Whitey Stapleton is a name that has been around the NHL for a long time. People in Phoenix may only recognize the latest version, otherwise known as Mike. But almost 40 years ago, Pat Stapleton, the original Whitey, entered the NHL as a member of the Boston Bruins. He spent one and a quarter seasons there and accumulated 10 points in 90 regular season games.

The four-time NHL All-Star would not stick with an NHL team for good until he joined the Chicago Black Hawks in 1966. That same year, the 5-foot-8, 180 lbs. defenseman would become the father to Mike Stapleton, who would carry dad's nickname of Whitey into the next millenium as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes.

In 1984, the Blackhawks kept the faith in the Stapleton name and picked up Mike in the entry draft as their seventh choice. Two years later, the 20-year-old native of Sarnia, Ontario, would take the ice in one of the most memorable moments of his career so far.

"I was drafted by the Blackhawks, the same team dad played for and was able to wear his number 20 years later. That was a pretty nice honor", said Whitey as he reflected on the moment.

There have been several father-son duos over the years in the NHL, but not many have this sort of relationship between careers.

Don't expect to run into Mike's dad at any games at America West Arena though, as he is keeping himself busy north of the border.

"We have a family farm in Ontario and he (Pat) is working with a Junior B team. He is kind of the general manager and just enjoys working with the young kids. Trying to develop them and help them, he enjoys that a lot," said Mike, adding, "Mom has come out because I have a sister that lives in Arizona, but Dad, it is hard to get him off the farm anymore. He is pretty stuck close to home."

Perhaps the only difference in the two as players would be the position title that they carried. Pat Stapleton was a defenseman, while Mike is a center.

Even though Mike is a forward, his game still resembles that of the one his father played during the 1970s. If you were to look the two up in the history book, you would see numbers that are almost identical. Mike Stapleton is an all-around player. Teammate Shane Doan described him as "the best utility player you can have." Doan also mentioned that the NBA gives out a Sixth Man Award every year, and that Whitey would be the NHL's equivalent.

Playing hockey in Phoenix is probably something that Pat Stapleton thought he would never see, and something that Mike has adjusted to rather well. As a member of the Winnipeg Jets, Mike and his wife Laura would take tennis lessons indoors, "because it was about the only thing we could do," he said. "You get to go outside more here. We try to make the best of any situation. Moving to Arizona has opened up a new can of worms. I know my wife enjoys mountain climbing."

If there is one thing Whitey misses, it's the white stuff in the winter. "The one thing I think I miss is seeing the seasons changing. I was talking to dad there (in Ontario) a few days ago asking about, you know, if people had the crops off. He said they had the crops off for months. It is hard to relate to weather because it never really changes here."

On the other hand, the lovely and consistent Arizona climate has its advantages. "When you wake up every day and the sun is shining, you have a great outlook on life and as bad as the day before was, it seems to be better the next because its always sunny here, so that's great."

Now, the 12-year veteran can enjoy life even more as he and his teammates have compiled the best record in the NHL over the course of the first two months of the season. Stapleton said there are several reasons that this team is making noise in the league right now. "I think it is a 20-man effort, and we are getting key plays at the right time. Our leaders are probably the main reason we are going (strong). They've accepted the responsibility of being the leaders and doing what they have to do to take us to the next level. Once they went there, everybody followed. It's dedication, responsibility, and maybe growing up a little bit, maturing."

Off the ice, Stapleton likes to play golf and guitar, but don't expect to see him doing any night clubs soon. He said, "I can just strum and fake it I guess. It is just an enjoyment and we have a lot of free time, so it is nice to have a few different, other little hobbies. I kind of enjoy collecting them (guitars) and just tinkering around with them."

Perhaps Luke, Mike's new son, will be the next generation to carry the name Whitey Stapleton in the NHL in about 20 years. After all, he will have the same sort of childhood that his father had. Growing up around NHL players, getting to know some of the biggest names in the game, and having a lot of things to look back on in 40 years. This is not something that the current version of Whitey has done as of yet.

Being the son of an NHL player in the 1970's was not as high profile as it would be today. At least Mike made it seem that way by saying, "I guess growing up, our dad was like any other dad, but did something different, so it was never a big deal in our house."

When you think about some of the players that Whitey Senior played with and against, there is a lot of great NHL history Mike has had the opportunity to be around. Guys like Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr and the Esposito brothers, Tony and Phil, just to name a few.

Then you have the stars of today that Mike has had the opportunity to play with and against, guys like Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. Now with teammates like Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick, it is pretty safe to say most fans of the history of the game would love to have had this opportunity.

Mike has not yet taken time to reflect on it, but he knows the history is there.

"If I sit back when I retire and think about all the people I had a chance to meet when I was playing and when dad was playing, it'd be a pretty neat honor," he said. "Especially the old timers because you run in to them now and then. You sit down with them now and then and have a word with them and that is pretty nice."

When all is said and done with Stapleton's on-ice career, you can look through the history books and see him listed on the same page with his father. The same type of defensive play that brought the first Whitey to the NHL has done the same for the next, and maybe in 20 more years, Luke "Whitey" Stapleton will be added to the books. In the meantime, enjoy the latest version, as players like Mike Stapleton are key ingredients to team success.

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