For most of us, playing defense against the world’s greatest hockey players 82 times a year would constitute a trip into the wild. But for Kings’ defenseman Brad Stuart, it’s just another day at the office. Stuart‘s idea of uncommon adventure and extraordinary challenge was found in the common environs of his neighborhood bookseller.
A few years ago, Stuart was browsing the racks, thumbing through the pages of the latest bestsellers, when a book reached out and grabbed him. He read the back cover and couldn’t put it down.
The tome was “Into the Wild,” author Jon Krakauer’s account of the post-collegiate ramblings of unconventional adventurer Chris McCandless. The volume soon became Stuart’s favorite book.
“It was a fascinating story,” Stuart said. “It was interesting that he had a desire to leave the material life behind.”
Into the Wild of the NHL (lakings.com) 
