Tom Marchitelli helps NHL players make a fashion statement, the Golden Knights training staff comes up big with a timely assist and Charles Barkley appears on the NHL on TNT set in Florida.
Temperatures continue to rise as we reach the home stretch of the hockey season. It won't be much longer before many have their sights set on a vacation, but before then, the hockey world gave us a few more fun stories to get into before the formal start of summer:
Tom Marchitelli Makes Sure Players in the Stanley Cup Final Look Fresh
Both gameday and press conference fashion are topics that have been in the news for quite some time, no matter the league. For many athletes, looking fresh and confident is essential. When it comes to suits, players across North America have been showing off their style.
When it comes to hockey, there are a few staple players known for their suit game. But who's behind some of the looks for the likes of Linus Ullmark, Jason Zucker, Jack Eichel, Brandon Montour and Evander Kane? It's none other than New Jersey-based fashion designer and the creator of the Gentleman's Playbook menswear line, Tom Marchitelli.
Athletes across the NFL, NHL, MLB and WWE have worn the work of Marchitelli. In the Stanley Cup final, some players on the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers are wearing his designs.
The colors, patterns, and materials used for the suits are eye-catching and one-of-a-kind. It's no wonder the clientele of Marchitelli includes some of the biggest names in the Cup final right now.
Like A Good Neighbour, the Golden Knights Training Staff Is There
Every hockey player knows the importance of the training staff and their effect on players and the game. Sometimes, their work takes an extra step.
After Vegas captain Mark Stone broke his stick in Game 2 of the Cup final, and with the Panthers buzzing, assistant equipment manager J.W. Aiken was alert and ready to get a new stick to Stone mid-play. The assist was big in more ways than one, as Stone was able to set up Brett Howden for a goal just seconds later.
If you were allowed to give points to non-players, Aiken absolutely would have deserved one in this sequence.
Charles Barkley Joins the NHL on TNT Desk
It was only a matter of time before we'd see another hit from NBA legend and Inside the NBA analyst Charles Barkley on an NHL on TNT broadcast.
This past weekend, it happened. During the broadcast of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final coverage, Barkley joined the panel down in Sunrise to sing the praises of the Panthers' run to the final during this post-season and the move to bring in Matthew Tkachuk this past off-season.
Barkley's love for hockey and Turner using him as much as possible with the NHL side continues to be must-watch television.