Former Vancouver Canucks Enforcer Making Surprise Return to Hockey at the Age of 53

As the 2025-26 season is set to begin in most professional leagues here in North America over the next few weeks, teams are still preparing their respective rosters in hopes of making a run towards a championship, including the Vancouver Canucks organization, as the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings have announced a slew of signings recently.

Elsewhere across the continent, it appears that a former Vancouver Canucks forward and longtime NHLer is set to make his return to the game of hockey after announcing his retirement, once again, in May of 2024 after suiting up in LNAH - a senior men's league in Quebec.

One league that is well into their 2025-26 campaign is the Central Western Senior Hockey League (CWSHL) in Newfoundland which features just four teams - the Corner Brook Royals, Deer Lake Red Wings, Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts and the Stephenville Lightning.

The Corner Brook Royals finished third in the regular season last year, with eight wins from 18 games and in an attempt to turn thing around, the club announced that they're bringing in former Vancouver Canucks enforcer Donald Brashear for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The 53-year-old initially returned to hockey during the 2023-24 season as he suited up for the Jonquiere Marquis of the LNAH, recording eight points (two goals, six assists) and 45 penalty minutes in 24 games.

After retiring from hockey last May, the Bedford, Indiana native found himself in some legal trouble was reportedly charged with assault in Quebec City, where he pleaded not guilty and was held in a detention center in the province.

Brashear appeared in 1,025 games during his career in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, and his experience is exactly what the Corner Brook Royals need this season, with their first game of the 2025-26 campaign expected to be in early November.