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December 11, 2006

Impertinent thoughts on pertinent topics

You really have to feel for Bob Gainey. One of hockey's classiest guys, his family has faced tremendous hardship in the past. His wife lost a painful fight with brain cancer. Unable to cope with the mother's illness and death, a daughter faced off against drugs and alchohol. Now comes word that his 25 year old daughter Laura is lost at sea after being swept off during a rough storm. Laura is reportedly an excellent swimmer and in great physical shape, and the waters are relatively warm for this time of year, but each passing hour is preciously slipping away. One report suggested she could survive for only 36 hours given her body build and water temperatures.

Wayne Gretzky's troubles pail in comparison. But the coach's struggles with the Phoenix Coyotes may be wearing off the lustre on the Great One, suggests Michael Farber. He seemed blessed with a golden touch prior to 2006, but the 2006 Olympic disaster, his Coyotes terrible showing and some personal problems played out in the media, often invasively, have made hockey's greatest asset seem mortal.

Jamie Baker certainly will never be remembered in the same circles as Gainey or Gretzky. In fact I completely forgot about him until NHL.com caught up with the former San Jose Shark for their Unforgettable series. With help from author Doug Ward, the article beautifully recaptures the Sharks 1993-94 playoff upset of the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings.

The historic outdoor hockey game at Moscow's Red Square was deemed a huge success. The game itself ended tied 10-10, with Paul Coffey scoring the tying goal on a penalty shot with 2 seconds left. However they could only build seating for 2,000 people?

I'm not quite sure why, but Rob Longley dedicated his space in the Toronto Sun to remembering the 1963 Toronto Maple Leafs. Interviewing recent Hall of Fame inductee Dick Duff, Longley postulates that the 1963 Leafs are the best Leafs team of all time.

Who am I preparing biographies for release in the near future? Tough guy Ron Delorme, by request, The Pembroke Peach Frank Nighbor, and goalie Tom Barrasso.

Do you have any requests? E-mail me or post your request in the comments section below.

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