Brent Sopel is currently playing in his 18^th season of professional hockey, and showing no signs of slowing down. 

Throughout his career, including 15 seasons in the NHL, Sopel amassed 659 games split between the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, and Montreal Canadiens, hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2010 as a member of the Blackhawks. 

This season, Sopel is back playing in Chicago; for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.  The last time Sopel played in the AHL was 14 years ago during the 1999-2000 season as a member of the Syracuse Crunch. 

Sopel has noticed how the league has changed since making his return.  “There’s a lot more teams in different places now,” said Sopel.  Last time he played in the AHL, there were only 19 teams.  Now the League is comprised of 30.  “The game is different too, with the rule changes.  Being older, you really notice how young the league is.” 

Sopel, 37, said his age won’t slow him down as his goal is to make a return to the NHL.  “It’s a goal of mine to make it back there.  It’s the best league in the world and I had a great time-winning the Stanley Cup.”  He recognizes that some people may see his age as a detriment, but that has added to his determination.  “There’s been a lot of doubters in my career.  It’s those people that you want to prove wrong.  Everyone needs to have a goal in life that’s achievable.  If I don’t achieve it, I’ll still push forward and try.”

Sopel last appeared in the NHL in 2011 for the team he cheered for growing up; the Montreal Canadiens.  After the season, Sopel left North America to play in Russia in the KHL.  “I didn’t want a lockout to be the end of my career, so I chose to leave a bit early before the lockout and get a jump on things.”  Sopel played three seasons in the KHL including the lockout shortened NHL season.  “I went through a lockout in 2004-05 and lost a whole NHL season.  In that lockout around 250 players ended their careers.  I wanted a contract and I didn’t want that to be me.” 

Although he enjoyed his time in Russia, Sopel realized it was time to return home this year.  “I was away from my kids for 3 years and that was difficult.  It’s just a different game in North America with the smaller ice surface and more physically.  It’s what I grew up playing and my style of hockey.”

Upon returning home, the Chicago Wolves offered him a contract that would enable Sopel to play in the city that he has grown to love.  Sopel played three seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks including being a key shot blocking and penalty killing specialist for the 2010 Stanley Cup champions.  He also scored an important goal in game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals against Philadelphia that lead to a “History Will Be Made” commercial.

During his day with the Stanley Cup, Sopel took it to the Chicago Gay Pride Parade in honor of Brendan Burke.  While a member of the Vancouver Canucks, Brian Burke was the General Manager, and Sopel was able to spend some time with Brian’s son Brendan, getting to know him on a personal level.  Brendan was the first individual in the hockey community to speak against homophobia in professional sports.  “I wanted to honor him and his life for what he did.  You have to do the right thing.  I hope today that people are more open-minded.”

With age comes experience and the Chicago Wolves are benefiting both on and off the ice from having Sopel’s veteran presence around the team.  “In certain situations, its important to be there for a young player whether that be pointing out a certain player or giving feedback to help the coaches.” 

The AHL is a development league producing nearly 83% of the NHL’s player pool at the beginning of the 2014-15 season.  Sopel’s presence with the Wolves is helping the young players develop and mature in a number of different ways.  “Hopefully I help them learn the tricks of the trade and they make the jump to the NHL.”

In 2007, while with the Chicago Blackhawks, Sopel gave advice to then rookie Patrick Kane.  He told Kane that he had to buy bottles of wine for every member of the team when he scored his first goal.  Although Kane was under the legal age to buy alcohol in the US, he recruited his father to buy the wine for the whole team.  “That’s a great thing for him that he listened, he deserves credit.”  This shows the influence that Sopel can have on young players and team culture.

In addition to on-ice performance, Sopel believes that young players need to get familiar with their off-ice responsibilities.  “The PHPA is definitely important for players.  It’s the only union in the minor leagues.”  The PHPA represents 1,600 players across 58 teams throughout the AHL and ECHL.  “The union ensures that players are educated to make the right decisions.  It’s good for everybody, especially with CBA negotiations coming up.”

While Sopel’s focus is on playing his best for the Wolves this season, he has also been planning for a career after hockey.  He has been involved in broadcasting with NBC for the Chicago Blackhawks playoff run and Stanley cup parade in 2013.  He currently works for 120 Sports as an NHL analyst in between his schedule with the Wolves.  “I hope to continue with broadcasting and get better at it.”

Sopel has had an adventurous professional hockey career, however, the final chapters haven’t been written yet.  The journey continues.