#TBT: The "NHL on FOX" Commercials

This summer, it will be 20 years ago that the FOX Network landed television right for the NHL.

The NHL's time on FOX included the "glow puck," animated robots, and some creative and odd commercials that really had that "FOX Attitude."

Here are some of those commercials:

Wayne Gretzky/Mark Messier: The Odd Couple

After his short stint in St. Louis, Gretzky signed with the New York Rangers and it would be the fourth and final team he would play with in his career before retiring in 1999.

It also reunited him with his former Edmonton teammate, Mark Messier, and it gave FOX a chance to do a parody of the 70s sitcom.

John Vanbiesbrouck/Florida Panthers: Leave it To Beezer

John Vanbiesbrouck was one the top goalies in the 90s. The Panthers made an amazing run in the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs before being swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the Final.

Again, we see a reach for nostalgia. There's nothing wrong with that. Compared to some car commercials that feature athletes these days, the acting was fine.

Bowling Would Be Better if it Were Hockey

We've all seen PBA action on ESPN when the worldwide leader needs to fill time on the weekends. If there was checking in bowling, you might see viewership go up slightly.

Mike Ricci (Colorado Avalanche): Dinner Party

START THE VIDEO AT 40 SECONDS

This is the type of commercial you would expect from FOX back in the 90s.

Mike Ricci of the Colorado Avalanche is at a dinner party, and a pastry is up for grabs between him and another guest at the table.

Looking for any advantage to grab the dessert, Ricci says "Oh Look! Midgets on horses, flying kites!"

It worked, but in a more politically correct world in 2015, that commercial would have interest groups demanding it be pulled.

Steve Thomas (New York Islanders): Skates

This had to be filler for the pregame show. It's as cheesy as cheesy could be. Give Thomas credit for going along with it.

The NHL's time with FOX ended after the 1998-1999 season. The network doesn't carry NHL games anymore, but we have the memory of these commercials.