"All those activities keep me in good shape. I still think about returning to play hockey next year, so it is important for me to do other sports now and be ready," Hasek said after returning from Spain to his home in Prague.
The Czech legend will turn 47 in January, but you would hardly recognize his age. He is still in shape, like during his Stanley Cup winning days in 2002. He is still working on his flexibility and reflections. He even won a reflection contest on the car racing simulator while competing with many other applicants -- which is how he made it all the way to the race in Barcelona.
"After the contest, I prepared myself for the race on the simulator every second day," Hasek said. "I also had a chance to train on the racing track in Most, Czech Republic. But once you get to be a part of the real race, it's totally different."
Switching with Spanish driver Carmen Jodra, Hasek had a chance to finish in eighth place out of 15 teams in the second race.
"Unfortunately, just two laps to go someone hit my tire from behind and pushed me out of the track," Hasek said. "But it was great experience anyway. I was excited that I had a chance to compete with all racing pros, who do this sport since the age of six."
After his Albanian cycling adventure and full-of-adrenaline action in Barcelona, the goalie is looking forward to the upcoming winter season.
"I will add a lot of skiing to my schedule; maybe I'm gonna try some other car races. I'm having fun, but I am getting ready for hockey at the same time," he added.
Hasek's life remains full of action and surprises. He might call it a career next spring, but he could also end up with a KHL club, or come back to the Czech Extraleague. Another European elite league -- Sweden, Finland or Switzerland -- could also be an option.
In the Dominator's world, there is no mission impossible. At an age when other hockey stars are comfortably enjoying their retirement, Hasek is showing he still wants to fight for another chance.
Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the 18-year-old who scored a goal in his first NHL game and led all rookies in scoring with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 11 games, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for October.
Nugent-Hopkins edged Nashville Predators center Craig Smith (4-5--9 in 11 games), Buffalo Sabres center Luke Adam (3-6--10 in 10 games), Ottawa Senators left wing Colin Greening (4-4--8 in 12 games) and Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (4-3--7 in 11 games) for the award.
Making his NHL debut less than four months after being selected first overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, Nugent-Hopkins notched the game-tying goal with 4:55 remaining in regulation as the Oilers rallied for a 2-1 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener Oct. 9. He tallied a hat trick in his third career game, in a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 15, scored his first game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers Oct. 22 and concluded the month with a pair of assists in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues Oct. 30. The win extended the Oilers' winning streak to five and lifted the club to first place in the Western Conference.
Nugent-Hopkins entered the 2011 NHL Draft as the top-rated North American skater by the League's Central Scouting Service after leading the Western Hockey League with 75 assists in 69 games for the Red Deer Rebels in 2010-11. The Burnaby, B.C. native became the first WHL player selected first overall since 1996, when the Ottawa Senators tabbed Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Chris Phillips as the top pick.
