Official Site of Darcy Hordichuk

The Iceman teaches Darcy a few tricks

Former Nashville Predator Darcy Hordichuk trades in the penalty box for The Pit this summer. Now, he’s hoping training with the Iceman will make him better on the ice.

These days, Darcy Hordichuk is far from his altar boys days growing up in Canada.

The NHL forward is now on the Central Coast training with UFC superstar Chuck Liddell, his trainer John Hackelman and the rest of The Pit fight team. Hordichuk actually sought out Hackelman to improve his hockey game.

“John, I think, is one of the best trainers in the world and [has] produced some of the best fighters in the world,” Hordichuk said about his reason for contacting Hackelman. “In hockey, there is a lot of fighting, and that’s sort of my role. The guys nowadays are getting a lot bigger and stronger, and I’m always going to stay my same size, so I thought, why not get the edge and come train here at The Pit with John?”

Added Hackelman about his newest client’s progress, “His punching power has probably increased five times. Just by the turn of the hip and whipping the shoulder around.”

Dropping the gloves was the reason Hordichuk got his shot in the NHL, and the reason he’s stayed for nine seasons in the league.

“I knew that if I wanted to make in the NHL I wasn’t skilled enough to put the puck in the net and my skating at the time was all right. But I said, you know, if I want to play with the big boys, I’ve got to be one of the big boys,” said Hordichuk.

One of Darcy’s biggest hits while training at The Pit was when he got a few pointers from the man himself, Chuck Liddell.

“It brings a smile to my face. Obviously I need pictures to prove it, because obviously everyone back home doesn’t believe this small kid that grew up on a farm that wasn’t supposed to play in the NHL all of a sudden is training with one of the best fighters in the world,” said Hordichuk.

It is safe to say when Hordichuk hits the ice next season he will be one of the most feared altar boys out there.

“His punching power is a lot better. I think he’s going to drop some guys on the ice,” predicted Hackelman.

“If I can’t punch beat them up on the ice, I’ll choke a hold on the ice,” joked Hordichuk about his new skills.

Source: KSBY.com