Defining Brooks Laich

Brooks Laich has played in the National Hockey League since he was 20, spending time with the Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. The NHL is experiencing a youth movement, and as the average age of players drops, the 34-year-old center finds himself “on the wrong side of 26.”
In this video, Laich is a free agent looking for a contract with a new team. Producer Torin Simpson follows Laich as he seeks to prove to himself and recruiters that top athletic performance is possible after your 20s.
Laich lives in Southern California with his wife, “Dancing With the Stars” champion Julianne Hough. The two enjoy a healthy lifestyle that includes cooking together rather than going out to eat.
Laich also chases his health goals at Brick CrossFit in Los Angeles, California. Laich was introduced to CrossFit by his friend Lewis Howes, who trained with 2010 CrossFit Games champ Graham Holmberg in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Brick.
Laich’s coach, Cesar Flores, says the hockey player has incredible aerobic capacity, but CrossFit will make him fitter.
“When I say ‘fit,’” Flores explains, “it’s the ability to adapt, not only to his sport but to adapt to anything I throw at him.”
Laich says CrossFit has made him fitter and more prepared for the challenges of staying healthy through a grueling NHL season.
“Part of training as an athlete,” he says, “is to train for elite performance, which CrossFit obviously does. The other benefit of it is the injury prevention. My body is better to prevent injuries, better prepared to receive contact, in better alignment, more mobile than it’s ever been before.”
Video by Torin Simpson.
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[@bball1niner]

This guy is awesome. Started following him on social media a few months ago and he is really inspirational. Good luck to him in Hockey and life.

[@melinalomeli6173]

Go Dodgers!!! I was introduced to Crossfit at 37 and its been the best thing that could have happen to me at that exact moment in my life. Every body thinks its down hill after 40; well not for me, I'm still climbing, thanks to Crossfit. Congratulations to you and Mrs. Laich (like); still can't get over that's how you pronounce your name. Go Kings!!! I love L.A.!!!

[@JamesRWeise]

As a beer league hockey player and a CrossFitter, I am not shocked to hear that mobility was one of Brooks' biggest challenges and his engine was really good.

[@jennatulls0420]

What a great story to tell. Look forward to following your journey Brooks. Great video.

[@Philathai]

Well Brooks...I will pray that you will be able to continue doing what you love. I'm also glad that you found someone you adore and who adores you. Never let anything or anyone come between you and your wife what God put together. But, for some reason you are not picked up there are things you can do relating to hockey...maybe instructing younger lads to play this sport you love. God bless you both.

[@kelandrews4504]

I loved this story! You are one of my favorite people to follow on IG, you are so positive and funny and you are a genuine great human and I will always be a huge fan! I love Your wife as well, you two are great to follow! Thank you for allowing your fans a peak at your life! Good Luck with the Kings, you deserve nothing but great things! God Bless!

[@hawkenhawken]

This is so great and the perfect role model I would love for my son to be as he follows his own hockey dreams and his future ahead of him!

[@naedelenereyes8347]

Awesome video!! He’s such a great source for positivity and inspiration. Wishing you and Jules all the best! 💕

[@mdr8661]

Awesome video. Love the Brick highlight too... though I'm partial to Brick Boston.

[@chloemchisholm]

Awesome story! Super inspiring!!!!

[@TomoFit]

Nice! Awesome job torin! Present surprise to hear your voice in the narration.

[@TSizzleProductions]

Michael thank you. I appreciate it :)

[@isaacrigel9231]

Dear Crossfit, I would pay my hardearned cash to have crossfit do some hockey-based stuff. I love skating, it's triplanar movement moving in the sagital, frontal, and transverse planes. Literally endless combinations of movement. I guess that's one reason Crossfit appealed to me as much as inline and ice skating after my career as a runner went out from years and years of compensation. But yeah, if Laich were to start a Crossfit WOD series for beer leaguers and amatuer stick-and-puck guys who want to improve I'd be so down.

[@rtcharge]

Good guy, wish he could have made it with the Leafs. Good luck in LA. Congrats on the wifey

[@forthejourney9537]

At 10:18 what the heck is that hip mobility routine, I tried it and it ruined me!

[@nimrodrdc]

GKG!!!

[@akhmad670]

5:24, it supposed to roll right!? (The machine for smoothening the rough parts of wood usually)

[@wolfhunter6711]

Akhmad Tulkunov No, he is using a vibrating sander, not a belt sander.

[@mattimannisto9020]

Too bad that contract with LAK was terminated on November 27th.