Imrem: John Scott story much bigger than NHL
John Scott … savior!
So, you ask, who is he and what's he saving?
How about John Scott is a hockey player and he's saving pro sports all-star games generally and this weekend's NHL All-Star Game specifically.
Somewhere the late Reggie Fleming, a 1960s-era Blackhawks tough guy, must be drinking a cold one to all this.
Purists instinctively want Scott to turn down his only opportunity to play in an All-Star Game.
Critics point out that Scott has played in 285 NHL games and compiled a total of 5 goals and 6 assists.
Those critics are missing the point: Fans tapped their computer keys and voted Scott an all-star because they like what he brings to the sport.
Also because they wanted to have some fun at the expense of the hockey establishment.
Now I might even watch the NHL All-Star Game just because Scott's inclusion has raised a ruckus.
Scott brings a two-fisted approach that has earned him 542 penalty minutes. His specialty is protecting smaller, better teammates whose bodies and space were violated.
That's what Scott did for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane while playing 69 regular-season games for the Hawks a few years ago.
When Scott dropped the gloves and stuck up for the Hawks, it was invigorating to see how much pain a 6-foot-8, 260-pounder could inflict.
Full disclosure: As much as I endorse fighting in hockey, I do turn away when blood starts gushing, teeth go flying and heads start concussing.
Still, the concept of intimidating hockey pugilists must be appealing because crowds come alive every time — every single time — goons test each other.
Scott has to like punching guys because he does it instead of using his mechanical engineering degree from Michigan Tech to support his wife and kids.
As for the NHL All-Star Game, let's face it, this event usually puts the dead into the dead of winter. The league is even resorting to 3-on-3 hockey to revive it this year.
More likely to revive it would be Scott creaming a few snooty stars, stripping naked “Slap Shot”-style and hoisting the game's MVP trophy.
Ah, but Scott has too much class to embarrass the NHL in such a big way on such a big stage.
“I keep having to remind people,” the Detroit Free Press quoted Scott this week as saying, “I've been playing in the NHL for eight years. I do know how to skate and pass and play hockey.”
No, not all that well. Scott played for the Arizona Coyotes at the time he was voted an all-star. They dumped him on the Montreal Canadiens, who demoted him to the minor-league St. John's Ice Caps.
The NHL, of course, would like Scott to surrender his all-star spot to propriety and he considered doing so.
“But,” he told the Free Press, “I talked to a lot of former tough guys and they said, 'You know what? Just go (play).' ”
So John Scott will and he won't be any more out of place than the ancient Kobe Bryant will be as an NBA all-star next month.
“We're kind of a dying breed,” Scott said of NHL fighters. “So it's paying homage to them.”
To spice up their own all-star game, the NFL should let Marvel action heroes compete in the Pro Bowl. MLB all-stars should play against Second City alums like Bill Murray, and NBA all-stars should challenge the Harlem Globetrotters.
John Scott would be heralded as a pioneer who saved us from the tedium of professional sports all-star games.
mimrem@dailyherald.com