Ric Nattress was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on May 25, 1962, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Nattress began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Brantford Alexanders in 1979. He played for the Alexanders for three seasons before being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
Nattress made his NHL debut with the Canadiens during the 1983-84 season. He played in 12 games that season and scored his first NHL goal on December 31, 1983, against the Boston Bruins. Nattress became a regular on the Canadiens' roster during the 1985-86 season, playing in 71 games and scoring 10 goals and 22 assists. He was a key member of the Canadiens' Stanley Cup championship team in 1986, playing in all 20 playoff games and scoring two goals and six assists.
Nattress played for the Canadiens for six seasons before being traded to the Calgary Flames in 1989. He played for the Flames for three seasons, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1991. Nattress was then traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1992, where he played for one season before retiring from the NHL in 1993.
Throughout his NHL career, Nattress was known for his physical play and defensive skills. He was a solid defenseman who could play in all situations, including on the power play and penalty kill. Nattress was also a good skater and had a hard shot from the point.
After retiring from the NHL, Nattress played for several years in Europe, including stints in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. He also worked as a hockey analyst for TSN and Sportsnet in Canada. In 2013, Nattress was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which he believes may have been caused by head injuries sustained during his hockey career.
Overall, Ric Nattress had a successful NHL career, playing for three different teams and winning a Stanley Cup championship with the Montreal Canadiens. He was a reliable defenseman who could contribute offensively and defensively, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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