Legein Says "No Thanks" to NHL

We all know the officially approved hockey story:

• Every boy at the rink dreams of making the NHL.
• A boy anointed a "prospect" will do anything to achieve the dream.
• We glorify their "love of the game."
• The few who make it assure us it's a "dream come true."

Fans love the official story. The hockey business loves it too. The "dream" shtick ensures an endless supply of athletes fighting to get to the top, even though most of them will never make any real money.

But the story has lost its appeal for Stefan Legein.

The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect quit hockey this week, passing up a decent shot at a decent NHL career. His agent says he's just not interested anymore.

Nobody quite believes that - "not interested" isn't in the script.

Eric Duhatschek of Globesports.com raises the prospect of hockey burnout, noting that today's elite junior player is held to a brutal schedule and fitness regime.

But maybe it's not burnout. Maybe Legein simply gave it some thought - always frowned upon in the sports world - and made a life choice.

Courtesy of a Mirtle link, here's the story of another top prospect who quit hockey this summer.

Brandon Regier isn't burnt out. He's just not interested. In Canada, that makes him a blasphemer:

“It’s never been my favourite thing to do in the world... I haven’t been on the ice since March, and I haven’t missed it at all...

“I’m not going to promise I’m never going to play hockey again, but for now, I really don’t want to."

No word yet on whether he's been struck by lightning or stoned to death.

Photo: Stefan Legein at the 2007 NHL Draft. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)