Former legendary NHL enforcer gets job in sales: hits all-time low

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Daniel Lucente
September 27, 2024 (4:58 PM)

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Donald Brashear was known for his NHL fights and aggressive style of play; however, things have taken a massive turn. He is now employed at a car dealership.

Although NHL players' salaries have often been criticized as being far behind those of other major sports leagues, the players nevertheless make quite a handsome amount. How they handle that money is, of course, entirely their choice. Some athletes invest wisely, securing a financially stable post-career for many years to follow. Others unfortunately make bad choices with regards to finances and find themselves struggling once they retire. That's been the story so many times with guys who retired and didn't handle their earnings well while in the league.

One of the many post-career situations that received attention involves former Montreal Canadiens enforcer Donald Brashear. Fourteen years after retiring from the NHL, Brashear has taken on another career very different from hockey. It was announced via a Facebook page that he started working as a salesman at his local Nissan dealership in Ste-Foy, Quebec, which can be seen below.

Facebook post showcasing Donald Brashear's new career

This could really be a new passion, but it could at the same time suggest something about needing to get a living out of the ice. Who can forget the time just a few years ago when Donald Brashear was working at a Tim Hortons?

Over the span of 17 years in the NHL, Donald Brashear played for the likes of Montreal, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Washington, and New York. A physical type of player, he suited up in 1,025 games and chipped in 205 points, which was impressive for a player that was best known as a tough man. He racked up a whopping 2,634 penalty minutes, making him a fan favorite enforcer. While this popularity does not decrease, his aggressive playing style and restricted opportunities to develop his skills could have influenced his choices for his career after active hockey.

Salaries are much higher for the current NHL players, and current athletes are much better prepared to plan for their futures. Greater financial security, coupled with improved support mechanisms and training in handling finances, has allowed many of today's players to avoid the pitfalls that led so many from a past generation into highly adverse circumstances. The case of Donald Brashear, however, is a reminder that not all former athletes avoid hardness when transitioning into life outside of hockey.

Although it is not fully apparent whether this new job is out of necessity or simply a choice, it showcases a real-life fact, that among the host of famous athletes, once their respective careers come to a close, they too fall into hard times. Hopefully, his new role brings him stability and fulfillment, and he navigates this next chapter of life accordingly. A reminder that is so strong that athletes should take care of their financial planning during the peak of their careers, as this foretells what the future will bring when the cheers are silenced and the spotlight has faded.