The Superstar Who Disappeared From The NHL

Dustin Byfuglien Suddenly terminated his expensive NHL Contract and vanished from the league. What happened to him? Where did he go?
#nhl #hockey #byfuglien
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[@Beyond.Hockey]

Love the Hockey Vids? You Can “Buy us a puck” for only $3 to support the channel! ko-fi.com/beyondhockey We really appreciate any donations! All donations will go towards video production! Thank you;)

[@tb8209]

He made a ton of money and left at his peak - a big body with injuries, he had enough. Good for him to live life to the fullest and do what he loves.. fishing is fun too!!

[@russell-di8js]

I just hope the big guy's happy with what he's up to. Byfu the slayer!!

[@trevorjmaendel]

He seems to be. He lives not far from us (local to WPG) and there's plenty of pictures of him at rinks, fishing, etc.. We miss him as Jet but glad to see he's happy doing what he's doing

[@karlkarlsson9126]

He seems very happy with fishing.

[@theramplocal]

Big huff is a beauty. Love this dude.

[@theramplocal]

Buff

[@adamtajhassam9188]

Respect 4 taking care of your health 1st- then wealth.

[@darpompie4354]

As a fan of a rival team, he was one of the scariest players and one of my most hated. Reading between the lines, its one of the biggest compliments I can give.

[@FischerFan]

Oh, no doubt! Byfuglien was to the Jets what Larry Robinson was to the disco-era Habs. When Don Cherry was behind the Bruins' bench, he stressed one thing to his players regarding games against the arch-rival Canadiens. 'The STUPIDEST thing in the world you can do, when you play Montreal, is wake up Larry Robinson! I tell my players NOT to wake him up because if you DO, he'll KILL you!' I firmly believe Byfuglien was of the same value to the Jets.

[@sirus312]

One of the scariest? um no you must be thinking of Thai Domai

[@Grzechowiak21]

He’s never coming back. Miss watching him play. Such a great player.

[@tf7274]

He did everything you can do in the NHL..he grew up in the rink...won a Stanley Cup and walked away desired.

[@merrywissemes]

Let’s see. Hockey? Or fishing everyday? You made the right move in my opinion, Buff. Good for you.

[@user-yl2je3sb7v]

Leafs fan here…BUFF was so much fun to watch! Good luck buddy!

[@Tazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

He didn’t disappear he retired and is now living happily as a competitive fisherman.

[@aarongoldsmith3727]

Always have respect for any professional player who prioritizes their own health or just enjoyment of life over the cameras action fame and money. Not saying there is anything wrong with those who do.

[@mikecarter200]

a job isn't everything. I walked by his house all the time and he always had his trailers, decoys etc around. He has the money to enjoy his life without worries.

[@IAMTHEJUGGERNATE]

I wouldn't be surprised if concussions were a factor as well. He started to get wobbly from contact later in his career like when he hit Oleksiak and could barely get off the ice. Once the melon starts to get rattled like that, it's hard to keep playing especially when your main strength is being a big, physical player.

[@BigC144]

Big buff looks a lot happier and healthier now glad to see him doing something he loves

[@Theon435]

healthier ?

[@yvesleroux9313]

@@Theon435emotionally….duh

[@karlkarlsson9126]

When they showed a clip from Dustin Byfuglien when he was a child skating around playing hockey you kinda realize that some of these guys are playing hockey for a very long time, eventually you might want to step back and do something else.

[@dixonhill1108]

He loves fishing, unlike some other NHLers he didn't want to spend the rest of his life being completely crippled.

[@RainCity3rd]

exactly and even if he never lost any love for the game these are still quite young men with most of their lives left and usually enough money to live fantastic lives. At some point its about your own physical health. For others about their family life. Its such a tough lifestyle for their families. Rad when your young but when you are married with kids no way.

[@2xxxx732]

Disappeared into happiness 🖤

[@sean8290]

This dude was severely underrated.. no other player was scarier. And he wasn't dirty, guys just bounced off him like he was gelatin

[@pantalone2952]

Byfuglien recently played on Hossa's Goodbye game together with Slovakia's legends, Chicago Stanley Cup teammates and other teammates from the past teams.

[@erikness4231]

Can't blame him in the least for leaving. He gave it his all, who knows what it took out of him. Now he seems happy and content. Good on him.

[@TheCyberfyber]

Great player...Great guy. Met him at an outdoor inline roller hockey tournament (The Beach Cup) hosted by Tour Cup Series. He was one of the guests that was invited (the kids loved him). Enjoy life Buff...I enjoyed your time with the Blackhawks and tried to catch all your games beyond with other teams. What a talent and joy to watch

[@albertvanular433]

His time with the Blackhawks? Seriously? He only played 3 and half seasons in Chicago. He played 8 seasons with Winnipeg Jets which was by far the majority of his hockey career. I actually forgot he played for the Hawks. Buff will forever be remembered as a Winnipeg Jet.

[@christopherkozicki9597]

As an avid fisherman I can easily explain what happened. Buff just wanted to go fishing.

[@coldhandjacinth9069]

You forgot to show him in his Atlanta Thrasher jersey! He looked so angelic in that cornflower blue.

[@matthewgregg3979]

I watched Buff play for the Cougars in the WHL. He was great and loved by everyone.

[@17MJG93]

Buff was a beast - sucks that he felt he had to walk away... especially for Jets fans cuz that really hurt their team.

[@EditzAleks]

He did not disappear he had a injury which he could not play through which led to him having to retire, unfortunately

[@kevinmcleod7580]

I really miss his presence ! Where ever you are and what ever your doing I appreciated your play and work ethics ! Last of the big hitters who can play two positions! Offensive or on the defense he scared the shit out of his competition every night ! Miss you Dustin have a great retirement ! Really miss ya dude you kept everone on there toes with there heads up ! Thumbs-up what a great career !

[@hockeyman1054]

No disaapearance, Big Buff is doing A-OK and lives on a lake just west of Minneapolis. Plays pickup hockey once a week with retired MN Twins guys...

[@trishtuthill6107]

I miss him every game. I think he got tired of being used for his skills but not being cared for. His health was more important. He is never going to be a typical guy. I bet he is loving his new life.

[@thomwatson4263]

I was the first in my fantasy hockey league to draft him. It was hilarious hearing some of the others try to pronounce his name.

[@baiqi44]

There are things that are more important than just money and hockey in life. If Byfuglien decided to hang up his skates for his personal well-being instead of waiting till his contract finishes, that might be the best option for him. I just wished Rypien and Boogard would've done the same a lot earlier instead of letting their personal demons conquer them.

[@dixonhill1108]

Just listen to Whitney from Spittin Chicklets. High ankle sprains can completely ruin your life.

[@j-pgaspard8325]

In the 2010 playoffs it was the first time I saw a 7-defensemen lineup. Big Buff was the 7th, and I was amazed to see a defenseman easily playing at the wing (4th line if I remember correctly). This created a trend in the NHL for a couple of seasons

[@theramplocal]

Blues fan. I hated playing against buff when he was in Chicago and also his stint in Winnipeg. He is all class, big buff is the man!

[@danquisenberry3892]

Buff played top line winger with kane and toews in 2010 playoffs

[@andrewbrady6154]

He never played on my team ( wish he did ) but always loved Buff and the way he played. I always thought he was tough but a stand-up player !

[@JeffAboularage]

He was a true two way forward in every sense of the word. He was old school to the bone as well! Congrats on a great career, and a well earned rest!

[@FischerFan]

Byfuglien will always have my admiration and respect, for he was the one who put his foot down with that dressing room cancer, Evander Kane.

[@spelunkerd]

I loved watching that big boy play. But that lifestyle is not easy to live, with injuries and even head trauma. Power forwards don't last long. I don't recall his final years to be the peak, he was overweight and slower. We all have a best before date, I'm long past mine.

[@steve8803]

"power forwards don't last long". He was a defenseman.

[@gigelbecali8072]

​@@steve8803 but he played as a winger sometimes.

[@FischerFan]

@@steve8803 He was a big, rangy defenseman who, in reality, a power forward. Phil Housley was a defenseman of much smaller stature, but was also, in reality, a forward.

[@steve8803]

@@gigelbecali8072 I know. He still spent the mass majority of his career as a defenseman. You don't see forwards playing 27-28 minutes a night like Buf did. D are able to log much bigger minutes because they don't skate near as much as forwards.

[@williamgiven7892]

I would pay good money to see Big Buff rag-doll both of the Chuckies and Gallagher.

[@stringlarson1247]

I got to see him once in Chicago, with great seats. Un-fehkin-real. I don't follow pro sports and had no idea where he went after that. He seems like a really great person. Great role-model to step away when 'not playing at the level he wanted', etc.

[@seanfrank4158]

Saw him play a ton when he was with the Prince George Cougars. He was a force to be reconned with then and a huge fan favorite. Looks to me like the guy earned enough cash to tell everyone to go eff themselves and now can live in the lap of luxury. Way to go Dustin.

[@christopherworks400]

I wasnt a big fan of his but it was a shock to see him just walk away. Now the issue he is having with his hip, has caused a few hockey players to retire early as well.

[@skeeterboy77]

Dude loves to fish.. Hes been down here at lake of the ozarks fishing the Big Bass bash and then up in WI/ sturgeon bay fishing the open.. He really seemed to be at peace doing what he enjoys..

[@benl6328]

Leave when you still have your health. Too many people wait too long to leave.

[@mikepoint4717]

Good on big buff , he was a beast !!! . Like many comments he had so many highlights and accomplished a lot . Cheers 🇨🇦

[@sirchromiumdowns2015]

I'm sure he doesn't need the money. He's set for life if he's smart with his finances. God bless him.

[@RhondaHill-mi7cw]

Big Buf. A great, versatile player and his hits are legend.

[@Stalkingwolf]

he had that Eric Lindos vibe. was never a fan of any team he played for but was always fun see him on the ice.

[@omalley5196]

16 pts in 22 playoff games for a d-man is sick!!!! I know he played forward at times but still that's amazing!

[@mikehanzal9562]

He was playing forward most of the playoffs with the hawks in 2010.

[@omalley5196]

@@mikehanzal9562 correct, I thought about that shortly after I posted it! I probably should have deleted my comment but I deserved to be called out!

[@mikehanzal9562]

No calling out. He was listed as the 7th defenseman on the depth chart. But he played wing. The hawks were stacked on the blue line during their cup runs. Part of the reason buff ended up in Winnipeg

[@omalley5196]

@@mikehanzal9562 what always amazed me about him was how he played every position well. And what always confused me about him was the spelling and pronunciation of his last name?!?

[@iambiglucas]

Never gonna be a guy like Big Buff. Dude would come in late on a scrap and would routinely grab two guys and ragdoll them from behind. And he would make it look easy.

[@mguarin912]

I loved watching him play. What a unit.

[@bambam9969]

He was a powerhouse. Remember the team Canada goal with 2 seconds left to win?

[@politicalbandwagon4989]

Tbh I’m surprised this doesn’t happen more often. I’ve always wondered about nhl players after retirement. They still have half their life to live but most of it is spent near crippled due to injury and they wouldn’t have any meaning after already accomplishing all they could. I’m surprised more players don’t quit while they’re ahead.

[@cgasucks]

As s Canucks fan, Dustin was such a pain in the ass as a Blackhawk, come playoff time in the early 2010s. Only Theo Fleury was a bigger pain in the ass.

[@davebenson1504]

Jets NEED to do a Buff appreciation night... it may have been an acrimonious departure... but the fans loved him... and he deserves that... and management needs to put closure to that too...

[@judymathison1249]

Kudos to him. Loved watching him play (no, not a Hawks or Jets fan), glad he followed his own path.

[@Crow-jg4sj]

He was a great talent and he wasn't a dirty player.

[@ryans413]

He just decided hockey was no longer a path he needed. Nothing wrong with that.

[@michaeliannotti2996]

Buff was high end all around player. Reminded me of E Lindros…skate, shoot, pass, hit, fight, score.

[@TheRealMcFIy]

Hated him in 2010. But god was he good.

[@Darren51283]

The refs watched Buff closely and would penalize him for things that a regular-sized player wouldn't be penalized for. In fact, there were occasions when an opposing player would skate right into him and bounce off and Buff would get a penalty.

[@blackened872]

I will always know him as “bye foo glee in”

[@mat5473]

Its really not as mysterious as this video makes it seem. He was 34, nearing the age most players retire anyways. Plus he had injuries and his style of play is hard to keep going into middle age like some players can. He just handled the retirement badly which makes it seem "sudden" but it's not some big mystery like he suddenly disappeared in his prime because he had a mental breakdown or something.

[@dixonhill1108]

yeah really, it's controversial he isn't stupid or greedy enough to mope around the ice until he ends up on LTIR. How many players have horrible times in retirement due to injuries they received in the last months of their contracts.

[@AD-df5tm]

Exactly. His career ended the same way tons of players do. He was in his mid 30's and hurt. Nothing weird about it. This video makes it seem like he just up and quit when he was 23 with no explanation or something.

[@mikepurdue7472]

There is no doubt in my mind that if he was still on the Jets, they'd make it to the Stanley Cup final. How I miss him.

[@vincentperrault5900]

This might be the strongest player ever.

[@DaveLeperre]

Co-Founder of The Byfuglien-Gump Shrimp Co.

[@AttilatheThrilla]

Sounds like he just lives the life he wants to live.. 🤷‍♂️

[@nicknewman4175]

Big buff! What a beast!

[@jlo2o199]

Buff vs pronger was the greatest thing

[@jobber1984]

Legend

[@xrsroofingsolutionscanada2151]

Hunting, fishing, lovin everyday.

[@-ct4zn]

Don Cherry should bring back Rock'em sock'em. Byfugline could fill a whole vsh tape alone with the hits ge layed out.

[@patriot-dv6dh]

A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office...

[@colokor]

DB… did it right and moved on! Good for him

[@nicholasbarkman6767]

My only hope is someday the jets fans can give him the sendoff he deserves

[@agent-proofme7720]

Superstar? Easy there….

[@MotoMaximus]

Respect!

[@rockymaze9508]

just saying in 76 on a saturday...first camp with the Sabres....i decided to go home and quit..pro dream....came home got on with my life...friends thought I was crazy...but was I....

[@shredderhater]

He chose his personal well being 🎉

[@simplesimonspeaks1115]

He a monsta!

[@alanbaxter5897]

He was a wrecking ball against my Canucks. I was so happy when he was traded to Atlanta. Who knows how many cups the Hawks could have won without a salary cap.

[@rickszabo4312]

So Back in the day when the Hawks came into Vancouver in Feb during their west coast tour , Loungo hated Buff and the Hawks so bad that he got the Canuck management to revoke the 40 comp tickets for the Hawks so they could have friends and family watch the game and of course it was sold out, Buff had invited his sister inlaw and her family to the game and they had traveled over from the Island, Buff a man of his word had to bum several grand cash from his team mates to make a deal with a scalper just before the game.

[@alanbaxter5897]

@@rickszabo4312 I never hated Buff. Respected the hell out him...I was just glad when he was gone. Wish the Canucks traded for him.

[@lucascampbell769]

Wish you would have focused more on his post career more.

[@johnnyboydianno]

Buff made hockey for me fun again all the best big buff

[@NYSeaNile]

I feel like he left the nhl with a relatively healthy body. I’d rather leave and be able to walk the rest of my life then to continue playing another 2-3 years and be completely wrecked. Plus who wouldn’t want to fish as your second career !

[@matthewplayz-minecraft7908]

imagine Byfuglien with today's Trouba and Morrissey,

[@ryanwoods5687]

Brendan Morrison and him should join forces in fishing show

[@greenbluemonkey]

He could probably still help the Jets this playoffs, no matter what condition

[@robjohnson5872]

Hockey can be so cruel sometimes. at about 2:00 minutes into the video, Buf pastes another guy into the boards wuffley, and #15 is the guy on the spot who MUST (apparently) retaliate to protect his teammate, and you look up at who your supposed to make regret the hit, and it's Byfuglien. Really God? The way he threw down Chris Pronger was just insane. This guy was pure beast with talent. He would have made a great Red Wing.

[@galkanftw]

Just in the highlights alone he should be taking about 5 penalties for using the stick when he checks.Refs in the NHL are so bad it allows those that know how to cheat the system get a big edge over others who simply take penalties on weak calls.A lot of Dustin's checks were pitchfork like checks it is SUPPOSED to be BODY checks not cross checks or pitchforking but hey it's NHL refs not as bad as boxing or football officials but still not very good either. But hey NHL refs are really good at making that EASY call when players shoot the puck over the boards good thing we pay them the big bucks to make that amazing call.

[@ChrisCrawf]

When you retire from pro hockey it doesn’t mean you immediately hang up the gear for good.

[@chrisbrotsis9041]

superstar is a real stretch

[@marcbrisson3]

Hockey is an extreme sport. Not a sport. Or at least it used to be an extreme sport, now it’s sports entertainment.

[@BNK1780]

Cause he new it is rigged. Have millions and said fuck it. I'm never winning the cup again in the script .

[@meagainandagain5756]

?

[@katiemclean9089]

Big Buff a great player , and he was not a goon player C A McLean

[@codystamler9534]

-8 on his career. Always left his team shorthanded. Entertaining though.

[@86tangonovember56]

You can skip to @2:22 when it starts to get to the point.

[@86tangonovember56]

@3:39 is what you were looking for

[@TRILLGFP]

living in winnipego can do that to anyone

[@rrl4245]

More Goon than All-star.

[@kanervatie]

He just wanted to go fishing.

[@alphadog1961]

AND The Beat Goes On ...In WINNIPEG.They are flirting with FIRST OVERALL...where The BIG Jet Engines Roar. !

[@llamapenNHL]

For me it was always too much of a coincidence that Byfuglien and Hossa's weird retirements, Toews mysterious year off, and the Kyle Beach shit all happened at the same time. Nobody believes Carcillo was the only one who knew something. I'm not suggesting Buff or any of these guys were the people bullying Beach, but I've always wondered if any of these guys who'd already won cups and had long careers just decided it was easier to step away and avoid the media shitstorm that they probably knew was coming.

[@mijkosnook7787]

nothing like some good conspiracy theories..Loser

[@dixonhill1108]

It has everything to do with hip and ankle issues. He likes fishing and you can't fish if you can't walk. Fans treat players like they aren't real people. Mobility issues are brutal when they hit you in your 60s, getting them in your early 30s is brutal. 20 million with good legs is better than 40 million with bad legs

[@patward8542]

Love Big Buff. He would truck Ryan Reaves in a second.

[@calemorgan3982]

so you don't actually get to know what happened to him after hockey.. click bait don't watch

[@justsayin1900]

Do for you Buff!