When most NHL players retire – especially those who scored upwards of 1,000 points in just over 1,000 games during their career – they fill their days with analyst jobs, coaching positions or even a podcast appearance here and there (at least these days).
And Brian Propp, who spent 11 years wearing black and orange on the ice and then four more on various teams in the league, started his retirement in just that way. He spent the first nine years of his post-NHL life as a radio announcer for the Flyers, played in Flyers Alumni games and pursued some of his own entrepreneurial projects.
But on September 3, 2015, two decades after his final season in the NHL, all of that changed. By the end of that night, Propp had lost all ability to move or speak.
The NHL all-star had suffered a massive stroke. “I had a really bad headache and after midnight, I fell out of bed so bad I lost a tooth, and I couldn’t talk or walk,” he says. “Thankfully, my son was there to call 911. It was scary. Because who knows what’s going to happen?”
He spent the next five days in the hospital, then was transferred to Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia for six weeks of intensive rehab followed by years of continued rehabilitation visits, working with a speech therapist, physical therapist and occupational therapist.
“The recovery was really frustrating at the start, because not being able to communicate was difficult,” he says. “You have to be patient, the brain takes time to heal. Unfortunately, my right fingers and the right side still don’t work that well, but my feet and legs work. I can still play hockey and golf.”
Recovering after a stroke can be one of the most grueling experiences a person endures. There are obstacles, there are set-backs, there is a lot of patience required. It’s in no way easy, but most of all, can be incredibly discouraging, says Propp. “I think athletes – they rehab much better and they don’t give up, it just took me a long time to figure out that I wanted everything to happen so much faster than it was.”
But Propp saw his biggest improvement after receiving a specialized stem cell treatment, taking blood cells from his hip and reprogramming them before returning them to his body. “I immediately noticed a big difference with my speech after I did that,” he says. “And I use something called a BEMER machine, which is a mat you lie on, and it promotes blood flow. I’ve been using it for eight or nine years, and I don’t get sick anymore.”
Propp details his journey of recovery, plus his hockey career and Canadian upbringing in his newly released book, “Angel On My Wing.”
Growing up in Saskatchewan, a town with a population of 300 people where children start lacing up their skates on the closest frozen pond at age 5, hockey was a staple in Propp’s household, he says. Starting with his father.
“My dad was a Lutheran minister who preached in English and German every Sunday,” he says. “And he was a good hockey player. He could have played in the NHL if he decided to. He was 6’3″ and 210 pounds. When I was younger, he played senior hockey. He was a defenseman, and they called him a dirty minister. But then they had five of us in six years – we’re all 13 months apart – so he gave that away to help.”
“…I could have died nine years ago, so I think somebody was looking over me.”
His father’s gift of faith and his influence inspired Propp to title the book, “Angel On My Wing.” “The title’s a little bit about my dad and faith, because I could have died nine years ago, so I think somebody was looking over me.”
Since the book’s release, Propp has been hosting book signings all over the Philadelphia area, including at Flyers games and local Barnes & Nobles locations. He’s also appeared on podcasts and news shows to spread the word of his story, especially his stroke.
“The story is about my faith and my dad teaching me how to play hockey, but it’s more about the stroke and helping people with things that I’ve done, with rehab that I’ve done. People who have strokes – it can really help them,” Propp says.
These days, the NHL legend splits his time between Sea Isle and Florida – not because he’s not a fan of New Jersey, but because the cold isn’t good for his health. On the contrary, Propp loves South Jersey. That’s why he’s been here for 45 years.
“I just knew I was gonna work here and stay here,” he says. “I had a place in Margate when I first started with the Flyers, and then I was in Ocean City for 25 years. The Jersey Shore is easy to get to and has nice beaches, the ocean’s right there.”
But it’s not all fun in the sun for Propp. He’s still putting in the work as owner/founder of his cigar company, Guffaw, and he helps promote his wife’s wellness business in Marlton.
He also routinely gives back to the community that loved him for so many years, participating in charity golf and hockey tournaments to raise money for causes like cancer research, at-risk youth and, of course, stroke recovery and research.
Since his stroke, Propp also speaks regularly to stroke survivors. “A couple people I met while speaking for a few years at Bancroft, I try to call them and give them a little more rehab help and tell them don’t give up,” Propp says. “And they have my number, so if they want anything, they call me. My dad taught me to be humble, give back and never give up. And have hope for people. It’s something I’ve done my whole life.”
Propp’s father imparted his lesson of hope when Propp was departing for his first season with the Flyers. “He taught me to be happy with myself and the rest of life will take care of itself,” he says. “You know, you never know when you’re going to die. Look at what happened in New Jersey with the Gaudreau’s, and Brad McCrimmon died in a plane crash. I’m happy to be alive.”