Playing ice hockey is a dream for many, and the goal is to have a successful and long career on the ice. However, due to the physical nature of the sport, injuries are very common, and unfortunately, some players have had to end their playing days early.
Former Boston Bruins left winger P.J. Stock is one such player, as his career came to a grinding halt after he sustained an eye injury while playing in the American Hockey League as a member of the Philadelphia Phantoms. He managed to bounce back and have a successful new career in the media. Stock’s story is very similar to that of Jon Pardy, an ice hockey pro who had his career cut short but managed to switch careers and become not only a top media personality but also a poker pro.
Hockey
Jon Pardy was considered a hockey prodigy when he was drafted to the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL. He played with the Rimouski Oceanic between 2007 and 2008 before transferring to the Amherst Ramblers, making the playoffs in 2009. In 2011, Jon Pardy transferred again, this time to the Yarmouth Mariners, and again made the playoffs. His final team was the Clarenville Caribous, where in 2013, he sustained injuries that forced him to leave the sport. While Pardy has always called hockey his first love, he wasn’t going to let injuries define his career.
Big Brother
In 2014, Pardy reappeared on Canadian Big Brother Season 2 at the age of 23. His occupation at the time was a student. Remarkably, Pardy not only made it to the final day but was crowned the eventual winner. His victory in the Canadian Big Brother house is considered one of the iconic moments of the show, as he betrayed his friend and romantic partner, Neda Kalantar, by voting her out as the final head of household. He then won in a near-unanimous decision. It was this victory that opened the door to the poker world and his next career move.
Poker Pro
Pardy credits American hedge fund manager and poker player Bill Perkins for discovering him and turning his life around through poker. After enjoying much success at the felt table, including coming first in the $200 + 35 No Limit Hold’em – Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) Charity Event in 2019, Pardy became an established poker player. He then joined Americas Cardroom in 2020 as one of their poker pros. Since joining the poker platform, Pardy has cashed in 12 WSOP events, both online and in Las Vegas. His biggest cash prize came in 2023 when he walked away with $38,600 at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in London. He has also made a name for himself as one of the top poker streamers on Twitch, offering his followers a blend of humor, insights, and engaging poker gameplay. Today, his total earnings exceed $141,000.
Jon Pardy shows that despite losing his first passion through injury, the competitive spirit never left him as he transitioned to become a top poker player. For more inspirational sports news and articles, do visit the rest of Prime Time Sports Talk.
Main Image Credit: Americas Cardroom
