Ron Maclean is a world-class ice hockey player, Olympian, and entrepreneur. He’s also one of the oldest active professional hockey players. Now 73 years old, Maclean plays for the Colorado Avalanche and still spends a lot of time in the gym working out. He’s also the founder and CEO of Ron Maclean Holdings Ltd., which owns several companies in the fitness and tech arenas.
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The Hockey Career That Never Ends
Maclean was born December 17, 1944 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a youth, he played hockey from an early age and became interested in the financial side of the game. After leaving the University of Colorado in 1968, he worked for various investment banks and investment firms in Canada and for the Chicago Board Options Exchange for 17 years. In 1987, he founded Maclean Holdings with his business partner Bill Butler, who had worked with him at the SRO Clearing Authority in Chicago.
Like many hockey players before him, Maclean wanted to continue playing at the highest level so he could pursue a professional hockey career. However, because of his age, he had to take a backseat on the active roster and was instead given a spot on the Colorado Avalanche’s (Avalanche) coaching staff. He’s been with the team ever since and still serves as a consultant to the franchise.
How Old Is Stan Mikita?
Another notable name on this list is Stan Mikita, who at 73 years old (as of 2020) is still playing professional hockey. Mikita played 19 seasons in the NHL, accumulating 114 goals and 186 assists for 3004 points. He’s currently an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks and has a front office position with the team. Mikita continues to play professionally because he enjoys it and wants to stay active.
Mikita has always been known as one of the best defensemen of his generation and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. After his playing career, he worked as a scout for the Blackhawks and the New York Rangers before becoming a coach. He started his coaching career with the Rangers, serving as an assistant coach for four years (1986-1990). Mikita then spent three seasons (1991-1993) as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins and went on to become the head coach of the Nashville Predators for five seasons (1994-1999).
When Will Arpons And Ron Toivio Be Available For Selection?
Another interesting name that you might recognize is Arpons, who at 69 years old (as of 2020) is the manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was previously a player with the Montreal Canadiens and the Los Angeles Kings, accumulating 16 goals and 48 assists in 687 NHL games. Arpons joined the Lightning in 2015 and has helped the team improve its possession stats by about three percentage points (from 51.9 percent to 48.7 percent) during his tenure.
Similarly, Ron Toivio is 64 years old (as of 2020) and has been part of the Buffalo Sabres’ organization for the last 37 years. He started his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1977 and went on to play for several other NHL teams. He currently serves as the director of hockey operations for the team. Toivio has been involved in the hockey world for long enough to remember when the NHL didn’t have electronic scoreboards (nowadays, everyone has them), so he can help out with old-school things like pully sheets and checking stats.
The Veterans Among Us
Many of the guys on this list have been around the hockey diamond for so long that they know what they’re doing. Others, like Maclean, Mikita, and Arpons, still have the ability to contribute at an elite level. But it’s important to note that this is a group of guys who have chosen to continue playing professionally into their 70s and 80s. They enjoy the challenge of keeping their bodies physically prepared for another season or two of ice hockey. They also enjoy the mental stimulation involved in keeping their minds and tactics fresh as they approach the end of their career.
The Importance Of Mental Endurance
Aging nicely doesn’t mean that you have to stop learning or adapting to new situations. The brain remains incredibly pliable and able to grow new neural pathways as it changes. This is a critical component of staying mentally sharp as you get older.
As you get closer to the end of your career, the mental demands on your behalf will increase. You’ll have to learn to be more efficient and to utilize your time better. This will, in turn, make you a more valuable asset to your team. So it’s important that you continue developing the mental attitude that you will succeed in the face of adversity. This means being confident in yourself and believing in your abilities even when the odds appear to be against you.
The Early Start
Another critical factor to staying mentally alert as you get older is to have a regular exercise routine. The human body is a temple and needs to be treated as such. Consuming the right food and getting adequate sleep are essential for maintaining a healthy mind and body. The earlier you establish these pillars of wellness, the better. Beginning your fitness routine at an early age will help you establish good habits that will serve you well in later life. It will also make it easier to stay motivated throughout the year when you’re not used to making frequent changes to your routine.
Stay Connected To The Sport
The above paragraphs speak for themselves. Keeping your body and mind active is paramount to maintaining your mental acuity as you age. Apart from the fact that being physically fit is mentally challenging, it forces you to learn new things and use your brain. This is exactly what the mentally alert and agile will be doing when their body is no longer able to keep up, so staying connected to the sport is essential.
The Final Word
No matter what your age, it’s never too late to start taking care of your mental health. There are plenty of opportunities to play and to coach in the NHL, and it’s important to continue enjoying the sport you love and being a part of something that is so special.