NHL Players: Fun Anatomy Lessons Quiz

Answer: Rick Chinnick

The chin is the bottom of the human head and a nick is a tiny wound, so "Chin" + "Nick" = Rick Chinnick. Yes, I had that much time to think of that! Anyways, Rick Chinnick was drafted into the NHL 41st overall by the Minnesota North Stars, way back in 1973.

He was also drafted into the WHA 77th overall, in the same year's draft. He chose the NHL, and there were mixed results over whether or not he made the right choice. In his NHL "career", Chinnick played in only four games, recording only two assists. Most likely he never injured his chin, but he certainly has a fun name to remember.

Answer: Stanislav Neckar

The neck is the body part which the skull rests on. Without the neck, head rotation would not be possible. Stanislav Neckar was a prospect from the Czech Republic in the early 1990s. Because of his attention from scouts, he turned some heads, figuratively.

His name was very similar to the body part. Stanislav Neckar was drafted by Ottawa, 29th overall in the 1994 entry draft. Neckar finished his career in 2003, having played in 510 games, recording 12 goals and 41 assists.

Answer: Jeff Finger

Yes, Jeff Finger was the player I could not quite "point out". He was drafted 240th overall by Colorado in 1999, and while it was most likely not his fingers for which he was drafted, having fingers certainly helped. How else could he have gripped his hockey stick? Finger did not see action in the NHL until the 2006-07 season, and since then, he has played full time for both the Avalanche and the Maple Leafs.

Interestingly enough, Finger was on the Avalanche squad when the team re-acquired Adam Foote from the Blue Jackets. So, the team had both Finger and Foote, priceless!

Answer: Michal Handzus

Zeus was the great Greek god, and Michal Handzus was the NHL player who combined parts of human anatomy with misspelled mythology. Handzus was drafted 101st overall by St. Louis in 1995. In his career, he was consistently a healthy, solid performer who could almost always put up at least 40 points a year.

He was never a prolific goal-scorer, but he could still score the right goals at the right times.

Answer: Colby Armstrong

The arm is essential for the human body, especially for a hockey player. That's why it has to be strong. Colby Armstrong (Arm + Strong), was drafted 21 overall by Pittsburgh, in 2001. In his very first season with the Penguins, his strong arms could already be seen through his play.

He scored 16 goals and added 24 helpers to record 40 points in only 47 games. His goal ability was witnessed in the 2008-09 season when he recorded 22 goals and 18 helpers. Colby Armstrong is not the only NHL player who ever had Armstrong as a last name.

There was Bill Armstrong, Bob Armstrong, Chris Armstrong, Derek Armstrong, George Armstrong, Murray Armstrong, "Red" Armstrong, Riley Armstrong, and Tim Armstrong. Interestingly enough, all of the Armstrong's played at least seven seasons in the NHL, with some going as long as 20 seasons.

Answer: Michael Peca

Pectoral muscles are the muscles located on either side of the chest. The best exercises to make them bigger are push-ups, and weight-lifting. It's tough work to toughen those muscles, but it pays off when it's developed enough. Michael Peca was originally drafted 40th overall in 1992, by the Vancouver Canucks. Peca has played for the Canucks, the Sabres, the Islanders, the Oilers, the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jackets, recording over 450 points in the meantime.

He only ever played one 82-game season without injury.

He also appeared in two Stanley Cup finals, however, he was on the losing side each time. He most likely had strong pecs, because an NHL player would never survive without strong muscles in today's NHL.

Answer: Rich Hart

The heart is the central organ of the circulatory system. To say someone has a rich heart is to say that they are an almost perfect, compassionate person. Contrary to his name, however, Rich Hart liked to get penalties in games, a lot of them. In three games for the AHL's Rochester Americans in 1976-77, for example, he recorded 48 penalty minutes. Rich Hart was born on October 5, 1952.

He never played in the NHL, but he played a few games in the WHA, the competitor of the NHL. Rich Hart played for the Binghamton Bulls and recorded zero points. Had I not been in a hunt for anatomical player names, this player's name would likely have disappeared into obscurity.

Answer: Manny Legace

The leg is an essential part of a goaltender's body and to ace something is to master it and become proficient. Coincidentally, that's where Manny Legace (Leg + ace) comes in. Manny Legace, had strong leg muscles, like most other NHL goalies. Legace started out as a Hartford Whalers draft pick in 1993.

It was not until the 1998-99 season that he even got a glimpse of NHL action. He played 17 games for the Kings that year before going to the Red Wings. Legace then played 6 seasons for the team before moving on to the Blues. Finally, in 2008-09, Legace was placed on waivers for his average play.

Answer: Adam Foote

The foot is the on the bottom of the leg. It is an essential part of the body mobility and without it, life would be excruciatingly difficult. Adam Foote was drafted 22nd overall in the 1989 draft by the Nordiques of Quebec. Foote has played in over 1000 NHL games, more than highlighting his apparent defensive abilities, and perhaps his very strong feet.

Interestingly enough, the 2007-08 Colorado Avalanche were an anatomically oriented team. Not only was Adam Foote on the team, another player named Jeff Finger was also on the team.

Answer: Hector "Toe" Blake

The toe, if anatomically correct, should be the largest digit on the human foot. A boss would be called the "big toe" so "Toe" Blake was the big toe of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1930s and 40s. He played in 577 games for only Montreal franchises, recording a then amazing total of 527 points.

He also won several Stanley Cups as a player. He then took over the Canadiens bench in 1955 and held the coaching position until 1968. In his 13-season tenure behind the bench of Les Habitants, "Toe" Blake won eight Stanley Cups, and appeared in nine total Stanley Cup finals.

He was a big player, and an even bigger coach. He was, in essence, the big toe during the Montreal Canadiens dynasty years.