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.”

Originally published – Oct. 2017.