Most people know Nyjer Morgan as the outfielder who won the 2011 NLDS for the Milwaukee Brewers in extra innings, or as the certified goofball who has a collection of alter egos ranging from the entertaining Tony Plush to the "city slicker" Tony Tombstone.
But before all of that, he was Flash Morgan for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.
Inspired to play after the 1988 Winter Olympics, the San Francisco native embarked on a short-lived but memorable junior hockey career, telling NHL.com that he was "just like that little pest on the ice, going around and giving people the business, like Sean Avery."
Last summer, Morgan appeared on Jim Rome's ESPN show while rocking a "No. 2 Plush" San Jose Sharks jersey. (Foul? Depends on if the team gave it to him or not.)
"We knew he had a hockey background and when we saw him on Jim Rome wearing our sweater," Sharks captain Joe Thornton said Monday in a press release, "[so] we wanted to invite him to get on the ice with us."
Yep: Nyjer Morgan/T. Plush/Flash Morgan will skate with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday during their morning practice. Via the Sharks:
"I'm really excited to get on the ice with the team," said Morgan.
"I've been a diehard fan since the team came to San Jose in 1991. I will never forget the George Kingston and Patty Falloon days. I'm not sure the guys are ready for me!"
What, no love for Kelly Kisio or Jeff Odgers?
Pretty sure the NHL knows what it needs to do here: Add the cross-sport shootout to the next All-Star Skills Competition. Nyjer Morgan for the Sharks, Jonas Jerebko for the Red Wings … who else?