MMA: Georges St. Pierre Makes NHL Fans Jealous

If it were not for a simple twist of fate, and the fact that hockey lessons were more expensive than learning martial arts, Georges St. Pierre could have been a hockey star.

Frankly, I am very glad that he is not.

As Matt Serra has said, "Georges could be a poster boy for Crest toothpaste," with a mouthful of shiny pearly whites and a dynamite smile. 

Also, I am kind of funny about seeing a 27-year-old who has fewer teeth than I have, as is the case with many dedicated NHL players, so I am happy to have GSP in MMA.

Yes, I remember the dramatic loss of a tooth that Karo Parisyan suffered during a match; it's replayed constantly on Spike TV. But I keep praying St. Pierre keeps using superior mouthpieces and does not incur any dental emergencies during the rest of his career.

During an interview for UFC before his second big meeting with Matt Hughes, St. Pierre treated Rachel Leah to an afternoon skating on the ice at the Montreal arena, even presenting her with a beautiful "Les Habs" sweater of his favorite home team with her name on it.

He cuts a very dashing figure on the ice, even though it did not win his undying devotion, which is now held by the UFC. But would clearly have fit in with an outstanding career on ice, had he so chosen.

Last year, leading up to his Montreal meeting with Matt Serra, the hockey players of Montreal were quick to comment on his exceptional fighting skills, which are clearly envied by the warriors on ice.

Grace, athletic ability, speed, daring and versatility are all skills St. Pierre possesses in spades, which, with his competitive spirit, would add up to make an outstanding hockey star.

His propensity for dressing well away from the sport's arena and preference for Dolce and Gabbana couture could only enhance the image of any sport with which he is associated.

Although hockey players are famous for being "chick magnets," St. Pierre, with his movie-star good looks, is no slacker in this category, either, and would doubtlessly bring more female attention to the sport.

Always conducting himself as a gentleman endears him to young women and also older women (ahem) who enjoy watching sports.

Being a real "man's man" would insure "Rush" would have countless male fans as well; I mean, what's not to love about GSP?

I don't know if St. Pierre's final choice to push himself in MMA's direction was solely a financial consideration. Possibly: Since Georges is a professed cinema fan, there were just not that many good hockey films available to fuel his youthful imagination as there were fighting-action films.

Believe me, I am not lamenting his decision at all. 

I am watching the quarterfinals game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks (CSN: Blackhawks Classic, of April, 24, 1994), while I am ruminating and writing this, just thinking how wonderful it is to be able to see so much more of St. Pierre's unique physique revealed in vale tudo shorts than it would be by a hockey ensemble and helmet.

For me, that is reason enough to rejoice the NHL's loss and MMA's gain.