TopShelfGloveSide
Registered User
- Dec 10, 2018
- 17,836
- 32,452
RIP Bruce McCurdy
- Thread starter Jimmi McJenkins
- Start date
The Trash Man
I throw trash
- May 9, 2010
- 1,168
- 2,634
I loved his astronomy segments on LT. Every time I bring out the telescope I will always say thank you Bruce for reigniting my love of the night sky. You were truly an inspiration.
Condolences to his friends and family. Rest in peace Mr.McCurdy
Condolences to his friends and family. Rest in peace Mr.McCurdy
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McDrai
Registered User
- Mar 29, 2009
- 23,910
- 20,778
Sorry to hear that. I just watched one of his podcasts with Staples. Life is too short. Condolences to the whole McCurdy family
Bruce had some great insights and some pretty good rants. The Edmonton Journal just put up a short clip of one of his rants. This was a few weeks ago after our loss in Buffalo. Love the way he is so passionate about the Oilers and the ornery side to him at times. And usually he's on point. We still have something like 5-6 regulation wins for a long long span now. A nice little tribute.
BudBundy
Registered User
- May 16, 2005
- 5,770
- 8,400
The family suffered a tragic and sudden loss, and my my sincere condolences go out to them.
I download every episode of the cult of hockey podcast and listen to it almost every day on my way to work. It’s going to leave a dark hole in my day not being able to enjoy his insights. He had such a unique delivery. Passionate, but in a decidedly soft tone and a measured pace. He was the consummate grey bearded sage who spoke quietly, but smart people listened to because it was spot on.
I’ve always been a fan of his work in the Journal (Game Grades) and articles, and enjoyed his stints on Lowetide. Seems like he’s been a fixture forever. His astronomy bit was so endearing. Literally just a little bit out there, and I loved that he shared that interest with us. I would chuckle to myself when I’d hear his cat with the bell on its collar try to interrupt his broadcast and Bruce would have to chase it off. What a guy. And what a gentleman.
I’ll miss you Bruce. Tell Robin Brownlee we miss him too. Godspeed, and I hope your view of the stars you love so much is spectacular.
I download every episode of the cult of hockey podcast and listen to it almost every day on my way to work. It’s going to leave a dark hole in my day not being able to enjoy his insights. He had such a unique delivery. Passionate, but in a decidedly soft tone and a measured pace. He was the consummate grey bearded sage who spoke quietly, but smart people listened to because it was spot on.
I’ve always been a fan of his work in the Journal (Game Grades) and articles, and enjoyed his stints on Lowetide. Seems like he’s been a fixture forever. His astronomy bit was so endearing. Literally just a little bit out there, and I loved that he shared that interest with us. I would chuckle to myself when I’d hear his cat with the bell on its collar try to interrupt his broadcast and Bruce would have to chase it off. What a guy. And what a gentleman.
I’ll miss you Bruce. Tell Robin Brownlee we miss him too. Godspeed, and I hope your view of the stars you love so much is spectacular.
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TheGingaNinja
Registered User
- Sep 26, 2019
- 13
- 777
Just a tragic loss. The oilers fandom just shone a little less bright.
RIP Bruce and the most sincere condolences to his family.
RIP Bruce and the most sincere condolences to his family.
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Very sad news. Many good things about him have been mentioned.
I also enjoyed that he never acted like he was too big for any oil podcast. I saw him joining some very small streams for an episode and it was just good oil talk.
He didn't act like the big journalist that was above all the rest, but as one that recognized the passion of oil fans, and that he would talk to them anywhere
I also enjoyed that he never acted like he was too big for any oil podcast. I saw him joining some very small streams for an episode and it was just good oil talk.
He didn't act like the big journalist that was above all the rest, but as one that recognized the passion of oil fans, and that he would talk to them anywhere
bellagiobob
Registered User
- Jul 27, 2006
- 21,838
- 64,735
Poignant words of wisdom. Enjoy the journey.
midnightcopper
Registered User
- Apr 28, 2021
- 132
- 449
Really shocked to hear the news... I was a regular listener to the Cult podcast, and it is just a very, very sad day. He was an encyclopedia of hockey knowledge. RIP Bruuuuuce McCurdy.
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The Panther
Registered User
Oh man, I was shocked to hear this today! I loved McCurdy. His commentary on The Cult of Hockey was always spot-on, and, as others have said, he was not at all divisive, being the rare journo-type who could see all sides of it and not get lost in the weeds. He always put objectivity and the humanitarian-side above his own opinions (unlike most). Just came across as a very nice, humble person.
There are 2 specific things I really admired about him:
1) His writing and statistical knowledge. As those Cult of Hockey guys go, Dave Staples' articles are really poorly written (sorry to say) and his game-grades are often kind of wonky. Kurt Leavins is better, but nothing to write home about. But Bruce's game-grades were allways --- like 100% of the time, basically --- spot-on in my view, so obviously I saw the game much as he did. He did amazing statistical breakdowns of the Oilers that were often very revealing.
2) His encyclopedic knowledge of Oilers' history, and just his memory.I doubt there was a single human alive (besides maybe Sather?) who remembers as much detail about the Oilers from the late-70s to early-90s (and beyond) as McCurdy did.
If you want to learn what those days and that team were like, it's great to hear this interview with McCurdy about the Oilers' glory-days with Gretzky:
There are 2 specific things I really admired about him:
1) His writing and statistical knowledge. As those Cult of Hockey guys go, Dave Staples' articles are really poorly written (sorry to say) and his game-grades are often kind of wonky. Kurt Leavins is better, but nothing to write home about. But Bruce's game-grades were allways --- like 100% of the time, basically --- spot-on in my view, so obviously I saw the game much as he did. He did amazing statistical breakdowns of the Oilers that were often very revealing.
2) His encyclopedic knowledge of Oilers' history, and just his memory.I doubt there was a single human alive (besides maybe Sather?) who remembers as much detail about the Oilers from the late-70s to early-90s (and beyond) as McCurdy did.
If you want to learn what those days and that team were like, it's great to hear this interview with McCurdy about the Oilers' glory-days with Gretzky:
bobbythebrain
Registered User
- Jul 30, 2016
- 13,494
- 14,831
Fishy McScales
Registered User
RIP Bruce, seemed like one of the good ones and I always liked his takes.
timekeep
Registered User
- Apr 28, 2010
- 4,347
- 987
Sad news, RIP Bruce. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Slats432
Registered User
Sad. Intelligent, articulate and genuine. RIP.
Cult of hockey post-game was always my go-to show. This news has actually impacted me very deeply. I never knew him personally, but I still feel like I knew him. He was a great man, great fan, and nobody contributed more to the Oilosphere.
We lost an absolute pillar of our community, and I'm absolutely devastated.
We lost an absolute pillar of our community, and I'm absolutely devastated.
Man, what a loss. Just so knowledgeable and really had such a genuine passion for everything Oilers related.
RIP, good sir.
RIP, good sir.
Yep. Irreplaceable in that regard. I don't have the amount of dislike for Staples as a lot do, but I genuinely valued Bruce's opinion exponentially more. To be honest, it will be hard to listen to the show with him not there.
You listen to him enough over the years (I can't remember the last time I missed and episode) and like you mentioned, you do get the feeling like you knew him.
Brutal loss. Can't imagine what the family is going through.
midnightcopper
Registered User
- Apr 28, 2021
- 132
- 449
I just lost a friend about a month ago that I did many road trips with in the same, unexpected way. Even though didn't know him, it seems you lose a bit of yourself when someone who is a part of your life each day or week is gone.
unicornBLOOD
Registered User
- Mar 18, 2022
- 363
- 1,056
Thanks to Bruce for the many years of knowledge, insight, and entertainment. You were a never ending source of Oilers history. You will be missed by many Oiler fans, the Oiler community/family lost a good one. Thoughts and prayers to your family and friends.
brentashton
HFBoards Nightmare
- Jan 21, 2018
- 12,836
- 25,183
WRITER AND PODCASTER'S LOVE FOR OILERS `NEVER IN DOUBT’
DAVID STAPLES [email protected]
Edmonton Journal
Apr 04, 2025
Bruce McCurdy remembered for obsession with analysis, hatred of `the Bettman point'
Cult of Hockey writer and podcaster Bruce McCurdy always loved to explore how luck played out in Edmonton Oilers games, his half-joking suggestion being that the fate of each contest was in the hands of “the Hockey Gords,” a reference to the late great Gordie Howe in hockey heaven.
Puck luck and bounces do indeed weigh heavily on the outcome of every NHL game. I'm not one to question or risk offending the Hockey Gords. And now that Bruce himself is among them, I expect the Oilers to get some excellent bounces in the coming 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.
No one was a bigger fan of the Oilers than McCurdy, who started writing at the Edmonton Journal's Cult of Hockey in 2010, but was a diehard for the team since the Oilers inception in
1972. No one had a more encyclopedic memory of Oilers' history.
McCurdy's family, wife Anna and son Kevin, will prepare a formal obituary for him, detailing the life of the man born Oct. 13, 1955, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, his family's migration to Alberta in the
1960s, his work as a CIBC banker for two decades, and his time as president of the Edmonton branch of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Today I'll write of the Bruce McCurdy I knew, a man beloved in the hockey world if we're to go by the tsunami of tributes flooding social media in the aftermath of his painfully sudden medical emergency and death following Edmonton's win over Vegas on Tuesday.
When it came to the Oilers, McCurdy was what is known as a completionist, defined by Google AI as “someone who strives to complete everything related to a particular subject or interest, whether it's a game, a collection, or an experience, ensuring nothing is left undone.”
Together, he, Kurt Leavins and I, plus a number of other obsessives, have graded every player in every Oilers hockey game for 17 years. Together, McCurdy and I have done video reviews and grading of every single player on every single Grade A shot for 15 years. This addiction to thorough analysis marked McCurdy and was recognized by the Oilers, who asked McCurdy to join their initial advisory panel on hockey analytics in 2011.
McCurdy was the master of game grades, putting in more time and effort than anyone to get it right, labouring deep into restless nights. But at the same time, his writing and interactions were defined by humility, by the knowledge that no one thing is undeniably true. This kept him — with a few notable exceptions — from being overly negative about any single Oilers player, coach or manager.
He once told sports writer Alan Draper, “If you find your heart and your head on the same page, write on that page. When they are not in full agreement, take the time to explore both sides of the issue and try to present a balanced view, lay out the facts but still leave room for a personal opinion at the end. When that opinion gets challenged, be willing to have a frank exchange of views; as long as the conversation — from both sides — is civil and speaks to the issue at hand, that's great. As my dad used to say, `Credit others with having equal intelligence, at least until they prove otherwise!'”
At the same time, McCurdy also held a number of fierce grudges against GMs, coaches, players and/or referees whom he believed had grievously erred. For example, he repeatedly ripped NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for what McCurdy derisively called “the Bettman point,” the awarding of a point in league standings to the losing team in an overtime or shootout loss.
On the X-Twitter platform, just after the Oilers beat Vegas in a defensive struggle, Bruce tweeted out his final post, repeating what had become his go-to phrase after another close Oilers contest: “Never in doubt.”
That phrase was pure Bruce McCurdy, both celebrating the win but also gently mocking how the seemingly talented Oilers, a team in 36 games decided by one goal this year, had once again nearly found a way to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.
The slogan of our Cult of Hockey blog is, “By the faithful and for the faithful.” It's hard to imagine Oilers games going on without McCurdy, its most faithful fan and conscientious commentator. But the Oilers will, of course. The Oilers might even win the Stanley Cup this year without McCurdy here to relish it.
But, for me and all who loved and admired McCurdy, he will be here.
He's part of us now, a herald of the Hockey Gords.
DAVID STAPLES [email protected]
Edmonton Journal
Apr 04, 2025
Bruce McCurdy remembered for obsession with analysis, hatred of `the Bettman point'
Cult of Hockey writer and podcaster Bruce McCurdy always loved to explore how luck played out in Edmonton Oilers games, his half-joking suggestion being that the fate of each contest was in the hands of “the Hockey Gords,” a reference to the late great Gordie Howe in hockey heaven.
Puck luck and bounces do indeed weigh heavily on the outcome of every NHL game. I'm not one to question or risk offending the Hockey Gords. And now that Bruce himself is among them, I expect the Oilers to get some excellent bounces in the coming 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.
No one was a bigger fan of the Oilers than McCurdy, who started writing at the Edmonton Journal's Cult of Hockey in 2010, but was a diehard for the team since the Oilers inception in
1972. No one had a more encyclopedic memory of Oilers' history.
McCurdy's family, wife Anna and son Kevin, will prepare a formal obituary for him, detailing the life of the man born Oct. 13, 1955, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, his family's migration to Alberta in the
1960s, his work as a CIBC banker for two decades, and his time as president of the Edmonton branch of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Today I'll write of the Bruce McCurdy I knew, a man beloved in the hockey world if we're to go by the tsunami of tributes flooding social media in the aftermath of his painfully sudden medical emergency and death following Edmonton's win over Vegas on Tuesday.
When it came to the Oilers, McCurdy was what is known as a completionist, defined by Google AI as “someone who strives to complete everything related to a particular subject or interest, whether it's a game, a collection, or an experience, ensuring nothing is left undone.”
Together, he, Kurt Leavins and I, plus a number of other obsessives, have graded every player in every Oilers hockey game for 17 years. Together, McCurdy and I have done video reviews and grading of every single player on every single Grade A shot for 15 years. This addiction to thorough analysis marked McCurdy and was recognized by the Oilers, who asked McCurdy to join their initial advisory panel on hockey analytics in 2011.
McCurdy was the master of game grades, putting in more time and effort than anyone to get it right, labouring deep into restless nights. But at the same time, his writing and interactions were defined by humility, by the knowledge that no one thing is undeniably true. This kept him — with a few notable exceptions — from being overly negative about any single Oilers player, coach or manager.
He once told sports writer Alan Draper, “If you find your heart and your head on the same page, write on that page. When they are not in full agreement, take the time to explore both sides of the issue and try to present a balanced view, lay out the facts but still leave room for a personal opinion at the end. When that opinion gets challenged, be willing to have a frank exchange of views; as long as the conversation — from both sides — is civil and speaks to the issue at hand, that's great. As my dad used to say, `Credit others with having equal intelligence, at least until they prove otherwise!'”
At the same time, McCurdy also held a number of fierce grudges against GMs, coaches, players and/or referees whom he believed had grievously erred. For example, he repeatedly ripped NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for what McCurdy derisively called “the Bettman point,” the awarding of a point in league standings to the losing team in an overtime or shootout loss.
On the X-Twitter platform, just after the Oilers beat Vegas in a defensive struggle, Bruce tweeted out his final post, repeating what had become his go-to phrase after another close Oilers contest: “Never in doubt.”
That phrase was pure Bruce McCurdy, both celebrating the win but also gently mocking how the seemingly talented Oilers, a team in 36 games decided by one goal this year, had once again nearly found a way to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.
The slogan of our Cult of Hockey blog is, “By the faithful and for the faithful.” It's hard to imagine Oilers games going on without McCurdy, its most faithful fan and conscientious commentator. But the Oilers will, of course. The Oilers might even win the Stanley Cup this year without McCurdy here to relish it.
But, for me and all who loved and admired McCurdy, he will be here.
He's part of us now, a herald of the Hockey Gords.
