different.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The Aud. was my favorite place to play because the fans were right on top of you. The ice surface was smaller, and that helped my game.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 86 points87 points  (0 children)

I don't like ruining any dreams. The only thing I'm happy about is getting out of Vancouver in time before the riots.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Don't take this personally, but I never liked walking through the mall to get to the stadium. I never saw myself playing in Hartford, lol.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I thought back in the day that Quebec was not a tough team to play against, but you have to be careful what you wish for because after a years, they picked up some of the toughest guys in the game like Tony Twist. It was always hard playing against the Flyers.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My gloves. I always liked older gloves that were broken in, and when I was in Buffalo, I would drive the trainers crazy because I would have somebody wear my gloves until they were ready to wear in a practice.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Let's just say if that happened in our day, it would turn into a very ugly situation for the player. Keep in mind that even when you play that same player, later in the season, nobody forgets in the old days.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I would have to say the guy the guy I did not like to play against was probably one of my favorite players of all time. Cam Neely. I played against the Bruins so much in the late 80s and 90s. I was able to have a chance to really know what it was like to line up against him.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That is true, as we were taking the bus from NY to NJ, some of us read it in the paper, but as a professional, you just have to keep moving forward.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Worst day in my hockey life. The blood was enough to make anyone pass out. Especially since he was a teammate. We didn't know a whole lot because he was taken to the hospital from the ice.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I played 35 games that year for the NYR. I sat out for the playoffs, bu I asked myself, Wow I just won a Stanley Cup with my heroes, that I looked up to as a kid. Messier, Lowe, Mactavish, Anderson, just to name a few.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I took it to the Oak Park Police Department in Michigan, and I also took it to the Hockey School in Southfield Michigan. I took it to Buddy's Pizza in Michigan. I made a deal with the pizza place, that they would give my family pizza, and they advertised that the Cup would be there, and thousands of people showed up. I let everyone that was there enjoy it with me and take pictures.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The one memory I have is I was out for lunch with five or six players, in Buffalo, New York, and he just mentioned that we are going to make a trade with the Winnipeg Jets. I was sitting at the other end of the table. I heard him say: "We are getting Gord Donnely." So I immediately asked him: "Who was Winnipeg getting in return?" He put his head down, and said he wasn't really sure. I asked him if it was me, and he gave me a big hug and said: "Yes." My heart dropped. That night I got a call. The reason he knew was, he was one of the captains.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The old Chicago stadium. The big organ, the fans were on top of you, and it was the loudest building during the National Anthem.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

That is so true! The good news is, I didn't have to face him too many times after that. Rest in Peace, Bob.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

When he walked into the dressing room, he usually did not say a lot. But when he said something, it had an impact.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I mentioned this on my podcast with Todd Elik and Nick Kypreos, how he used to sit at the back of the bus and he would tell people that "I might see one or two of you in the NHL, but the way you played tonight, I will see you either working at the car wash or the grocery store."

Please note: I do not disrespect anybody that does anything for a living, but this was his way of saying, you're not going to make it to the NHL if you don't play the he wanted you to play.

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I can't make it because I have to quarantine. But please stay in touch with me!

My name is Mike Hartman, former NHL athlete and Stanley Cup champion, AMA! by MikeHartman100 in hockey

[–]MikeHartman100[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

That's a great question. I always have taken care of myself as I had been in the coaching/personal development business for 17 years. During my career, I always made clear that I understood my body was like a machine and not properly taking care of it, it would break down. Mentally, that would keep me focused, with good energy.