Ex-Ranger Tom Laidlaw on “Survivor” and why he could be in trouble

Former New York Rangers defenseman Tom Laidlaw is a competitor on the newest season of “Survivor.”  This season’s special theme could spell  trouble for the former Blueshirt.

Tom Laidlaw played for the New York Rangers for seven seasons with a reputation as a sturdy, stay-at-home defenseman.  He was the last player to wear number two before Brian Leetch.  Ranger fans who are also fans of the reality show “Survivor” were probably surprised to find the 60-year old on the show as the first Canadian-born competitor in the show’s history.

Laidlaw played ten years in the NHL and was part of a trade for future Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne.   He didn’t exactly dent the twines a lot, scoring only 25 goals in 705 games.   He was an ironman, missing only two games out of the first 320 games of his Rangers career.  That ended when he ruptured his spleen in a 1985 game against the Bruins.

Selected in the sixth round (93rd overall) of the 1976 NHL Entry Draft, he was one of the more successful late round selections by the Blueshirts.   After retiring he has been a players agent and motivational speaker.

In the opening episode of the new “Survivor” season, Laidlaw was heard distinctly telling a fellow contestant that he was a former hockey player who “played for the Rangers.”

Trouble ahead

Every season, “Survivor” introduces a new twist and this season it could spell trouble for the former Blueshirt.   The twist this season is that contestants are sent to an “island of the idols.”  In this case, the “idols” are two former contestants who have been the biggest winners in the show’s history.  On the island, the two provide guidance and tips to the newbies on  how to make it to the show’s final four for a chance to win a million dollars.

One of the “idols” is two-time winner Sandra Diaz-Twine.  The other is Boston Rob Mariano and that is the problem.  It’s obvious that Mariano is proud of his Boston heritage and he has sported a Red Sox cap in all of his appearances.   Knowing the rivalry between Boston and New York, how much help will Boston Rob be willing to provide to a former New York Ranger?

It remains to be seen, but Rangers and Bruins fans will relish that first meeting between the Boston “icon” and the former Blueshirt.   The only hope for Laidlaw is that Mariano’s focus on New York sports teams is the Yankees or that he is not a hockey fan.

Pro athletes on “Survivor”

Laidlaw is the first former NHL player to appear on the show. John Rocker and Jeff Kent were former baseball players.  From the NFL there has been former coach Jimmy Johnson and retired players Tyler Fredrickson, Brad Culpepper, Grant Mattos, Gary Hogeboom and Steve Wright. Cliff Robinson represented the NBA.

This season, beside Laidlaw, there is Elizabeth Beisel, an Olympic swimmer who won silver and bronze medals at the London games.

Former professional athletes usually don’t do too well on the show. For one thing, their fellow contestants often believe that retired athletes don’t need the money (they are usually right).  Athletes are also seen as threats in the challenges.  Only one athlete, Brad Culpepper finished as  high as a runner up and that was in his second try on the show.

Laidlaw made it through the first episode without being voted off though he found himself in some trouble when he spent too much time away from the camp with some other tribe members. It remains to be seen exactly how much his career as an NHL defenseman will affect his gameplay and standing on the show.