RIP Jim "Seaweed" Pettie

[Fenway]

Jim Pettie, a goaltender who played three of his eight professional seasons with the Amerks, died Saturday morning in Rochester after a battle with cancer. He was 65.

Pettie was the Boston Bruins back up netminder in 1978-79, playing in 21 career NHL games. He was a tough bugger, too, picking up 13 PIMs in the NHL. In one minor league season he actually earned an amazing 145 PIMs.

He is most famous for being prolific writer George Plimpton's roommate when Plimpton participated in the Bruins training camp (even playing 5 minutes against the Flyers) while writing the book Open Net. As a result, he was prominently featured in the classic book.​

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[Fenian24]

I remember Seaweed, always liked him. R.I.P.

 

[aguineapig]

He was a Bruin for but a short time, but was legend in the history of puck lore. One night he and Daryl Edestrand were rooming together on the road. The cops were called about a loud party in one of the rooms and the manager mistakenly let the cops in their room. Seaweed was aptly just getting out of the tub after a hot bath and as they tried to grab him he was like a greased pig and slipped by them and took off down the hall. He was finally apprehended and paraded through the lobby sans pads or pajamas and thus the legend of BareAss Pettie was born.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Saw him play a number of time in New Haven for and against the Nighthawks.

Also got to see him play for Boston in Philly where he was a main player in a benching clearing brawl against the Flyers.

 

[BMC]

May he rest in peace.

Where did he get the nickname "Seaweed"? Or it that not safe for HF?

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

Got to a stage most dream of.

Rest in piece sir

 

[Fenian24]

May he rest in peace.

Where did he get the nickname "Seaweed"? Or it that not safe for HF?

His hair, cant remember who but someone called it "Seaweed" and it stuck as his nickname

 

[GoBs]

God bless and Rest In Peace

 

[Ladyfan]

R.I.P Jim.

 

[Gordoff]

IIRC, Someone said that the mopish, sweaty hair sticking out of the sides of his mask looked like seaweed. Hockey players have the most imaginative nicknames of any athletes in any sports. Rest In Peace Jim "Seaweed Pettie."

First Bruin goalie to play against and beat Bobby Orr and the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Strangest One Of All: Absurd Goalie Monday: Jim Pettie

 

[Lady Rhian]

Rest in peace, Jim. Talk about a blast from the past! Brings back fun memories from those days. He was quite a character in his short stint.

 

[Serge]

Plimpton had great stories about Seaweed, as someone mentioned above. He was the perfect backup for those teams: feisty, dependable, and colorful. RIP Jim.

 

[Buffaloed]

I came across this fine article this morning:
Former Amerks and Bruins goalie Jim Pettie loved team, loved life - Pickin' Splinters