Oilers forward Zach Hyman hoping to teach 'Shaq Hyman' how to skate: 'For free'
Zach Hyman is extending the invitation.
If basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal needs to learn how to skate — for real this time — Hyman will hit the ice with him.
"If Shaq wants lessons, no problem," the Edmonton Oilers forward said Wednesday. "For free."
O’Neal, a Basketball Hall of Famer and larger-than-life personality, has twice jumped onto the NHL on TNT broadcasts under the "Shaq Hyman" moniker during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The seven-foot-one, 325-pounder walked onto the set last Saturday holding a hockey stick before screening Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who said: "I need a ladder."
And on Tuesday night, O'Neal "skated" into the studio with a hockey stick in his hands, a helmet on his head and two skateboards attached to his feet.
Hyman can hardly believe his eyes when he turns on the TV these days.
"Never thought in my life people would be calling him 'Shaq Hyman,'" he said, laughing. "Pretty cool to share that nickname with him."
Hyman earned the "Shaq Hyman" nickname for displaying his ability to score in the paint — the same area O’Neal terrorized defenders for over a decade on an NBA court — when he was with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies in 2015-16.
"When I was with the Marlies we called him 'Shaq Hyman' for a reason, because he got to the paint more and better than anybody," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said in March.
The six-foot-one, 206-pound Hyman can only imagine the kind of problems Shaq could pose on NHL goalies, and is impressed by the progress the big man is making in such a short span.
"He’s great, he just keeps improving," Hyman said. "First he was in shoes then he was on skateboards, so next he’ll be on real skates — and that’s a big man in front of the net."
O’Neal made US$292 million during his 19-season career and acquired millions more in endorsements thanks to his comical persona.
Long retired, he puts his personality on display weekly alongside fellow Hall of Famer Charles Barkley on "Inside the NBA” — TNT’s award-winning NBA studio show.
"I’m a huge Shaq fan, obviously an incredible basketball player and incredible panellist on TNT," Hyman said. "Sometimes the basketball games are even more fun when he and Charles are going at it in the intermission, so he brings a whole other element to the NBA.
"It’s cool to see him on the NHL set and pretending to be ‘Shaq Hyman.'"
Hyman and the Oilers were leading the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 in their first-round series heading into Game 5 on Wednesday night. Hyman has lived up to his and O'Neal's shared nickname with six goals in his first four playoff games after scoring 54 in the regular season -- often from the blue paint.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
'More aggressive': Tocchet shifts lineups as Canucks get ready to take on Oilers in Vancouver
As the Canucks prepare to take on the Oilers for Game 5, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet is making changes to the team's lineup.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.