James van Riemsdyk once spent $4,500 on a Gucci traxedo during his 'drip-trip' 

By Evan Bell

Modified Aug 29, 2024 20:28 GMT

NHL vet James van Riemsdyk hit free agency this summer after playing out the final year of his contract with the Boston Bruins last season. While speculation about his future in the league persists, one of his former teammates recalled an instance of the left winger's flamboyance.

Ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season, Keith Yandle appeared on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast this week. On it, he spoke about the time van Riemsdyk dropped more than $4,000 on a Gucci brand traxedo.

The clip starts with Yandle speaking about a backpack that James van Riemsdyk carries around with him all the time. As Yandle explains, the backpack is van Riemsdyk's 'Dora the Explorer' backpack that he brings with him everywhere.

In it, the NHL veteran carried his supplements, an arc machine and several other health-based tools. As Yandle explained, van Riemsdyk puts an incredible amount of effort into his health routine, regularly alternating between the sauna and cold exposure while doing breath work.

When Yandle was asked about van Riemsdyk's spending habits, he recalled a "drip trips," where everyone on the team had to be dressed to impress. Van Riemsdyk once took things a step further, purchasing an expensive Gucci Traxedo.

"Oh, my God, this guy shopping. We had, like, a 'drip trip'. We called it, like, everyone had to be dripped out. He went into Gucci, bought, like, a Gucci one-piece suit, like, traxedo, for, like, $4,500. I'm like, 'Dude, you're going to wear this one time?' He's like, 'Yeah.'"

Will James van Riemsdyk sign with a team before the start of the season?

While there was plenty of talk regarding James van Riemsdyk's health-based habits, and his spending habits, the NHL vet is currently a free agent. After playing out a five-year, $35 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Bruins worth $1 million.

This offseason, there has been little word as to whether or not van Riemsdyk will return to the league. Last year, despite staying healthy and playing in 71 games, van Riemsdyk wound up logging just 20 points, the lowest of any single season where he played in more than 70 games.

Given that, many believe that his time in the NHL may be up. With the 2024-25 NHL season rapidly approaching, there has been little word on a potential acquisition from teams around the league.

When looking at the current landscape of free agents, it's hard to deny that van Riemsdyk is one of the best prospects available, despite his drop in production last year. As young teams look to develop prospects, a seasoned veteran like James van Riemsdyk could be exactly what teams like Anaheim need.

With training camps, and the start of the NHL season rapidly approaching, van Riemsdyk will certainly be a name to monitor.