The hero on the ice is usually not the absolute best player. A lot of the time it is the player who is always giving it their all. Even if they get 5 minutes a night, you know you are getting a top effort 5 minutes, which ends up being more than a lot of other players are willing to give. They are the players who will always be first in on the dump and chase, willing to grind it out in the corner, and put their body in the way of shots whenever they can. They don't like doing it, no one does, but they are willing to do it. They are the ones who always has time for the fans, they know who is the real value behind their pay checks. They are the players fans love because after spending their hard earned money to come to a rare game, they will put forth their best effort, no matter if it is the second game, or game 7 of the championship finals. These grinders / fighters / warriors / gladiators of the rink are the true heroes.