Dave Coulier was able to show his love for hockey during his time on Full House
Although Dave Coulier is known for playing the role of Joey Gladstone on Full House (1987), his biggest all-star moment was when he skated in an empty hockey arena with his longtime idol — Gordie Howe.
Gordie Howe was a Canadian professional hockey player who played 26 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent his first 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he got the nickname 'Mr. Hockey.'
Coulier had many happy memories of the sport — growing up in 'Hockeytown U.S.A.' — it's hard not to develop a love for the sport. According to a 1991 interview with The Noblesville Ledger, kids and adults alike all played hockey while he was growing up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
"If you weren't playing hockey — you were dreaming about playing hockey," Coulier said.
Coulier said that when he was playing for fun, he sometimes wondered what it would have been like if he went pro. Even though the idea was on his mind, he wasn't sure he wanted to give up his spot in the Full House family.
"It's fun — it's a lot of fun," Coulier said. "Even if you're not a big hockey fan, it's very interesting to watch us come out and fall and try to play this game."
He played through high school and then joined the Junior Hockey League Team. However, due to an injury, Coulier had to switch up his plans. According to the interview, he was hit in the face with a hockey stick, broke his cheekbone and nose, and almost lost an eye.
Coulier didn't take up the sport again until the first season of Full House almost 11 years later. In 1987, Coulier became involved with a celebrity hockey team after speaking with Christie Houser, the wife of player Jerry Houser.
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Christie Houser played the role of the late mother of the three girls on Full House. The celebrity team played about six games a season. During his downtime from acting, Coulier also became involved with a competitive team in Burbank, California.
Even with all the highlights in his career, his favorite was still meeting Gordie Howe.
"If you ask Wayne Gretzky who his idol is, he'll pick Gordie. Every kid who grew up around the same time as me — they'll pick him," Coulier said. "Me and the legend of hockey — a thrill I'll never top."
Although the thrill will never be topped, we can imagine working on Full House would be a close second. In a 1990 interview with Kearny Hub, Coulier said Full House worked because it was relatable. Even if you didn't like one character, you were bound to fall in love with another one.
"There's something in it for everybody," Coulier said. "We have a father who's struggling. People relate to that. The women certainly enjoy watching John Stamos. I provide a lot of comic relief. And we have a baby. She's not just any baby, either."
It's not hockey, but it was family.
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