Former NY Islanders forward Kyle Okposo connects with the DC Universe during Cup run with the Florida Panthers

It's not out of the ordinary for NHL players to draw motivation from things off the ice. Sometimes it may be something a family member is going through, or becoming a new father, but former NY Islanders forward Kyle Okposo went outside the box, using the Caped Crusader as his motivation on the road to glory.

It may sound odd for a 36-year-old who has made millions of dollars playing a game to look to a superhero that first debuted in the 1930s as his source of motivation, but that's exactly what Batman was to Okposo throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After signing with the Buffalo Sabres in the summer of 2016, Okposo went seven seasons without qualifying for the postseason. He was on the road to extending that streak to eight seasons, but then he was traded to the Florida Panthers - one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

During Okposo's time with the Islanders and Sabres, he wore #21. But when he arrived in Sunrise, FL, that number was taken by Nick Cousins. Okposo decided to wear #8, as he did growing up.

"It had been so long since won a title. Last time, I was 17 years old, and I happened to be #8 " Okposo told Bleacher Report. " During that time, I watched the Batman before every single game. Something was reminding me of that on my run with Florida. Before every game in the first round, I watched that Batman from 1989, just like I did when I was 17. Second round, I switched it to Batman Begins. Third round I watched The Dark Knight. And for the finals, I watched The Dark Knight Rises."

Youth athletics are sports in its purest form. Before the most talented players in the world made millions of dollars playing a game, they played for the love of it. Even as fans we sometimes forget it's a game and it's supposed to be fun. Like Okposo did, returning to a simpler time, sometimes we just need to revert to our childhood to reach our highest goals.