McDonagh, Brunette Talk Keys to Longevity in the NHL

Andrew Brunette

Nashville's new bench boss knows plenty about longevity in the NHL. Brunette wrapped up his on ice NHL experience with 1110 professional games under his belt, including 77 games with the Nashville Predators in their inaugural season. Since retiring, Brunette has been an assistant coach, interim coach, assistant GM, and now a head coach back in Nashville. 

When asked about reaching his 1000 game milestone, Brunette said, "It was a little bit like an obituary. It kind of becomes reflective and a little bit melancholy because you're like, it's been that long? It has mixed emotions."

"You're extremely proud of the number," he said. 

So what is the key to that kind of longevity in the NHL? Brunette believes it is a combination of things that all springs from a deep passion for the sport. 

"Love of the game," Brunette said. "I think you have to love the game to play it as long as he [O'Reilly] has. It's a grind. It's hard. One, it's hard to make. Two, it's hard to stay healthy. Three, to have your will for that long and that many games is special."

Ryan McDonagh

While Ryan McDonagh hasn't hit that thousand game mark (yet), he knows what it takes to have a long and successful career in the NHL. Tonight's game in Vancouver marks 863 games since the St. Paul native made his NHL debut on January 7, 2011. 

McDonagh acknowledges that players need plenty of help to last in the NHL. 

"You need a lot of help along the way," McDonagh said, "A lot of trainers to keep your body in a position where you can keep playing."

Environment matters, too when it comes to success and longevity. 

According to McDonagh, being a part of good teams and finding success make the grind of the NHL season easier. Success is something McDonagh knows a lot about having been a captain for the New York Rangers and winning two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

It isn't just on ice success that makes for a good environment according to McDonagh.  Being wanted by teams matters too, and McDonagh is a player that the Predators front office definitely wanted to lend a successful and experience voice to the locker room when he came to Nashville in July, 2022. 

McDonagh agrees with Brunette that loving the game is key to a long NHL career. 

"I think always having fun, enjoying the game, wanting to come to the rink and get better," McDanagh said when asked what is most important when it comes to lasting in the NHL.  

"No matter how long you play in this league, you want to keep improving yourself."

Tonight McDonagh, O'Reilly, and head coach Andrew Brunette looked to use their experience to help the Nashville Predators get a win against the Vancouver Canucks on the road.