More from TSN.ca and NHL.com.
December 31, 2010
The Greatest Game
It is simply known as "The New Year's Eve Classic." Any good hockey fan knows exactly what game that refers to - the 3-3 tie between the famed Montreal Canadiens and famed Soviet Red Army on December 31st, 1975. So many people also refer to it as the greatest hockey game ever played.What made this mid-season exhibition game so important? Why has it remained such a touchstone for so many people? What effect did have on the future course of the sport?
That is the focus of Todd Denault's new book The Greatest Game: The Montreal Canadiens, the Red Army, and the Night That Saved Hockey.
Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com - E-Book
This is Denault's follow up title to his inaugural book/instant classic Jacques Plante: Man Who Changed Face of Hockey. Denault returns with his trademark exhaustive research and presents one of the most important hockey books ever written.
In order to answer the aforementioned questions, Denault first sets the stage for that game.That meant going back a full two decades to 1954 when the awesome strength of Soviet hockey was first introduced to Canada, and the idea of a game between the Soviets best and a NHL team was born.
Read the full book review courtesy HockeyBookReviews.com
Remembering Pidhirny, Simmons
Before 2010 passes, we best remember a couple more former NHL players who died in 2010.
Harry Pidhirny was one of the greatest players in AHL history, and a former Boston Bruins.
Don Simmons was a goalie in the late 1950s and 1960s. He is best known as the second goalie in history to regularly wear a face mask.
Harry Pidhirny was one of the greatest players in AHL history, and a former Boston Bruins.
Don Simmons was a goalie in the late 1950s and 1960s. He is best known as the second goalie in history to regularly wear a face mask.
December 30, 2010
Linden, Meeker Named to Order of Canada
Congratulations goes out to Trevor Linden and Howie Meeker for being named to the Order of Canada.
Memories of Wayne Gretzky's 51 Game Point Streak
On Wednesday night Sidney Crosby's amazing 25 game point scoring streak came to an end, thanks to the most unlikely of opponents - the lowly New York Islanders. The goaltender who accomplished the feat was Rick DiPietro.
Which instantly reminded me of Markus Mattsson. Mattsson is a long forgotten goaltender known for two trivia questions:
Had his record breaking streak not been on the line, Gretzky almost certainly would have stopped playing. But he soldiered on, extending the streak by three games (including a 2 goal, 4 point, 1 armed performance against Vancouver in game 50). After getting shutout in game 52, Gretzky did sit out the next six games to recover from the injury. But, as the league's biggest draw, Gretzky still participated in the annual All Star Game first!
Gretzky returned from the injury and scored points in 20 out of the 22 remaining games. He finished that season with an unthinkable 87 goals, 118 assists and 205 points in 74 games. In the amazing 51 game scoring streak he registered 61 goals and 92 assists for 153 points!
By the way, the record of 51 consecutive games with a point could be considered to be even higher. Gretzky's 51 straight games was from the start of the 1983-84 season. But he ended the previous season with a 10 game point scoring streak. Shouldn't the record be considered 61 games?
Here is a few more interesting numbers from Gretzky's amazing streak and season:
Which instantly reminded me of Markus Mattsson. Mattsson is a long forgotten goaltender known for two trivia questions:
- On November 2, 1978, Mattsson, then with the WHA's Winnipeg Jets, surrendered Wayne Gretzky's first goal with the Edmonton Oilers.
- On January 28th, 1984, Mattsson, then with the Los Angeles Kings, held Wayne Gretzky pointless for the first time that season, ending Gretzky's 51 consecutive game point streak.
Gretzky returned from the injury and scored points in 20 out of the 22 remaining games. He finished that season with an unthinkable 87 goals, 118 assists and 205 points in 74 games. In the amazing 51 game scoring streak he registered 61 goals and 92 assists for 153 points!
By the way, the record of 51 consecutive games with a point could be considered to be even higher. Gretzky's 51 straight games was from the start of the 1983-84 season. But he ended the previous season with a 10 game point scoring streak. Shouldn't the record be considered 61 games?
Here is a few more interesting numbers from Gretzky's amazing streak and season:
- Twice Gretzky scored 8 points in a single game during the streak - 3 goals, 5 assists against New Jersey and 4 goals and 4 assists against Minnesota. He also had 7 points against Winnipeg, 6 against Quebec and 5 points on seven occasions (plus twice more after the streak ended).
- Gretzky barely extended the streak to 44 games. In that 44th game he scored an empty net goal with just two seconds left in the game. It was his only point of that night.
- Gretzky scored his 50th goal of the season in game 42. He had his 100th point in game 34!
- The Oilers went 1-5 and were outscored 38-19 in the six games Gretzky missed.
- The Oilers would win their first Stanley Cup that spring. Including playoff goals, Wayne Gretzky scored 100 goals that season.
December 29, 2010
Too Much For Tootoo
Recently Nashville Predators popular forward Jordin Tootoo left the ice and checked himself into the NHL and NHL Players' Association Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.
At this point it is not important that the public know what Tootoo is dealing with, but a Globe and Mail editorial hit the nail on the head when it suggested that Tootoo's biggest impact in life will not be a hard hit on the ice, but how he handles the aftermath of his decision to leave the ice.
The term “role model” has become a cliché in sports. But in his case, it fits. Young people in Nunavut really do view Jordin Tootoo as pushing back the boundaries of what they might achieve. He has always taken seen himself in this light. “It’s something I take pride in. Hopefully, more kids can look up to me and say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’” A very human role model, Mr. Tootoo is playing in a game more important than hockey, and if he can succeed, others can, too.
The editorial also shed some very interesting light on what may have convinced Tootoo to seek help:
What made him go for help now? His mother didn’t know, but said she gave him Theo Fleury’s autobiography, Playing With Fire, for Christmas. Mr. Fleury’s substance abuse nearly killed him during his NHL career, and he has gone on to become an eloquent advocate for child protection and support for the addicted. “It seems to me the last person who can see your life going down the tubes is yourself,” the 42-year-old said on Tuesday.
Good luck should be wished upon Jordin Tootoo. Whether he realizes it or not, there are a lot people who need him to win this battle more so than any other.
At this point it is not important that the public know what Tootoo is dealing with, but a Globe and Mail editorial hit the nail on the head when it suggested that Tootoo's biggest impact in life will not be a hard hit on the ice, but how he handles the aftermath of his decision to leave the ice.
The term “role model” has become a cliché in sports. But in his case, it fits. Young people in Nunavut really do view Jordin Tootoo as pushing back the boundaries of what they might achieve. He has always taken seen himself in this light. “It’s something I take pride in. Hopefully, more kids can look up to me and say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’” A very human role model, Mr. Tootoo is playing in a game more important than hockey, and if he can succeed, others can, too.
The editorial also shed some very interesting light on what may have convinced Tootoo to seek help:
What made him go for help now? His mother didn’t know, but said she gave him Theo Fleury’s autobiography, Playing With Fire, for Christmas. Mr. Fleury’s substance abuse nearly killed him during his NHL career, and he has gone on to become an eloquent advocate for child protection and support for the addicted. “It seems to me the last person who can see your life going down the tubes is yourself,” the 42-year-old said on Tuesday.
Good luck should be wished upon Jordin Tootoo. Whether he realizes it or not, there are a lot people who need him to win this battle more so than any other.
December 27, 2010
Bobby Hull's Wool Sweater
It's cold outside! Perfect day for a snowshoe hike. But I better take a sweater. So I will leave you today with this old advertisement from 1979. It's Bobby Hull posing for a Winnipeg clothing company called Tundra.
World Junior Success No Guarantee
Every year I await the World Junior Hockey Championships with great anticipation. I’ve been watching religiously since 1989, and over the years I have become enamored with the next generation of Canadian superstars.
I remember Rob Cimetta’s 7 goals in 7 games back in 1989. Dan Ratushny captained the 1990 team to a gold medal, thanks to the scoring exploits of Dave Chyzowski, Mike Needham and Dwayne Norris. Who can forget John Slaney’s gold medal winning goal on Saskatoon ice. From 1993 through 1997, Canada won five consecutive gold medals, thanks to the heroics of players like Brent Tully (all star in 1993), Martin Gendron, Yanick Dube, Rick Girard (scoring leaders in 1994), Marty Murray, (scoring leader, Best Forward directorate award in 1995), Jason Botterill (3 gold medals – 1995, 1996, and 1997), Christian Dube and Cameron Mann (scoring leaders 1997).
Did you notice anything odd about that list of excellence?
That’s right, you very possibly never heard of any of those guys. They were all NHL busts, and, with the benefit of hindsight, the World Junior Championships rosters are loaded with them.
Canada produces dozens, even hundreds of junior players to the professional ranks every year. You would think that when the top 20 players are named to the Canadian junior national team that those players are all destined for NHL success, barring injuries of course.
But apparently not.
Let’s take a closer look, and examine only the best of the best. Between 1980 and 2000, the following Canadian players were named as All Stars at the World Junior Championships:
1982 – Mike Moffat, Gord Kluzak, Mike Moller
1985 – Bob Dollas
1986 – Sylvain Cote, Shayne Corson
1988 – Jimmy Waite, Theoren Fleury, Greg Hawgood
1989 – Dave Chyzowski, Stephane Fiset
1991 – Eric Lindros, Mike Craig
1992 – Scott Niedermayer
1993 – Manny Legace, Brent Tully, Paul Kariya
1995 – Bryan McCabe, Marty Murray, Jason Allison, Eric Daze
1996 – Jose Theodore, Jarome Iginla, Nolan Baumgartner
1997 – Chris Phillips, Christian Dube
1999 – Roberto Luongo, Daniel Tkaczuk, Brian Campbell
This list can be sorted into three categories:
NHL players – I think there’d be little debate if I included Cote, Corson, Fleury, Lindros, Niedermayer, Legace, Kariya, McCabe, Allison, Daze, Iginla, Theodore, Phillips, Luongo and Campbell on this list of legitimate NHL players. I’ll include Kluzak, whose promising career was derailed by injuries. That’s 16 NHL calibre players.
Fringe NHL players - Hawgood and Baumgartner have nearly identical careers but neither could quite carve out a career in the NHL.
NHL busts – When was the last time you heard about Moffat, Moller, Dollas, Waite, Chyzowski, Fiset, Craig, Tully, Murray, Dube or Tkaczuk.
By my admittedly unscientific count, that’s 16 NHL players, and 11 busts. A 59% success rate by Canada’s WJC all stars. A much more in depth analysis would be necessary to determine a success rate for entire rosters over the years, but I’m going to hazard a guess the success rate would be lower than 59% at the all star level.
The World Juniors have captivated Canadians unlike any annual international event. It is a Christmas tradition, and considered by many to be the best hockey tournament outside of the Stanley Cup playoffs. A few years from now we will look back at recent rosters, and wonder why so many players never panned out in the NHL.
It is something to think about as we cheer on Sean Couturier, Erik Gudbranson, and Mark Visentin. It may our last chance to do so.
December 26, 2010
Celebrating International Hockey
Boxing Day has morphed into a day where mindless consumerism exceeds pre-Christmas sales. But to many in Canada, Boxing Day means only one thing - the start of the World Junior Hockey Championships!
The WJC has reached near Grey Cup levels here in Canada, thanks in large part to TSN's devoted coverage. The all sports channel should be nicely rewarded with viewership numbers today, as Team Canada kicks off the tournament against their eternal rivals from Russia.
This year's tournament is held in Buffalo. The Sabres have been in the NHL for 40 years now. Their international hockey history is not deep, but their is certainly one memorable international clash in the city.
Szymon Szemberg of IIHF.com remembers the night "When The Sabres Clipped The Wings."
"The most memorable international game which echoed around the hockey world was played in Buffalo at the old Memorial Auditorium – the Aud – on January 4, 1976, as part of what was called the “Super Series” when the Soviet Union’s two best club teams – CSKA and Krylia Sovietov from Moscow – battled eight of the NHL’s top teams."
Read the full story here. Also, be sure to read up on my history of the 1976 Super Series, including the game summary of the Sabres/Soviet Wings game.
Be sure to turn into TSN and The Globe and Mail for full WJC coverage. I especially enjoyed the Globe's photo trip down memory lane.
The WJC has reached near Grey Cup levels here in Canada, thanks in large part to TSN's devoted coverage. The all sports channel should be nicely rewarded with viewership numbers today, as Team Canada kicks off the tournament against their eternal rivals from Russia.
This year's tournament is held in Buffalo. The Sabres have been in the NHL for 40 years now. Their international hockey history is not deep, but their is certainly one memorable international clash in the city.
Szymon Szemberg of IIHF.com remembers the night "When The Sabres Clipped The Wings."
"The most memorable international game which echoed around the hockey world was played in Buffalo at the old Memorial Auditorium – the Aud – on January 4, 1976, as part of what was called the “Super Series” when the Soviet Union’s two best club teams – CSKA and Krylia Sovietov from Moscow – battled eight of the NHL’s top teams."
Read the full story here. Also, be sure to read up on my history of the 1976 Super Series, including the game summary of the Sabres/Soviet Wings game.
Be sure to turn into TSN and The Globe and Mail for full WJC coverage. I especially enjoyed the Globe's photo trip down memory lane.
December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas Canucks Fans
Here's some more team issued Christmas cards courtesy of Erle Schneidman of CanadiensMemorabilia.com
December 21, 2010
1930s Munro Table Top Hockey - There's An App For That
The original was an all wooden game that more closely resembles pinball than the sophisticated table top hockey games that followed through the years. But the bottom line was it was endless fun.
Chances are you do not have a 1930s Munro table lying around, but you can still experience all that endless fun in it's newest form. That classic game has been re-released - as an App. That's right, now you can play table top hockey on your iPhone, iPod or iPad!
Here is the direct link to the iTunes site.
And here is a link to a website devoted to the wonderful world of Table Top Hockey - www.tablehockeyheaven.com
And of course, here is my old article on the subject - Table Hockey Dreams.
December 20, 2010
It's Christmas Time!
It's Christmas week. Schools are mostly out. Many people are taking the week off from work to be with their families. Website traffic tends to slow up pretty good this week, so I wanted to make sure I thanked all of my loyal readers once again for an amazing 2010, and wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
For those of you who do come back to visit regularly this week, I will have a number of hockey/Christmas themed features for you to enjoy. In fact, I have so many I don't know how to all give them their proper due!
Let's start with the classic: Johnny Bower's Honky The Christmas Goose:
This is Johnny Bower's Honky The Christmas Goose CD. It came out in 1965, on vinyl of course, and had some measure of success.Not everyone knows it, but Johnny Bower fancied himself as quite the singer. In his most famous recording, Johnny teamed up with his own son John and some other children, known as the Rinky Dinks, to release Honky The Christmas Goose (click on link to listen to the entire song). They also sang "Banjo the mule," but to no great success.
Tune in this week for more hockey related Christmas stories!
December 19, 2010
Pucks On The Net
Here are a couple of articles I've noted recently as must reads:
- Knutsen, Cecil Family Find Closure: It has already been nine years since a deflected Espen Knutsen slap shot resulted in the puck striking 13 year old Brittanie Cecil in the audience, leading to her death. Knutsen and Cecil family have finally just met and closure seems to have been achieved.
- Corey Fulton Working Way Back From Hockey Tragedy: We all remember Don Sanderson, the senior hockey player in Ontario who died in a hockey fight. But no one knows the story of the guy he was fighting. His name is Corey Fulton, and he has had a real tough time coming to terms with what happened.
December 18, 2010
Hockey Books For Christmas!
Here's look at the class of 2010 hockey books:
100 Things Bruins Fans Should Know by Matt Kalman
100 Things Flyers Fans Should Know by Adam Kimelman
A Passion To Win by Lou Nanne
A to Z Guide To Hockey Terms 2nd Edition
Battle of Alberta Trivia Book by Mike Leonetti
Best of the Best by Scott Morrison/Hockey Night In Canada
Blood Feuds by The Hockey News
Canada's Top 100 Greatest Athletes by Maggie Mooney
Canuck Captains by Jason Farris
Canucks At 40 by Greg Douglas, Grant Kerr
The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys by James Duthie
The Diary of a Dynasty by Kevin Shea, Paul Patskou
Discrimination in the NHL by Bob Sirois
Don Cherry's Hockey Stories Part 2 by Don Cherry
Eddie Shore And That Old Time Hockey by C. Michael Hiam
Final Call by Kerry Fraser
The Glory Of Our Game by Richard Buell
The Golden Jet by Bobby Hull with Bob Verdi
Gold Medal Diary by Hayley Wickenheiser
The Greatest Game by Todd Denault
Hawkeytown by Chicago Tribune
He Shoots . . . He Skewers by Roger Duncan
The Hockey Book by Sports Illustrated
Hockey Greats: Awesome Centres by Mike Leonetti
Hockey Is A Funny Game by Merv Magus
Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies by HHOF
Hockey Now! (Sixth Edition) by Mike Leonetti
Hockey's Top 100: Game's Greatest Goals by Weekes and Banks
Hockey Superstitions by Andrew Podnieks
I Am Not Making This Up by Al Strachan
Junior Hockey's Royal Franchise - The Regina Pats
The Making Of Slap Shot by Jonathon Jackson
Michigan Ice Hockey by Greg Nelson
The Mighty Blackhawks by Chicago Sun-Times
Next Ones: Hockey's Future Superstars by Lorna Shultz-Nicholson
Official Guide To Players of HHOF by HHOF
The Ovechkin Project by Damien Cox and Gare Joyce
Play Better Hockey by Ron Davidson
Pucklore: A Hockey Research Anthology by SIHR
Raising Stanley by Ross Bernstein
Reflections: Best of the Decade by NHL
Retired Numbers by Andrew Podnieks
They Call Me Killer by Brian Kilrea/James Duthie
Tim Horton: Stanley Cups to Coffee Cups by Don Quinlan
Total Penguins by Rick Buker
Tough Guy by Bob Probert with Kirstie McLellan Day
Twenty Greatest Hockey Goals by Eric Zweig
We Are The Champions by The Hockey News
The Year Of The Blackhawks by Andrew Podnieks
New to Paperback
Gretzky's Tears - Stephen Brunt
I'd Trade Him Again - Peter Pocklington
Jacques Plante - Todd Denault
Playing With Fire - Theoren Fleury
Fiction/Other
Becoming Canada by Ken Dryden
Dragons, Donkey and Dust by Rudy Kong
The Hanging Tree by Bryan Gruley
The Hockey News All New Top 100 (commemorative magazine)
The Penalty Killing by Michael McKinley
Kids Books
Advice For A Young Hockey Player
Brady Brady and the Missed Hatrick by Mary Shaw
Freddy's Hockey Hero by Susan Chalker Browne
Hockey 123 - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey ABC - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Colours - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Shapes - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Opposites by Per Henrik Gurth
One Hockey Night by David Ward with Brian Deines
Thanks To My Hockey Coach
Young Adult
Delaying The Game by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson
Getting The Edge by Gabrielle Vanderhoof
The Hat Trick by Tom Earle
Hockey Superstars by Paul Romanuk
Hockey Talk by John Goldner
Jarome Iginla by Nicole Martillaro
Jordin Tootoo by Melanie Florence
Something To Prove: Bobby Clarke by Nicole Martillaro
The Mighty Tim Horton by Mike Leonetti
Peter Puck's Big Book of Hockey by Brian McFarlane
Rink Rivals by Jacqueline Guest
Roughing by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson
December 16, 2010
IIHF Hall of Fame Welcomes Six in 2011
From IIHF.com:
Karyn Bye, USA, will become the fifth woman to be inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame. She will be joined by players Tord Lundström (Sweden), Bohumil Modry (Czech Republic), Ladislav Trojak (Slovakia), Doru Tureanu (Romania), and Kalevi Numminen (Finland) in the Builders’ category.
Here's the full story, including biographies.
Karyn Bye, USA, will become the fifth woman to be inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame. She will be joined by players Tord Lundström (Sweden), Bohumil Modry (Czech Republic), Ladislav Trojak (Slovakia), Doru Tureanu (Romania), and Kalevi Numminen (Finland) in the Builders’ category.
Here's the full story, including biographies.
Hockey Under Your Christmas Tree
Some handy shopping links:
Amazon.ca:
Amazon.ca Hockey Bestsellers
. 
Amazon.com Hockey Bestsellers
Pucks On The 'Net
A few quick shots on the 'Net:
- Georges Laraque has put up $100,000 of his own money to help move an elephant from cold captivity in Edmonton.
- Chico Resch looks back on hockey and life.
- Scotty Bowman recently compared Nicklas Lidstrom and Doug Harvey. I would love to hear Bowman's thoughts on thoughts on Harvey's modern day comparable - Chris Pronger. Not the physical play, but just the way he is able to set the pace of the action every time he has the puck.
- Nicklas Lidstrom scored his first hat trick of his career, in his 1442nd regular season game! I'm trying to confirm that makes him the oldest defenseman ever to register a hat trick.
- Jarome Iginla recently scored his 6th overtime winning goal of his career, setting a new Flames record. It was Iginla's first OT goal in Calgary.
- Jonathan Quick stopped all 51 shots in a 5-0 win over Detroit this week, setting a new Kings record for most saves in a shutout performance.
December 15, 2010
NY Rangers Loved Christmas Day Games
That 1949 game was particularly memorable. The Rangers knocked off the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 3-1. But it was the Rangers' forward Phil Watson who made the night unforgettable for those lucky enough to be in attendance.
Watson took to the pre-game warm up dressed up in a Santa Claus outfit. He went through his full workout routine disguised as jolly old St. Nick - taking shots, passing puck and even playfully checking his teammates!
Everyone loved the stunt. And how could the Rangers possibly lose the game? They had Santa on their side!
Update: Hockey Super Sleuth Jennifer Conway found this newspaper clipping of Watson's Christmas escapade (click on the photo for a larger image):
December 14, 2010
Gretzky Loved His Soaps
Hockey players work in the morning and at night. Besides napping, what do they do with their afternoons off?
Some, including a young Wayne Gretzky, became addicted to soap operas. So much so that The Great One actually made a guest appearance on one.
On the November 12th, 1981 episode of The Young And The Restless, Gretzky made a guest appearance as a mafia goon. Yes, the feather-weight hockey player who looked like a 14 year old string-bean more so than a typical hockey thug, was cast as a thug. Obviously whoever wrote the script had no idea who Gretzky really was!
The script writer did give Gretzky one line to speak. Gretzky's theatrical debut consist of six words. "I'm Wayne from the Edmonton operation."
Somehow, this cameo appearance has escaped the digital archives known as YouTube. But I did find this interview with Tommy Banks where he does talk about soap operas (at about the 5 minute mark). The interview is about 10 months before his guest appearance on The Young And The Restless.
On the November 12th, 1981 episode of The Young And The Restless, Gretzky made a guest appearance as a mafia goon. Yes, the feather-weight hockey player who looked like a 14 year old string-bean more so than a typical hockey thug, was cast as a thug. Obviously whoever wrote the script had no idea who Gretzky really was!
The script writer did give Gretzky one line to speak. Gretzky's theatrical debut consist of six words. "I'm Wayne from the Edmonton operation."
Somehow, this cameo appearance has escaped the digital archives known as YouTube. But I did find this interview with Tommy Banks where he does talk about soap operas (at about the 5 minute mark). The interview is about 10 months before his guest appearance on The Young And The Restless.
The Price Is Right For NHL
On December 20th, 2010 watch for former NHLer Jeremy Roenick to join current stars Sidney Crosby, and Alexander Ovechkin on the classic game show The Price is Right.
December 13, 2010
12 Days of Christmas - Hockey History Style
December 13th! There's 12 days until Christmas! And I'm in a caroling mood! Sing with me....
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
Twelve Hockey Books
Eleven Don Cherry's Piping
Ten Mike Foligno's Leaping
Nine J.R.'s Dancing
Eight Hib's A-Milking
Seven Gretzky Assists
Six Sutter Brothers (also click here, here and here)
FIVE OLYMPIC RINGS
Four Bobby Orrs
Three French Men
Two Missing Teeth
and Johnny Bower's Honky The Christmas Goose CD
Okay, so I've taken the original meanings behind the 12 days of Christmas a bit out of context (by the way, did you know it would cost you over $96,000 if you went out and actually bought all the original items?).
I've changed the classic Christmas carol and reworked it to better fit a hockey history fan's tastes. By the way, this rewritten version would cost a heck of a lot more that $96G!
Here's more of an explanation.
Twelve Hockey Books - Hey you've only got a few shopping days left. You better hit up Hockey Book Reviews.com and order up some titles while Amazon is still guaranteeing delivery by the the 24th.
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
Twelve Hockey BooksEleven Don Cherry's Piping
Ten Mike Foligno's Leaping
Nine J.R.'s Dancing
Eight Hib's A-Milking
Seven Gretzky Assists
Six Sutter Brothers (also click here, here and here)
FIVE OLYMPIC RINGS
Four Bobby Orrs
Three French Men
Two Missing Teeth
and Johnny Bower's Honky The Christmas Goose CD
Okay, so I've taken the original meanings behind the 12 days of Christmas a bit out of context (by the way, did you know it would cost you over $96,000 if you went out and actually bought all the original items?).
I've changed the classic Christmas carol and reworked it to better fit a hockey history fan's tastes. By the way, this rewritten version would cost a heck of a lot more that $96G!
Here's more of an explanation.
Twelve Hockey Books - Hey you've only got a few shopping days left. You better hit up Hockey Book Reviews.com and order up some titles while Amazon is still guaranteeing delivery by the the 24th.
Eleven Don Cherry's Piping - I bet you didn't know the star of Coach's Corner knows how to play the bag pipes. By the way, Glenn Healy also blows. Pun fully intended. He actually suffered a deep hand laceration while playing the pipes. I thought goalies only got injured while between the pipes?
Ten Mike Foligno's Leaping - Ah, the victorious jump into the air after each of Mike Foligno's 355 NHL goals.
Nine J.R.'s Dancing - How can we forget Jeremy Roenick providing a little on-ice entertainment?
Eight Hib's A-Milking - My colleague James Milks is the descendant of Hib Milks, a NHL star in the 1920s. James has long worked on his website, LostHockey.com, where he dedicates much of his time to hockey from those early days.
Seven Gretzky Assists - On three separate occasions Wayne Gretzky scored 7 assists in a single game. Santa Claus could use that kind of helping hand!
Six Sutter Brothers - Six brothers all making it to the National Hockey League. That is still somehow unbelievable! Brian. Daryl. Duane. Brent. Rich. Ron. Sons Brandon and Brett are now also part of NHL lore.
FIVE OLYMPIC RINGS - Some of hockey's greatest moments came at the Olympics. There was the good ol' days when the Soviets dominated with the likes of Vladislav Tretiak, Alexander Ragulin, Boris Mikhailov, Igor Larionov and Viacheslav Fetisov. Of course, there are the more modern times where the NHL closes down and takes over the Olympics. In 1998 it was Robert Reichel captaining the Czech Republic to the gold. In 2002 Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and co brought the gold back to Canada. And of course in 2006 it was Sweden's turn.
Four Bobby Orrs - Number Four, Bobby Orr needs no introduction. Four Orrs, my grandpa at center and my grandma in nets and I'll beat any 6 players you can ice, any where, any time.
Three French Men - Buffalo's French Connection Line. Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert.
Two Missing Teeth - Bobby Clarke's toothless grin will stand the test of time
and Johnny Bower's Honky The Christmas Goose CD
Not everyone knows it, but Johnny Bower fancied himself as quite the singer. In his most famous recording, Johnny teamed up with his own son John and some other children, known as the Rinky Dinks, to release Honky The Christmas Goose (click on link to listen to the entire song). They also sang "Banjo the mule," but to no great success. Honky actually made it to #29 on the Canadian music charts in 1965.
Five More Profiles Added
I dug into my personal archives and have come up with five new profiles of former hockey stars here for GreatestHockeyLegends.com:
- Vic Howe - If there is anybody who could understand what it was like to be Brent or Keith Gretzky, it was Gordie Howe's younger brother, Vic.
- Harry Hyland - This Hockey Hall of Famer knew how to score goals. He once scored 8 goals in a single game!
- Ivan Irwin - They nicknamed him Ivan The Terrible, but was it for his intimidating presence, or for his play with the puck?
- Kim Issel - Another in a long list of Edmonton Oilers draft busts in the late 1980s and 1990s.
- Victor Ignatjev - Just when it seemed Victor Ignatjev's big NHL break was coming, he blew out his shoulder.
December 12, 2010
Naslund Honoured. Bure Next?
A nice (though long) pre-game ceremony in Vancouver Saturday night was held to retire Markus Naslund's #19. It was a nice to see happen as Naslund never got an adequate send off or his own chance to say goodbye when he left Vancouver. Do you remember his last game as a Canuck? Sure you do - it was Trevor Linden's last night, too. For all his on ice excellence and off ice selflessness, Naslund's long lasting legacy has always been overshadowed by Linden in both regards.
Now that Naslund has been properly honoured, is Pavel Bure next? Perhaps the biggest obstacle to that happening might be The Russian Rocket himself. He has had nothing to do with the Canucks since the day he left, and right now he seems to have nothing to do with hockey at all. I understand he is enjoying life and doing some property investing in Miami.
December 11, 2010
Czech Out Bobby Orr
At the conclusion of the1976 Canada Cup, members of Team Canada and Team Czechoslovakia engaged in an impromptu jersey exchange.
Sometime ago someone asked me who did Bobby Orr exchange jerseys with. At the time I do not know, but I have the answer now. The problem is I can not for the life of me remember who asked in the first place. So for whoever asked, here is your answer.
This issue of Weekend Magazine clearly shows that Orr swapped jerseys with his fellow number four, Oldrich Machac.
So who is this Machac fellow? Quite the hockey player himself, it turns out.
"Olin" Machac is a IIHF Hall of Fame defenseman from the late 1960s and 1970s. He was blue line mainstay on a very strong Czechoslovakian team that seriously challenged the Soviets and Canada for hockey surpemacy in the 1970s. He played somewhat in the shadows of his regular national team defense partner, Frantisek Popisil.
Machac was a member of three World Championship teams (he also won 4 silver and 3 bronze medals there). In addition, he was a tournament all start in 1972.
Machac also won three Olympic medals - 2 silver and a bronze. He was also a smart and steady player at the 1976 Canada Cup, helping Team CSSR, not the Soviets, get to the finals against Canada.
Machac played a total of 293 international games for Team CSSR. Only Jiri Holik played in more contests.
He was a star in the Czechoslovakian leagues, most notably with Brno. Six times Machac helped Brno celebrate league championships. The defenseman scored 108 goals in 490 career league games.
In 1978 an aging Machac was allowed to go to the west to finish his hockey career. He played 4 seasons with Rosenheim in Germany. Later in life he worked in the grocery industry.
Here's a great tribute video to the 1976 Canada Cup:
Sometime ago someone asked me who did Bobby Orr exchange jerseys with. At the time I do not know, but I have the answer now. The problem is I can not for the life of me remember who asked in the first place. So for whoever asked, here is your answer.
This issue of Weekend Magazine clearly shows that Orr swapped jerseys with his fellow number four, Oldrich Machac.
"Olin" Machac is a IIHF Hall of Fame defenseman from the late 1960s and 1970s. He was blue line mainstay on a very strong Czechoslovakian team that seriously challenged the Soviets and Canada for hockey surpemacy in the 1970s. He played somewhat in the shadows of his regular national team defense partner, Frantisek Popisil.
Machac was a member of three World Championship teams (he also won 4 silver and 3 bronze medals there). In addition, he was a tournament all start in 1972.
Machac also won three Olympic medals - 2 silver and a bronze. He was also a smart and steady player at the 1976 Canada Cup, helping Team CSSR, not the Soviets, get to the finals against Canada.
Machac played a total of 293 international games for Team CSSR. Only Jiri Holik played in more contests.
He was a star in the Czechoslovakian leagues, most notably with Brno. Six times Machac helped Brno celebrate league championships. The defenseman scored 108 goals in 490 career league games.
In 1978 an aging Machac was allowed to go to the west to finish his hockey career. He played 4 seasons with Rosenheim in Germany. Later in life he worked in the grocery industry.
Here's a great tribute video to the 1976 Canada Cup:
December 10, 2010
Murray Armstrong 1916-2010
Former NHL player and legendary NCAA coach Murray Armstrong died on Wednesday. He was 94 years old.
Here is my full Murray Armstrong profile.
December 09, 2010
Hillbilly Jim Meets Bob Probert
Look at what I found for sale on eBay:
I do not think I would have recognized Hillbilly Jim without his customary overalls. What is up with those pants he's wearing?! And look how much bigger Hillbilly is compared to Bob Probert, who I assume is still wearing his skates and full equipment.
I do not think I would have recognized Hillbilly Jim without his customary overalls. What is up with those pants he's wearing?! And look how much bigger Hillbilly is compared to Bob Probert, who I assume is still wearing his skates and full equipment.
More Profiles Added
Six new profiles added today:
- Mike Zanier - Did you know when Andy Moog won game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup finals, giving Edmonton their first Stanley Cup title, Mike Zanier, not Grant Fuhr, was on the bench as the back-up?
- Pat Price - One of the most heralded junior players ever. Even though he played 13 years in the NHL, he's still considered a draft bust.
- Felix Potvin- They called him "The Cat" because of his quick reflexes as much as for the obvious play on the name
- Colin Patterson - Patty was a defensive forward and grinder with the Calgary Flames in the 1980s.
- 1970s Czech defensive mates Frantisek Pospisil and Oldrich Machac are also featured.
Remembering Vic Lynn
Vic Lynn died on Monday.
Vic Lynn is the only player in NHL history to skate for all of the Original Six teams. Lynn played one game for the New York Rangers in 1943. He was picked up by the Detroit Red Wings and played just three games. He played another two with the Montreal Canadiens in 1945 before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1946. Lynn won three Stanley Cups over five seasons in Toronto. Lynn would also go on to play a few dozen games with both the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks as well.
All that being said, the three time Stanley Cup champion is probably best remembered as a member of the Leafs, and for his long running feud with Rocket Richard.
Here's my full Vic Lynn profile.
Vic Lynn is the only player in NHL history to skate for all of the Original Six teams. Lynn played one game for the New York Rangers in 1943. He was picked up by the Detroit Red Wings and played just three games. He played another two with the Montreal Canadiens in 1945 before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1946. Lynn won three Stanley Cups over five seasons in Toronto. Lynn would also go on to play a few dozen games with both the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks as well.All that being said, the three time Stanley Cup champion is probably best remembered as a member of the Leafs, and for his long running feud with Rocket Richard.
Here's my full Vic Lynn profile.
Gretzky Leaves His Mark In Public Bathroom
That headline certainly caught my attention to. It comes from this Toronto Sun article about Gretz promoting his new series of wines at liquor store in Summerhill.
"After the tanned hockey legend left the building on Wednesday, manager Stewart Bailey made the exciting discovery.
"A white cabinet next to the paper towel dispenser has been defaced with a blue Sharpie: “Thanks for a Great Day! Your Friend Wayne Gretzky 99, Dec 2010”
“We have a book that celebrities usually sign,” Bailey said. “This is the first time anyone has signed the bathroom wall.”
Here's the full article.
"A white cabinet next to the paper towel dispenser has been defaced with a blue Sharpie: “Thanks for a Great Day! Your Friend Wayne Gretzky 99, Dec 2010”
“We have a book that celebrities usually sign,” Bailey said. “This is the first time anyone has signed the bathroom wall.”
Here's the full article.
Delay of Game
On December 9th, 1941, the Boston Bruins game against the Chicago Black Hawks was delayed by 28 minutes. Why? The Boston Garden carried the audio feed of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's declaration of war as the United States entered World War II.
December 08, 2010
New Hockey Legends Profiled
As much as I have here on the front page posting about great stories of hockey's past and historical tie-ins with current events, the heart of this website is definitely the archive of about 1400 biographies of former NHL players.
Now that hockey book season is winding down, I'm getting back to writing profiles. No rhyme or reason, here are my most recent and eclectic additions to the archives:
Now that hockey book season is winding down, I'm getting back to writing profiles. No rhyme or reason, here are my most recent and eclectic additions to the archives:
- Bill Brydge - Hard hitting defender teamed with Red Dutton to give the NY Americans steady defending in the 1930s.
- Stanislav Petukhov - 1950s and 1960s star with Moscow Dynamo would be a perfect fit for the Sedin twins nowadays.
- Alex Kaleta - Could Killer Kaleta really be behind the origins of the term hat trick? Yes or no, be careful you don't anger his wife, as Wild Bill Eznicki found out one night!
December 06, 2010
HHOF Worthy? Bill Guerin
I will always remember Bill Guerin as being an impressive hockey package. He combined speed and power to be a top power forward in his prime. He was big and strong, and was at his best in the more physical games. He could play clean or mean, but he was always looking to hit hard. He worked hard to gain loose pucks and establish position. Once he had the puck he was very hard to knock off of it.
Offensively Guerin had a terrifying slap shot, and developed potent wrist and snap shots as his career progressed. His speed and physicality certainly created room for him to launch pucks with his patented one-timer. Guerin did not have a lot creativity to his game. He was all crash, bash, skate and shoot. He was a conscientious defensive player, although he could get running around in his own zone if he ever lost his check.
Guerin was very much respected as a leader. He had a brash confidence that was infectious, giving his teams a certain swagger. That confidence never once was mistaken as anything less than a class act. Guerin was a very likeable player everywhere he went.
Guerin was a very consistent player. He had five 30-goal seasons and 13 20-goal seasons. He's the only player in NHL history to score 20 goals with seven teams. As his career continued he was highly sought after by teams looking for playoff leadership and experience.
Guerin played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League, with 8 teams - the Devils, Oilers, Bruins, Stars, Blues, Sharks, Islanders and Penguins. He scored 429 goals, 427 assists and accumulated 1,660 penalty minutes in 1,263 regular-season games. He also had 39 goals and 35 assists in 140 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Twice he hoisted the Stanley Cup - in 1995 with New Jersey and in 2009 with Pittsburgh. He also was part of the American team that captured the 1996 World Cup and the 2002 Olympic silver medal. He also participated in the 1998 and 2006 Olympics.
But Hall of Fame worthy? I don't think so.
The Hall of Fame should be reserved for the truly elite players. As consistent and as good as Geurin was over a very long career, I would suggest that there was only a 2 season window where he was in elite territory. Coming off of a 40 goal and career best 85 points in 2000-01, Guerin finished the 2001-02 season with 41 goals, the second highest total in the league (behind Jarome Iginla who had 52). He was honoured with the nod as the NHL Second Team All Star right wing.
Two elite seasons (and some might even question that regarding Guerin) should not be enough to get you in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Moreover, there are quite a few players with better career numbers already on a long waiting list to get into the Hall. Guerin does not have a resume to trump them. I always struggle with longevity's worth in these debates
A lot of people suggest he should be included in the Hall of Fame because he is one of the best American players of all time. I suspect we will see a few players from this exiting generation of players get inducted because that claim is part of their resume, although I can't see that being enough for Guerin's resume to bridge the gap. Besides, based on nationality is wrong. Are we going to induct Cristobal Huet because he's the best from France?
Yes Geurin was affable, a good leader and long time hockey warrior. He consistently scored and was always unwavering in his approach to the game. But Hockey Hall of Famer? He was very good, but not great.
December 05, 2010
Pete Langelle Passes Away
The Winnipeg Free Press had a very brief obituary notice for Pete Langelle. The former Toronto Maple Leaf died on November 29th. He was 93 years old.Pete Langelle's NHL career was cut short due to military service in World War II. He was stationed in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, a training station of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He appeared in 3 full NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs scoring 22 goals in 136 games. None of his goals were as big as his last.
Read the full Pete Langelle biography here.
December 04, 2010
Bobby Hull On Today's Salaries
Blair Russel
So why have you never heard of him? Probably because he retired several years before the formation of the National Hockey League.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965, Russel starred with the Montreal Victorias (in several different amateur leagues) from 1894 through to 1909. He actually retired rather than turn profession when the Vics were forced to turn pro in 1909.
In his notable career he scored 110 goals in 67 games. Once he scored 7 goals in one game. He also had memorable nights scoring 6 goals and 5 goals.
Despite his offensive prowess, he was often overshadowed by his teammate, Russell Bowie. Blair would actually be best known not for his offensive exploits but for being a very clean player who was as good defensively as offensively. A real speedster, he likely would have won a couple defensive forward awards had their been such an award back then.
Newspapermen of the day appreciated Russel as being one of the best players of the early 20th century, naming him to an unofficial all star team of the best hockey players in the land. Other players so honoured included Bowie, Harvey Pulford, Frank McGee, Alf Smith, and Billy Gilmour.
Where's The Beef?
How did he sum up the difference between life in the minor leagues - riding the iron lung and living off of the Super 8 continental breakfast - and the NHL, where accommodations and travel are all first class?
"You're probably a piece of meat everywhere you play, but at least in the NHL you're prime rib."
The stats tell the story as to Steve Richmond's contributions to any teams he played in, regardless of the butcher shop. In the NHL he played 159 games, with 4 goals scored, 23 points and 514 penalty minutes. He was a rugged, stay at home defender in the pros.
Which is interesting in that he was an offensive player at the University of Michigan. In fact he set the school career record for goals scored by a defenseman. Yet despite that impressive feat, he was never drafted by any NHL team.
The New York Rangers signed him to a pro contract in 1982. From there his vagabond career through the NHL and multiple minor leagues began.
Outside of the NHL his most interesting minor league times must have been while playing with the Tulsa Oilers in 1984. Due to financial difficulties, the team played from February on without a home. They literally played all of their games on the road. Despite this great hardship, they went on to win the Adams Cup as CHL champions.
By the way, Steve Richmond is now the director of amateur scouting for the Washington Capitals.
December 03, 2010
Gilmour Gave His All
Doug reminds me of Dave Keon. He is a tireless skater who gives it his all and never gets weary
- Scotty Bowman
Here's more on Doug Gilmour
December 02, 2010
The Big M
"There are other excellent skaters in the NHL... But no one else is so elegant, so electric, so furious, so fluid. Other skaters stride, he swoops. They glide, he soars. They sprint, he explodes. Head down, shoulder up, legs churning, one hand on his stick, Mahovlich looks like the Super Continental coming through Saskatchewan, and is almost as powerful and as hard to knock down."
- Peter Gzowski
Here's more on The Big M, Frank Mahovlich
Thomas Ties Record
With a 3-0 win over high flying Philadelphia, Tim Thomas has tied NHL record for consecutive road wins by goaltender to begin season, mark set by Chicago's Glenn Hall in 1965-66. Thomas is now a perfect 9-0-0 on the road this season.
December 01, 2010
Who's Better? Pavel Datsyuk vs. Sergei Fedorov
Both are classic Russian centermen - incredible puck handling and distribution skills combined with equally impressive defensive play.
In fact, the conversation on Twitter evolved into who is the greatest Russian centerman of all time? There's no shortage to choose from, with Igor Larionov, Boris Mikhailov leading the way. I dared to opine that whoever is declared the winner of the Datsyuk or Fedorov debate should also be named as the best Russian centerman of all time.
The general consensus on Twitter? Datsyuk, perhaps aided by the "living-in-the-now" effect, gets the edge due to more consistent play and leadership. But while Fedorov could be an enigma at times, his peak may have been higher. And that Fedorov was a better playoff performer.
Still, the jury is still very much out regarding this topic, as far as I'm concerned. So I open up the debate here. Using the comments section below, tell me who you think is the better player - Datsyuk or Fedorov? Also feel free to discuss the great Russian centers of all time.
$1.3 Billion?!
The price? $160,000. Smythe put $10,000 of his own money. He would soon rename the team the Maple Leafs, build Maple Leaf Gardens in the height of the Great Depression and build some of hockey's greatest championship teams. He became the franchise's majority owner after World War II.
Oh, and along the way he built one of Canada's greatest financial empires.
I could not help but wonder what Conn Smythe's reaction would be today if he knew someone was offering to purchase the empire he started for as much as $1.3 BILLION dollars!
It should be no surprise that Rogers, the communication giant that already owns the Toronto Blue Jays and all sports tv network SportsNet, would be interested in Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. By acquiring the Leafs, the NBA Raptors, MLS' Toronto FC, AHL team Toronto Marlies, the Air Canada Center and several television channels, Rogers would become an absolute content powerhouse in the new world of media and the internet, cell phones and iPods.
"Content is king" has always been my slogan here at GreatestHockeyLegends.com, and you bet every one of Rogers' $1.3 billion that they believe that too. That may sound like a ridiculous amount of money, but they are happy to invest it. The cost of letting rival BCE (Bell) purchase MLSE would be far greater.
Hockey Book Of The Year?
Today HockeyBookReviews.com names the top hockey book of 2010!
Let me assure you that narrowing down the list of books to five finalists was no easy task. The hockey book class of 2010 is a very good one, far superior than 2009. Hockey book enthusiasts should be very satisfied when they browse the hockey bookshelves at their favorite book store.
The five finalists for the 2010 HockeyBookReviews.com Hockey Book of the Year are:
Let me assure you that narrowing down the list of books to five finalists was no easy task. The hockey book class of 2010 is a very good one, far superior than 2009. Hockey book enthusiasts should be very satisfied when they browse the hockey bookshelves at their favorite book store.
The five finalists for the 2010 HockeyBookReviews.com Hockey Book of the Year are:
- The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys by James Duthie
- Eddie Shore And That Old Time Hockey by C. Michael Hiam
- Gold Medal Diary by Hayley Wickenheiser
- The Hockey Book by Sports Illustrated
- Tough Guy by Bob Probert with Kirstie McLellan Day
Meet Bill Brydge
Bill Brydge began his NHL career on the Toronto St.Patricks blueline (the St. Pats became the Maple Leafs in 1927-28) after a successful career with Port Arthur where helped the Bearcats win the Allan Cup in 1925 and 1926.
Brydge must have failed to impress Conn Smythe that season. Smythe traded Brydge to Detroit (then known as the Cougars) in 1927-28. He would report to the minor leagues for the next two years before joining the team regularly in 1928-29.
Again Brydge played the full season but was on the move in the summer time, this time to the New York Americans. It seems Brydge didn't do a whole lot to impress with the Cougars in his one season. In fact his most notable legacy there may have been his dental record. He lost a few teeth in a February game with Boston when Eddie Shore, who had been knocked goofy by Reg Noble earlier, checked Brydge into the boards hard. Shore received a major penalty for his actions.
Brydge joined the Amerks for the 1929-30 season, finding a permanent NHL home, playing there until 1936. He seemed to really cement his standing in 1930-31 after he was paired with newly acquired Red Dutton.
Brydge developed a reputation as a feared open ice hitter. The stocky defender was noted for his play at both ends of the ice. He and Dutton were counted on heavily in the defensive zone, but both contributed on the score sheet too. Three times he was in the top ten of defensemen scoring in his career.
Of course, hockey players' true stature is measured in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Playing for weak teams named St. Pats, Cougars and Americans did not give Brydge much of a chance to compete for the silver chalice. In 9 seasons (368 regular season games) Brydge's team only made the playoffs once (1929 with Detroit). After 2 games, he was out.
The Amerks granted Brydge his unconditional release in 1936. He was slowing down and the Amerks had acquired Joe Jerwa to take his place. Rather than bury him in the minor leagues like so many teams would do back in those days, the Americans showed Brydge respect for his contributions with the out right release. Brydge controlled his own future.
Brydge never did catch on with another pro team. Instead he moved to Kirkland Lake, Ontario where he coached the Lake Shore Blue Devils, winning the Allan Cup in 1940. He also held a job with the Donald Ropes and Wire Cloth Company until 1947 when he became ill.
Born in 1901, Bill Brydge died November 2nd, 1949.
Brydge must have failed to impress Conn Smythe that season. Smythe traded Brydge to Detroit (then known as the Cougars) in 1927-28. He would report to the minor leagues for the next two years before joining the team regularly in 1928-29.
Brydge joined the Amerks for the 1929-30 season, finding a permanent NHL home, playing there until 1936. He seemed to really cement his standing in 1930-31 after he was paired with newly acquired Red Dutton.
Brydge developed a reputation as a feared open ice hitter. The stocky defender was noted for his play at both ends of the ice. He and Dutton were counted on heavily in the defensive zone, but both contributed on the score sheet too. Three times he was in the top ten of defensemen scoring in his career.
Of course, hockey players' true stature is measured in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Playing for weak teams named St. Pats, Cougars and Americans did not give Brydge much of a chance to compete for the silver chalice. In 9 seasons (368 regular season games) Brydge's team only made the playoffs once (1929 with Detroit). After 2 games, he was out.
The Amerks granted Brydge his unconditional release in 1936. He was slowing down and the Amerks had acquired Joe Jerwa to take his place. Rather than bury him in the minor leagues like so many teams would do back in those days, the Americans showed Brydge respect for his contributions with the out right release. Brydge controlled his own future.
Brydge never did catch on with another pro team. Instead he moved to Kirkland Lake, Ontario where he coached the Lake Shore Blue Devils, winning the Allan Cup in 1940. He also held a job with the Donald Ropes and Wire Cloth Company until 1947 when he became ill.
Born in 1901, Bill Brydge died November 2nd, 1949.
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