Larry Zeidel played in the NHL for Chicago during the 1953-54 season. He played in the NHL again the first year of the
Philadelphia Flyers during the 1967-68 season, a span of 14 years. The difference between Moe Roberts stints in the minors and Zeidels was that Zeidel played in a total of 953 games regular season and playoffs, while Roberts played in 287 games total before their respective returns to the NHL. Zeidel was a regular during the 1967-68 season while Roberts just filled in briefly on his return. Technically Roberts had the longest absence by years but Zeidel certainly played more games in the minors between his first and last games played in the NHL. That may be the record that is more significant than simply a matter of time passed.