HE was ready to hang up his skates last summer, figuring his best hockey was behind him. He was homesick, the contract offers from North America had vanished and he questioned just how many miles his now 35-year-old body had left.
But then came the decision from the National Hockey League not to allow players to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Jim Slater decided retirement could wait as he chased an opportunity, however slim it might have seemed.
He stepped up his training. He paid meticulous attention to his diet. He added an offensive flair to his already stellar defensive game.