The Untold Story of Bryan Trottier’s Rise to the NHL | Part 1

Before he was an NHL champion and one of the most respected players in hockey history, Bryan Trottier was just a kid from a small town in Saskatchewan with a pair of dusty skates and a dream.

In Part 1 of this in-depth 3-part interview, Trottier shares his remarkable backstory—from milking cows and weeding potato fields to learning how to skate on a frozen creek near a beaver dam.

He recalls nearly quitting junior hockey at just 15—until future NHL enforcer Tiger Williams showed up at his front door and convinced him to return. From that pivotal moment, Trottier never looked back, eventually earning a spot in the NHL, winning the Calder Trophy, and becoming a seven-time Stanley Cup champion.

Trottier shares his firsthand comparison of playing with and against Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. While praising both legends, he explains why—if he had to pick—he’d take Mario, citing his size, reach, and raw skill as nearly unstoppable at full health. He also reflects on Gretzky’s genius and how both players changed the game in their own unique ways.

Presented by US Foods & North Park Lounge Cranberry. Produced by 1TEAM Media.