Brian Paul Boyle (born December 18, 1984) is a American professional ice hockey forward for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. He attended St. Sebastian's School in Needham, Massachusetts for high school before moving on to Boston College.

Boyle was drafted in the first round, 26th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played four seasons at Boston College before making his professional debut with the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, in 2007.

In the 2007–08 season, Boyle made his National Hockey League debut with the Kings against the New Jersey Devils on February 2, 2008. He scored his first NHL goal that same night against Martin Brodeur in a 6-3 defeat. He scored four goals in his first seven NHL games, three in his first four.

At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, on June 27, Boyle was traded by the Kings to the New York Rangers for a 3rd round pick in 2009.

During the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs Boyle suffered a concussion after being hit hard by Ottawa Senators' forward Chris Neil. Boyle subsequently missed three games. Earlier in the same series, Ottawa defenceman Matt Carkner received a one-game suspension for repeatedly punching Boyle in the face while Boyle refused to defend himself.

Chris Thorburn (born June 3, 1983) is a professional ice hockey centre currently playing for and an alternate captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.

Thorburn grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, ON playing most of his minor hockey in the Sault Major Hockey Association (NOHA). He played for the Soo Thunder Minor Bantam club before making the jump to Tier II Jr.A. hockey with the Elliot Lake Vikings of the NOJHL.

After an impressive season as a 15-year old in the NOJHL, Thorburn was selected in the first round (6th overall) as an underage by the North Bay Centennials in the 1999 OHL Priority Selection.

He was drafted 50th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. On October 3, 2006, Thorburn was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. After one season with the Penguins, Thorburn was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for a third-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Bryan Bickell (born March 9, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.

Bickell grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of Orono, Ontario for the Leafs rep program before playing AAA for the Central Ontario Wolves organization.

For his Bantam season, Bickell moved to the Toronto Red Wings of the GTHL for one season before being drafted in the 2nd round (36th overall) in the 2002 OHL Priority Selection by the Ottawa 67's. Bickell was a member of the Bantam All-Ontario champions Toronto Red Wings with future Chicago Blackhawk teammate Dave Bolland.

Bickell was drafted 41st overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks from the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). After his junior career, Bickell was signed to a 3-year entry level contract with the Blakhawks on June 5, 2006. He made his professional debut with the Norfolk Admirals at the beginning of the 2006–07 season.

Bickell was recalled to the Blackhawks at the end of the 2006–07 season and scored his first NHL goal in his NHL debut on April 5, 2007, against the Detroit Red Wings in a 3-2 win. Bryan spent the majority of the 2007–08 season with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. He was recalled by the Blackhawks on March 2, 2008, and played in four games with the Blackhawks.

Bradley Kevin "Marshy" Marchand (born May 11, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing left wing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Marchand was selected by the Bruins, 71st overall, at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He played his junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Marchand grew up playing minor hockey in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area, including AAA midget with the Dartmouth Subways before being a 2nd round pick in the 2004 QMJHL Midget Draft. He played four seasons in the QMJHL between the Moncton Wildcats, Val-d'Or Foreurs and Halifax Mooseheads. During his junior career, he was selected 71st overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins.

Marchand made his NHL debut on October 21, 2009, against the Nashville Predators. He scored his first NHL goal against Jhonas Enroth of the Buffalo Sabres on November 3, 2010.

Marchand established himself as a two-way player for the Bruins during the 2010–11 season, his first full year in the NHL. Marchand scored 21 goals, including five short handed (ranked third in the league) and 41 points. He also had a +25 plus-minus rating. On April 2, 2011, prior to the Bruins' final home game of the season, against the Atlanta Thrashers, Marchand was awarded the Bruins "7th Player Award" as voted by the club's fans through the regional New England Sports Network (NESN). The award goes to the Bruins player fans believe most performed beyond expectations. During the 2011 playoffs, Marchand scored 19 points over 25 games, helping the Bruins to a Stanley Cup championship. His 11 goals tied Jeremy Roenick for the second most by a rookie in the NHL. His total included two goals in the seventh and deciding game of the Finals against the Vancouver Canucks.

Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC (born March 31, 1928) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Howe is often referred to as Mr. Hockey, and is generally regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

Howe is most famous for his scoring prowess, physical strength, and career longevity. He is the only player to have competed in the NHL in five (1940s through 1980s) different decades. A four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Red Wings, he won six Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player and six Art Ross Trophies as the leading scorer. He was the inaugural recipient of the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Howe was also referred to during his career as Power, Mr. Everything, Mr. All-Star, The Most, The Great Gordie, The King of Hockey, The Legend, The Man, No. 9, and "Mr. Elbows" (for his tough physical play). His name and nickname, "Mr. Hockey," as well as his wife's nickname as "Mrs. Hockey," are registered trademarks.