Wednesday, February 26, 2014

TODD FEDORUK

He was known as "Fridge" and there was no mistaking his role.  Todd Fedoruk was a tough guy.  He was originally a seventh-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers who honed his physical game and became a rough 'n' tumble customer for ten seasons in the NHL.

He lived the goon life off the ice, too.  He had been clean for years before the Wild picked him up off waivers from Dallas in 2007.  In his lone year with the Wild, he had one of his most productive NHL seasons.  He had six goals and was a steady physical presence for the 2007-08 Wild club - the franchise's lone division champion to date - and stepped up his game even further in the playoffs.

He also fell off the wagon, partying 'til all hours with old friend and new teammate Derek Boogaard.  While Boogaard and fellow enforcers Rick Rypien and Wade Belak all succumbed to their demons in a short span, Fedoruk was spared.  He was a lucky one.  After his playing career ended in 2010, he got help.  He got clean.  Since then he has spent some time in coaching and has, by all accounts, stayed sober.

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