WWE News: Shawn Michaels Invited By NHL Team To Playoff Game
WWE Hall of Fame star Shawn Michaels has been honored by NHL hockey team the Pittsburgh Penguins. There have been many WWE stars who have come out as hockey fans, with CM Punk always promoting his beloved Chicago Blackhawks. Chris Jericho is also the son of a former NHL star. However, this is the first time that Shawn Michaels has been publicly connected to hockey.
The connection is thanks to the trio of Pittsburgh Penguins players, left wing Carl Hagelin, center Nick Bonino, and right wing Phil Kessel. This is a talented line that has coined the nickname “HBK Line” based on their last names. Of course, Shawn Michaels was known as HBK in the WWE, the abbreviation for “The Heartbreak Kid.”
NHL.com reported that it actually caught Michaels’ attention recently, as the Penguins are in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning right now. Michaels took to Twitter and acknowledged the nickname for the hockey stars, and Shawn said they have him watching a sport he is unfamiliar with. That was Game 2, which the Penguins won, 2-1.
Y'all got me watching the game!!! #PITvsTBL #HBKLine pic.twitter.com/KQLRTqTAWX
— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) May 17, 2016
That caught the attention of the Pittsburgh Penguins. With Game 5 coming up on Sunday night, May 22, they took to Twitter to invite “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels to the big game. Pittsburgh leads the series 2-1, and Game 4 takes place in Tampa Bay on Friday night.
In honor of the HBK line (which is on ?), we would like to formally invite the original Heartbreak Kid, @ShawnMichaels, to Game 5. You in?
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 18, 2016
Shawn quickly started teasing his WWE fans, as well as fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins, when he said he had an upcoming announcement to make about the invitation. When Brett Keisel himself said that he would save a seat for Shawn Michaels, the WWE legend said it was an offer he can’t refuse.
That's an offer I can't refuse!!! https://t.co/ryQhY6Z6KJ
— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) May 19, 2016
Shawn Michaels is picking a great time to become a hockey fan because the Pittsburgh Penguins have really started to grow into a dominant team in the NHL. The team is co-owned by arguably one of the greatest hockey players of all-time, Mario Lemieux, and was built by general manager Jim Rutherford. All they need is two wins to make it to the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2009, and if they win on Friday night, Shawn could be at the big win that sends them to the Finals.
Here is what is most impressive about the “HBK Line.” All three players were acquired by Rutherford since last July 1, and now the three new teammates are dominating the games much like Shawn Michaels dominated the WWE ring over his career. The three players have combined for 39 points over 14 games. Nick Bonino said this was no surprise.
“We’ve got good, complementary pieces to the line. Phil’s so dangerous out there and Haggey’s got so much speed that it makes the game a little bit easier when you’re able to flip [the puck] to space and let them skate.”
If Shawn Michaels makes it to Game 5 of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Eastern Conference Finals, it will be a rare appearance for Michaels as of late. Shawn appeared at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas in his ring gear to run in and attack the evil League Of Nations faction, alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Mick Foley, two other WWE Hall of Fame legends.
However, the WWE was allegedly trying to get Michaels to come out of retirement for a match, but Shawn has kept his word that his in-ring retirement would remain intact, and he won’t be coming back to wrestle another match. However, an appearance at a Pittsburgh Penguins game could allow HBK Shawn Michaels to support the Penguins HBK Line, something fans of both should enjoy.
[Photo by Jonathan Bachman/AP Images for WWE]
