Former NHL tough guy Donald Brashear wasn't afraid to drop the gloves throughout his 16-year NHL career. But now it appears as though he's eager to put them back on. Only this time, they will be a pair of mixed martial arts gloves.
The 39-year-old has signed a deal with Ringside MMA, according to USA Today, that guarantees the enforcer at least one fight. The fight could take place on June 4 at the Quebec Coliseum as part of the Ringside 11 card.
It's not the first time that Brashear has explored fighting outside the rink. During the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, Brashear recorded a 2-1 record as an amateur boxer and trained with boxing legend Joe Frasier.
Brashear played for five different teams throughout his NHL career — the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers. He never scored more than 11 goals in a single season and became mostly known for his tendency to throw down with anyone who accepted the challenge.
Brashear finished among the top 10 in penalty minutes five times throughout his NHL career, including leading the league with 372 in 1997-1998. He's 15th on the all-time penalty minutes list with 2634 minutes — or almost two full days — spent in the sin bin.
The 6-foot-3 bruiser is currently playing in the semipro Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey.
