Jonathan Quick and the 9 Most Coincidental Names in Hockey

The inspiration for this list is the legendary Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt. Bolt holds three Olympic golds along with multiple world records, and is often referred to as the fastest man in the world. Having the qualities of a bolt of lightning, Bolt has definitely lived up to his "punny" last name.

This got me thinking about which players in the NHL hold clever names that match their playing styles, personas and physical features.

Here are the nine most coincidental names in recent hockey history.  

Warning: This list will contain very bad puns.

Miroslav Satan

I'm not sure if it is the eyebrows, face structure or maybe something else, but nevertheless, Miroslav Satan definitely embodies the persona of the Biblical figure of Satan.

Nothing against the guy as he probably is a very nice person, but his face just reminds me of a cartoonish figure of the Devil.

Satan had a career year in 2002-2003 when he posted 75 points with the Buffalo Sabres. After leaving the NHL in 2010, he has played in both the KHL and Slovakian leagues.   

Cam Ward

Cam Ward made his way to the No. 1 position in Carolina by putting up an extremely impressive Stanley Cup run that saw Carolina lift its first ever Stanley Cup. Ward has been the starter for the Hurricanes since.

The verb "ward" is defined as, "to avert, repel or turn aside." Cam Ward's abilities as a goaltender matchup perfectly with the definition of his last name. 

Niklas Kronwall

Niklas Kronwall is known for being a force to be reckoned with on the blue line for the Detroit Red Wings.

Kronwall looks to be the next No. 1 defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings after the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom.

Needless to say, the force of Kronwall's checks reminds everyone watching of a player skating directly into a brick wall. Look for this wall to anchor the defense here for years to come. 

Cal Clutterbuck

Cal Clutterbuck was the league leader in hits this past season with 336 "bucks." Known for being a hard and clean hitter, Clutterbuck lives up to his last name by bucking his opponents around the ice.

I would call this coincidence slightly onomatopoetic.   

Alexandre Burrows

I'm probably going to get attacked by Canucks fans for this one.

Burrows is infamously known for his bite against Patrice Begeron in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Burrows' use of his chompers makes him an easy candidate for comparison to a burrowing animal such as a mole or a buck-toothed rabbit.  

Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas may not seem like the best candidate for this list. However, when you think about the famous locomotive Thomas the Tank Engine and his signature phrase, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can," it applies perfectly to Tim Thomas' playing career.

Thomas waited nine years after being drafted before he played his first professional hockey game and almost 13 years before he played over 40 games in a season.

Now with accolades, records and wins galore, Thomas perfectly embodies the little engine that could. 

Jordin Tootoo

Jordin Tootoo is known for being a pest.

Sometimes he is regarded as being a dirty player and a cheapshotter. Either way, Tootoo is very much able of putting on big hits such as the one in the video above. Some might even say he "tattoos" his opponents, a very effective rhyme for his last name. If "tattoo" doesn't do it for you, Tootoo could also be attributed to a train coming.

Either way, Tootoo has a very clever name for a pest and a big hitter. 

Derek Boogaard

The recently deceased but never to be forgotten Derek Boogaard was the most feared fighter in the NHL.

Standing at 6'7" and having the reach to topple any man, Booagaard earned the rightful nickname of "The Boogie Man."

Boogaard was a scary fight for any enforcer who dared drop the gloves with him. Next time Matt Cooke lays a cheap shot on a star player, I hope he remembers that The Boogie Man is always watching. 

Jonathan Quick

For a goaltender, agility and reflexes are key. Even the best positional goaltenders need to make quick, sprawling saves in order to keep their teams in the game.

That's why rising young goaltender Jonathan Quick has the best coincidental nickname in the NHL.

Quick has won the starting job in Los Angeles for the past two seasons because of the solid numbers he puts up every night. No other position in the NHL needs the reflexes and quickness that a goaltender does.

Also, for a slightly interesting hockey anomaly involving Quick, watch this video.