Television star in Thicke of charity hockey game

April 10, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - After playing in two charity hockey games in less than 12 hours - one day after hitting the slopes at Alyeska - Alan Thicke was ready for a break.

&#8220I had to take Advil on the bench,” the 60-year-old entertainer said following a charity game at the Curtis C. Menard Jr. Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

Thicke joined National Hockey League Hall of Famer Bernie Nicholls for the game, a fundraiser for the Mat-Su Boys and Girls Club.

Thicke and Nicholls joined members of the Alaska Avalanche hockey team and several of the area's top high school players for the game Saturday, which attracted several hundred fans.

The duo also competed in a celebrity game earlier in the day in Anchorage - a first for the Canadian-born Thicke, an avid hockey player.

&#8220I'd never tried a double-header before,” he said.

While Thicke - who is most well-known for his role as Jason Seaver in the popular 80s sitcom &#8220Growing Pains” -may have been the draw for celebrity hounds in the Valley, skating with Nicholls was the big thrill for the Mat-Su players lucky enough to take the ice Saturday.

&#8220I felt honored,” Palmer High goalie and aspiring junior hockey player Jim Isaacs said following the game. &#8220It was intense.”

A three-time All-Star, Nicholls scored more than 1,200 points in 21 seasons in the NHL. He played for six different teams before retiring after the 1999 season as one of only seven players to score at least 70 goals in a single season.

Since he's retired, Nicholls said he likes to stay involved with hockey, and tours the U.S. and Canada playing in charity games.

&#8220I still enjoy playing and I like helping out with charity,” Nicholls said.

Saturday's game featured lots of crisp passing and individual offensive displays as the teams combined for a crowd-pleasing 19 goals.

Thicke praised the skills of the local skaters, many of whom are fresh off their junior and high school seasons.

&#8220They've got some great skills and they're fast,” he said.

Playing against younger players, however, can take its toll.

&#8220These guys are 16 years old,” Thicke said.

By the time the game was finished, both the Hollywood star and NHL hero said they were more than ready for some much-needed rest.

&#8220It was torture, but it was fun,” Thicke said. &#8220I haven't had so much fun and been in so much pain.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com