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Matt Duchene, Wannabe Cowboy

By Nadia Archuleta

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Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene is a great center, one we’re all hoping becomes elite. He has a winning faceoff percentage (52.2%). He’s gotten 20+ goals and 50+ four times in his six-year career. He’s been top four on the Avalanche almost every year. He has gold medals both at IIHF Worlds and at the Olympics.

However, Matt Duchene has a hankering to be a cowboy.

Check out his Twitter bio, and the second entry is “wannabe country singer.” Heck, the first entry, “die-hard fisherman” speaks to his being a country boy. Both of those come before the fact of his being an NHL center and gold medalist.

Matt Duchene, Musician

Matt Duchene has long been known for being a guitarist. Here’s a video from five years ago of his guitar skills:

Duchene has also had the opportunity to sing on stage with big country acts. Last summer he got on stage with country singer Jake Owen at Casino Rama:

He further got on stage last summer with country singer Rhett Butler to sing the famous Garth Brooks country song “Friends in Low Places:”

This summer Duchene has kept up that tradition. As reported by Fox Sports — and Duchene’s own Instagram — Matt Duchene played with country singer Gord Kidd and the 50/50 band at a Music in the Park in his hometown of Haliburton, Ontario. He played the guitar and sang three different songs — “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, “Designated Drinker” by Alan Jackson and “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett.

Duchene spoke to NHL Network’s Kathryn Tappen, who, unfortunately, broadcast the performance on Periscope but didn’t upload the video, about his love of music. Luckily, Duchene posted a snippet of his performance on Instagram:

Duchene even has a summer band with his father.

Had a blast playing at Music in the Park tonight. Thanks to Gord Kidd & the 50/50 band for having me and also to everyone that came out! Next to hockey, definitely my biggest passion! #countrymusic A photo posted by Matt Duchene (@matt9duchene) on Jul 14, 2015 at 7:54pm PDT

In talking to Tappen, Duchene explained that his father plays bass while he plays guitar. He continued:

"“I got a chance to meet Luke Bryan at a recent concert of his.”"

Matt Duchene, who says he’s the “country hookup” on the Colorado Avalanche — once played the NHL video game with Dierks Bentley.

Matt Duchene, Country Boy

When Matt Duchene says he’s a “die-hard fisherman,” that’s no joke. Fishing is pretty much all he tweets and Instagrams about in the summer:

In fact, Duchene is known for having gotten to know Jesse Winchester before the fourth line center had even joined the team last summer. What was their commonality? Fishing, of course.

Last summer, while he was traipsing around North America with buddy and Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby, Duchene was having a house on the lake built. This summer said lake house is completed, and it includes his own personal training room. Duchene posted video and picture of himself working out on Instagram:

In addition to workout equipment, the room is well kitted out with a Colorado flag and pictures of Colorado Avalanche players hoisting the Stanley Cup:

By the way, the dog who keeps showing up in the pictures and video is Paisley the Brittany, named after Duchene’s favorite country singer, Brad Paisley.

Matt Duchene’s Tattoo

Matt Duchene made a splash earlier this summer when his short-sleeved T-shirts (and occasional shirtlessness) showed he’d apparently gotten ink at some recent time. Unfortunately, sports reporters never think to ask about tattoos even though, in my experience, people who get tattoos like to talk about their tattoos.

Finally, an Avalanche fan asked Duchene about his ink on Twitter. Duchene was perfectly happy to respond:

The Bible verse is Philippians 4:13:

"“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”"

The tattoo is clearly seen in the picture of Duchene bench pressing with Paisley.

Matt Duchene — God-fearing, fish-loving, wannabe cowboy — should be returning to Colorado soon to prepare for training camp.

More on Matt Duchene

TBT: Duchene & OReilly as Rookies

Matt Duchene: Star of the Week

Matt Duchene’s Charitable Acts

Dutchy Over Ovi

Trade Rumor: Duchene Not Happening

TBT: Duchene’s First NHL Hattie

Next: Duchene's First NHL Fight

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