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Brett Hull says teammates are at fault for T.J. Oshie missing practice

Brett Hull

Hall of Famer, and former St. Louis Blues Brett Hull acknowledges the cheering fans during the pregame ceremony for Brett Hull Hall of Fame Night before an NHL hockey game between the Calgary Flames and the St. Louis Blues, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in St. Louis.(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

AP

St. Louis Blues Hall of Famer Brett Hull has never been a guy to mince words. While most people will know Hull for being quick with his shots on the ice, Hull was the originator of the big blasts off it as well.

With Blues forward T.J. Oshie getting into some trouble lately by missing practice and then getting sat down for the next two games by the team for doing so, Hull was asked for his take on the situation.

Hull, never being a guy to not share his opinion, was more than happy to share his thoughts on Oshie’s unexcused absence and as usual, Hull offered his own peculiar take. Jeremy Rutherford of The St. Louis Dispatch shares with us how Hull thinks that the concept of team doesn’t just apply on the ice.

“I don’t know what the reason is, why he missed,” Hull said. “But to me, I put less blame on him and blame his teammates. When we played together ... (Kelly Chase), (Adam Oates) and (Brendan Shanahan) ... we took care of each other. That never would have happened. Someone would have been at his house getting him up and getting him to practice.

“So to me, I would blame more the teammates than I would him. You’ve got to take care of each other, especially that team. They’re so young. They’ve got such an opportunity to bond together and be a great team. There’s so much talent there. They’ve got to take care of each other in those situations off the ice.”


So much for personal responsibility. Imagine trying to pull that excuse when you’re a kid and missed practice and you told coach that you didn’t make it to practice because your parents didn’t wake you up. Good luck on that. For what it’s worth, Hull did go on to say that “something has to done” about this and that Oshie likely got the scare of his life screwing up in such a way.

Hull is his own guy and his take is interesting from the perspective that he’s been there before and he knows how it goes. Of course the other side of that says that he’s OK with Oshie not taking matters into his own hands the way he should because his teammates should be there to kick down his door to make sure he’s up and ready for practice.

I know Oshie is still a young guy but let’s get serious here, they’re still all professionals and playing hockey is one hell of a great way to make a lavish living. If getting out of bed in the morning is a problem, then perhaps Oshie should reexamine his priorities. If you think we’re being tough on him, just imagine what Doug Armstrong and Davis Payne have said. Here’s to hoping Oshie gets it figured out, or gets a better alarm clock.