In Memoriam: Malenko

[pennypenny 227]

In Memoriam: Malenko

 

            To everyone reading, I just want to say thank you for reading. First off, Robert Malenko is not dead – but his hockey career is over. A man that put in a lot of effort over his time in the league and worked towards the major goal of winning it all. He did manage to win it all, but at the cost of his legacy. Malenko let loose and stopped caring about hockey after his trade to HC Davos, and later to the New York Americans. He lost his passion and drive in the sport, and almost gave up early.

 

He would’ve retained his legacy if he had given up early though. He wouldn’t have tainted it at the end. Being put on a new team in the DC Dragons really put a stop to his career, since he had his worst season with only 33 points. Had Malenko just retired a season earlier, he would’ve finished his career with 6 full seasons in the VHL, and a record of 120 goals, 357 assists, for a total of 477 points in 432 games. A defenseman with a 1.1 PPG average going out on top. A triple club member as well – a true Hall of Fame lock. But he gave it up and didn’t do as well as he could.

 

It’s always a thought. How would Malenko have finished his career if he cared in his twilight? Would he have been a HoF lock? Would he have been a failure regardless of his drive level? Or would he have been one of those players that just never ever make it. The hall of very good. I guess we will never know the true answer.