Many intriguingly named players exist in the National Hockey League today, but none of them can hold a candle to the greatest name in hockey, Zarley Zalapski. Zalapski, hockey’s own ZZ Top, was one of our childhood heroes here at Funny Names Central. This was not just because of his memorable name, but also his fiery zalapshot. Sorry, slapshot.
Zalapski is of course a legendary hockey player, who to our shock only retired from the game about a year ago. Shock because I remember being about 8 years old and controlling him in an early version of EA Sports’ hockey games.
I think I had this hockey card at one point. I definitely know I wanted his name.
Zalapski made his name with the Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, and continued his career into his forties by moving to Europe and plying his trade in the Swiss league, and later acquiring Swiss citizenship through marriage.
Consequently, Zalapski can now be found as the very last name in the Swiss phone book.
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Now how did I know he had to have played for my Habs? All the best did! Next year my boys, next year. Go Habs Go!
Zalapski was a reserve defenseman after him and Jonas Hoglund were acquired in a trade from Calgary in January, 1998.
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Zalapski was named after golfer Kermit Zarley.