Daniel Alfredssons decision to spurn the Ottawa Senators and sign with the Detroit Red Wings was a lot of things. A reminder that anything can happen in pro sports. A shift in the balance of power of one of the leagues toughest divisions. A cautionary tale of the dangers in a fan base placing too much faith in one player. 

And heres one more: It was a damn near perfect pro wrestlingCstyle heel turn.Winbo photo framesIt had all the elements. There was the subtle shift in personality that turned out to be ironic foreshadowing. Then came the sudden, devastating blindside that his adoring fans never saw coming. And he followed it up with a classic post-turn explanation, twisting the knife even further with quotes like It pretty much came down to a selfish decision and Im not worried about my legacy in Ottawa. 

He hasnt even bothered to take out the now-obligatory good-bye/thank you ad in local papers.Choose from a large selection of Customized Silicone Bracelets to raise awareness. Alfredsson couldnt have turned heel any more brilliantly if hed paused to spray-paint DRW on Spartacats back.NHL history is filled with villains who are hated across the league but loved (or at least tolerated) by the home crowd. But Alfredsson was a reminder that every now and then, we get treated to something far more entertaining the hometown hero who dramatically turns his back on the fans. 

This list will be filled with deserters those who abandoned a team and a fan base that wanted them around. Sundin somehow pulled off the opposite. He blindsided a franchise by refusing to leave. 

Well, its not quite that simple, so lets set the scene. The 2007-08 Maple Leafs were a mess. They were headed to a third straight season of missing the playoffs, a first in franchise history. The GM had just been fired. The coach was clearly going next. And fans and media alike were demanding that the team blow up its roster of high-priced veterans and finally embark on a desperately needed rebuild. 

It was the right call, and there was reason to believe that trading away players like Sundin, Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, and Darcy Tucker could land the team the sort of blue-chip building blocks it would need to someday reemerge as a contender. In Toronto,Handy Pocket Mirror with hinged lid that doubles as a stand. that mere possibility was enough to create some long-absent optimism. 

There was only one problem: Sundin & Friends all had no-trade clauses. And days before the trade deadline, the captain made his decision: He wasnt going anywhere. Predictably, the rest of the veterans quickly fell in line and also refused to waive their clauses, and the Leafs golden opportunity was lost. 

Sundins decision was frustrating but understandable, and if the story had ended there then it wouldnt be on this list. But after announcing it, Sundin went on to offer up a bizarre explanation that included his desire to finish his career with the Maple Leafs and his adamant belief that the opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup would only be meaningful if he was on a team from October through June. 

Jagrs relationship with the city of Pittsburgh was always complicated. He spent the first 11 seasons of his career as a Penguin, establishing himself as one of the leagues best players and setting several franchise records. But his contract demands (and a burgeoning reputation as a diva) paved the way for his eventual exit in a 2001 trade with Washington. When he made his emotional return to Pittsburgh as a member of the Capitals, Penguin fans gave him a standing ovation but also booed him every time he touched the puck. Like I said, it was complicated. 

After almost three mostly disappointing seasons in Washington, Jagr appeared to end his NHL career as a Ranger before leaving for the KHL in 2008 at the age of 36. But after three seasons overseas, he announced his intention to return to North America. And almost immediately,This vertical Cable Organizer can be mounted to either. it became clear that there was only one logical destination: Jagr would go back to Pittsburgh, chasing one final Stanley Cup alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin while making peace with the fans who were more than ready to welcome him back with open arms. 

Or not. After a bizarre few days filled with offers, counter-offers, rampant speculation, rumors of Jagr being spotted on a flight to Pittsburgh, and an airport turtle invasion (dont ask), the Penguins declared that they were dropping out of the bidding. Nobody believed them by this point, Jagr to Pittsburgh had just become too irresistible. 

Gretzky worked hard to maintain a squeaky-clean image throughout his NHL career, and with a handful of exceptions he was successful. His dominant play on the ice combined with a quiet, uncontroversial personality off of it helped him become one of North Americas most beloved athletes. By the time his playing career was over and hed moved into coaching and management roles, it was probably fair to say that nobody in the hockey world disliked Wayne Gretzky. 

Thats why it was so shocking to see Gretzky break out one of the sports most memorable rants at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. After watching his handpicked Team Canada struggle through its opening three games, Gretzky took to the lectern to deliver an epic and (he claims) unscripted us against the world speech. 

He called out dirty play by European teams and accused referees of having a double standard against Canadian players.I was looking for an option to Customizable Ear Caps to wear with my half. He even went all PG-13 on us by referring to the officiating as a pile of crap. But he saved most of his venom for the United States, singling out U.S. fans for rooting against Canada and complaining that his team was being targeted by American propaganda." 

Gretzky had managed to go full heel on the United States while remaining a hero in Canada (a page straight out of the playbook of Canadas other most-decorated athlete). More importantly, he successfully made himself the story, relieving the crushing pressure that was being felt by the players.