In Memoriam Former pro hockey players/management/others deaths

[Robert Gordon Orr]

R.I.P. Jim Johannson [1964-2018]
Ok, not quite an NHL'er, but he did attend a few training camps with Chicago
and was drafted by Hartford Whalers in 1982.
He also represented USA in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, plus one World Championship tournament (1992).
Johannson was the GM for the current American Olympic team.

 

[Terry Yake]

Wasnt he the oldest living ex-nhl player?

yes he was

anyone know who the oldest is now?

 

[ES]

yes he was

anyone know who the oldest is now?

Jim Conacher (May 5, 1921), 328 games between 1945-53.

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

To clarify the title, Jim Conacher is very much alive.

 

[SabbathBloodySabbath]

Greg Smyth dies at 51.
VOCM - ‘Bird Dog’, Former St. John’s Maple Leaf, Passes Away
Greg Smyth Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[Jumptheshark]

Greg Smyth dies at 51.
VOCM - ‘Bird Dog’, Former St. John’s Maple Leaf, Passes Away
Greg Smyth Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

Another player I grew up watching

 

[ICM1970]

I read an interview with Greg in which he said that he got that bit of notoriety during his years in the NHL for being the one player who made use of the NHL's optional helmets policy in 1992-93 during a regular game situation (many players signed waivers but only for warm ups or practices or if their lids got knocked off in the midst of the action). He said he only wanted to try it on a temporary basis for that few games that he did as he had ones like Nick Fotiu and Brad Marsh as teammates a few years earlier. He went on to say that what really did cement his decision to cover up again was that if you get into a fight with someone who likely has kept his helmet on, that puts you at that kind of a disadvantage and he learned that particularly in a tangle with Vancouver's Gino Odjick. But that he did like that sense of freedom and comfort that not wearing one brought (reminded me of my experience going topless as a Friday afternoon mucker during my 20s and early 30s).

 

[Killion]

I read an interview with Greg in which he said that he got that bit of notoriety during his years in the NHL for being the one player who made use of the NHL's optional helmets policy in 1992-93 during a regular game situation (many players signed waivers but only for warm ups or practices or if their lids got knocked off in the midst of the action). He said he only wanted to try it on a temporary basis for that few games that he did as he had ones like Nick Fotiu and Brad Marsh as teammates a few years earlier. He went on to say that what really did cement his decision to cover up again was that if you get into a fight with someone who likely has kept his helmet on, that puts you at that kind of a disadvantage and he learned that particularly in a tangle with Vancouver's Gino Odjick. But that he did like that sense of freedom and comfort that not wearing one brought (reminded me of my experience going topless as a Friday afternoon mucker during my 20s and early 30s).

Ya it really does make a difference, not wearing one. A lot more "aware". Sense of freedom.... something you also hear from motorcyclists averse to helmet laws.... When I played helmet laws were just becoming mandatory and unfortunately you could see the change in attitude with some, sticks & elbows up, a lot more "hitting" as opposed to just "checking" be it with the body or stick, sweep & poke checks etc to re-gain puck possession & so on. Overt upper body physicality, reckless look Ma no brakes, thoughtless violence. Goalie Masks as well mandatory which coincided with the rise of the Slapshot, a lot of totally wild uncontrolled head high shots, some though were quite deliberate....

Bobby Hull notoriously stating that he'd "let one go at the goalies head early in the game to shake him up a bit"..... Helmets have seemingly been mandated for just about every activity that back in the day, just seemed ridiculous.... cycling, skiing & snowboarding in some areas.... no thanks. Never used one playing shinny, skiing.... Did have to wear one when I played forward one year in a Beer League. Hated it. And that combined with the tuuk plastic chassis on my skates, like gliding around on styrofoam egg cartons, thats it Man, I'm done. Is this what my games become? Completely plastic from head to toe? I want my tube skates, wooden stick and eff the helmet thankyouverymuch.

 

[Robert Gordon Orr]

Ralph Keller [1936-2018] R.I.P.

He only played in three NHL games for the NY Rangers in 1962/63, scoring a goal in his first game, 6:56 into the 1st period, assisted by Camille Henry and Andy Hebenton.

He played many years in Hershey, winning the Calder Cup with them.

Keller battled alcohol addiction later in life and there's an interesting article on him from 2011.
Battle with alcohol keeps former hockey player on sidelines

 

[Killion]

^^^ What a sad story. At 75 to have been caught up in a web like that, drinking & driving, should know better, guy gets busted, instant karma... doesnt learn.... 4x's?.... at that age?.... Winds up doing time, monitored.... What can you say really beyond Rest in Peace, and if a Bears, AHL fan, thanks for the memories.

 

[SabbathBloodySabbath]

Ken Houston dies of cancer at 64.

'He was my hero'
Ken Houston Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[c9777666]

Greg Polis, former 3x All Star left wing for the Penguins, died on Saturday at 67

PG loses hockey legend and well-respected athlete

He was the All Star Game MVP in 1973, a game that featured 13 future HHOF’ers

 

[Demon Eyes]

Larry Kwong 94
played 1 shift
Larry Kwong - Wikipedia

He is known as the first person of Asian ancestry to play in the National Hockey League (NHL), and the first player to break hockey's color barrier.[1] Of Cantonese extraction,[2] he was also the first NHL player from Vernon, British Columbia, and the Okanagan region. Kwong's nicknames included the "China Clipper" (a name later used for CFL player Normie Kwong) and "King Kwong".[3]

 

[SealsFan]

Greg Polis... I always thought of him as a Penguin but he spent more years with the Rangers. RIP to another name from my youth...

 

[Nunymare]

Dick Gamble, 89 -- March 22

 

[Robert Gordon Orr]

R.I.P.
Kevin Wortman [1969-2018]

He played 5 NHL games for Calgary in 1993/94

 

[pappyline]

Dick Gamble's obit

Richard "Dick" Gamble's Obituary on Rochester Democrat And Chronicle

I remember him. He had a few stints in the NHL and was an AHL star with Buffalo and Rochester for many years. One of those players who was on the edge in that tough to make 6 team NHL

 

[Robert Gordon Orr]

R.I.P. Earl Balfour [1933-2018]
He was part of the Stanley Cup winning team in Chicago 1961

 

[Jyssy]

R.I.P.
Kevin Wortman [1969-2018]

He played 5 NHL games for Calgary in 1993/94

What happened? So sad. He was my favorite player when he played here in Jyväskylä.

 

[pappyline]

R.I.P. Earl Balfour [1933-2018]
He was part of the Stanley Cup winning team in Chicago 1961

Probably nobody out there remembers him but I do. He carved out a career for himself as a defensive forward. In the 50's he was a PK specialist playing with Glen Skov. In the 59-60 playoffs he played on a checking line with Skov & Ed Litzenberger holding the Beliveau line to one goal.

EARL FREDERICK BALFOUR's Obituary on Toronto Star

RIP Earl Balfour.

 

[Killion]

Probably nobody out there remembers him but I do. He carved out a career for himself as a defensive forward. In the 50's he was a PK specialist playing with Glen Skov. In the 59-60 playoffs he played on a checking line with Skov & Ed Litzenberger holding the Beliveau line to one goal.

EARL FREDERICK BALFOUR's Obituary on Toronto Star

RIP Earl Balfour.

I only have vague recollections of watching him play, young at the time, but sure, remember him as I'd thought he was related to Murray Balfour... 2 Balfours, same team, not the most common of names & actually rather "upper crust" which I found amusing... as in referring to him as "The Earl of Balfour", Murray "The Duke of Balfour". Kids huh? Ya I was nuts even then.... at anyrate, nope, they werent brothers but I guess distant relations going back generations, the old country..... Then I recall how in 61 after winning the Cup, he gets claimed by the lowly Bruins in the intra-league Draft, so goes from basically Hero to Zero leaving Champagne still swirling in Lord Stanleys Cup.

And things got ugly in Boston real fast, Earl having a major run-in & falling out with Bruins Coach Phil Watson (no idea what went down there), sent down to the AHL, buried, playing 2 seasons for the Hornets & then retiring, sitting out a year as was required in order to re-gain his amateur status, then playing several more years, also as a playing-coach. It was this precedent that helped Carl Brewer re-gain his amateur status after he'd quit the Leafs & the game, allowing him to join Father David Bauers National Team program... and it was the other Balfour, Murray, who in beating Brewer to a pulp one night contributed to Brewers departure from the NHL (amongst other issues).

As a result, both Balfours players I remember, nothing spectacular about either, but just good, solid, tough team guys, better than average foot soldiers, specialists. ... Interesting to read in Earls obituary that despite the Cup win in Chicago, he was a lifelong Leaf fan & lived the dream of playing for the Marlboro's & Leafs as many did back in the day... also interesting to learn how he was a big fan of Jeopardy, Sinatra, Conspiracy Theories & talking hockey history, telling stories. My kinda guy.... RIP.

 

[pappyline]

I only have vague recollections of watching him play, young at the time, but sure, remember him as I'd thought he was related to Murray Balfour... 2 Balfours, same team, not the most common of names & actually rather "upper crust" which I found amusing... as in referring to him as "The Earl of Balfour", Murray "The Duke of Balfour". Kids huh? Ya I was nuts even then.... at anyrate, nope, they werent brothers but I guess distant relations going back generations, the old country..... Then I recall how in 61 after winning the Cup, he gets claimed by the lowly Bruins in the intra-league Draft, so goes from basically Hero to Zero leaving Champagne still swirling in Lord Stanleys Cup.

And things got ugly in Boston real fast, Earl having a major run-in & falling out with Bruins Coach Phil Watson (no idea what went down there), sent down to the AHL, buried, playing 2 seasons for the Hornets & then retiring, sitting out a year as was required in order to re-gain his amateur status, then playing several more years, also as a playing-coach. It was this precedent that helped Carl Brewer re-gain his amateur status after he'd quit the Leafs & the game, allowing him to join Father David Bauers National Team program... and it was the other Balfour, Murray, who in beating Brewer to a pulp one night contributed to Brewers departure from the NHL (amongst other issues).

As a result, both Balfours players I remember, nothing spectacular about either, but just good, solid, tough team guys, better than average foot soldiers, specialists. ... Interesting to read in Earls obituary that despite the Cup win in Chicago, he was a lifelong Leaf fan & lived the dream of playing for the Marlboro's & Leafs as many did back in the day... also interesting to learn how he was a big fan of Jeopardy, Sinatra, Conspiracy Theories & talking hockey history, telling stories. My kinda guy.... RIP.

Thanks for the info on his post NHL career. I wasn't aware of what happened to Earl after the 61 cup win. I just assumed he went to the minors. I don't think he played much of a role in the 61 cup win though he was dressed for all 12 games. Murray Balfour played a big role in the semi final win over Montreal. He scored both Chicago goals in a 2-1 2nd overtime win. I think that was the game in which Toe Blake received a huge fine for going on the ice and taking a swing at the referee.

 

[Killion]

Thanks for the info on his post NHL career. I wasn't aware of what happened to Earl after the 61 cup win. I just assumed he went to the minors. I don't think he played much of a role in the 61 cup win though he was dressed for all 12 games. Murray Balfour played a big role in the semi final win over Montreal. He scored both Chicago goals in a 2-1 2nd overtime win. I think that was the game in which Toe Blake received a huge fine for going on the ice and taking a swing at the referee.

... your memory I think correct with that Blake episode.... As for Earl Balfour & Phil Watson of Boston, no idea what that was all about, what precipitated it, why he was sent to the minors which essentially ended his NHL & ultimately pro career.... After taking that year off, he went on to play for the Galt Hornets of the OHA Sr.A, the Toronto Marlboro's & in his final year, 68/69 with the Orillia Terriers... and as a bit of trivia.... played with Jim Davidson, son of long time Leafs Scout & former Leaf player Bob Davidson, Jim playing Minor Pro & Sr & older brother of John who several years later also played for the Terriers & minor pro, both of whom grew up in my area of Toronto & who I played shinny with & against for many a year when we were kids. Both of them excellent players. Big, strong, excellent skaters, fast. I was very surprised neither one following in their fathers footsteps to the NHL though both academically inclined so.... Senior hockey back then was an attractive alternative for many, and clearly for Earl Balfour one that delivered stability, personal happiness & satisfaction which as a fringe NHL'r you'd never have.

 

[Fenway]

Bill Torrey, GM of Isles' four Stanley Cups, dies at 83 - Sportsnet.ca

The NHL announced Torrey’s passing in a statement from commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday afternoon.

“Bill was the first employee, general manager and architect of one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history — the New York Islanders, winners of four straight Stanley Cups,” Bettman said. “He was the first president of the Florida Panthers and built the organization into one of the most successful expansion franchises in league history — the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final in just their third season of existence. And his imprint is on virtually every team in our League, as he personally mentored and inspired generations of NHL general managers who have followed him and established the team-building blueprint based upon scouting, drafting and player development that today remains the model for lasting success.”

Bettman added that Torrey “was a close and cherished friend and a great source of counsel. I will miss his wit, wisdom and warmth.”

 

[Teemu]

Clare Drake, legendary and beloved U of A hockey coach, dies at age 89 | CBC News

HHOF coach Clare Drake, 89