John Scott (ice hockey, born 1982)
A 6-foot-8 NHL enforcer who was voted by fans into the All-Star Game as a joke, then stole the show by winning MVP honors.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: September 26·Millennials
Biography
John Scott's hockey journey was that of a classic journeyman enforcer. A hulking defenceman who graduated with an engineering degree, he carved out a nearly decade-long NHL career through sheer physical presence, protecting teammates for seven different franchises. His story, however, was rewritten in 2016 during a fan vote for the NHL All-Star Game. As part of an online campaign, Scott was voted in as captain—a move widely seen as a mockery of the event. The league's awkward handling of the situation, including questioning his participation, turned Scott into an unlikely folk hero. Sent to the minors before the game, he was ultimately reinstated. At the event, the veteran tough guy defied all expectations, scoring two goals, endearing himself to players and fans, and winning the MVP award in a storybook moment that celebrated the heart of a hockey player over mere star power.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
John was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When John Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
John's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the NHL All-Star Game MVP award in 2016 after a viral fan-vote campaign.
- Played 286 regular-season NHL games across seven different teams.
- Graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in mechanical engineering.
- Served as captain of the Pacific Division team at the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.
Did You Know?
He fought fellow NHL enforcer Zdeno Chara, who is 6-foot-9, in a memorable bout.
He published a memoir titled 'A Guy Like Me: Fighting to Make the Cut'.
He worked as a analyst for the NHL Network after his retirement.
He was known for having one of the hardest shots in the league despite his role as an enforcer.
“The whole experience taught me a lot about the league, about the fans, about myself.”
