Monday, October 29, 2018

THE BLUE LINE DINER

The career or business paths travelled by hockey players after they hang-up their skates is always interesting. A number remain in the game in some capacity. This includes coaching, scouting, player representation or management. Others join the media or open their own business.

Like many former players, Marcel Dionne's life after hockey took him to the restaurant business. His Blue Line Diner in Niagara Falls, Ontario is a popular destination for hockey fans on both sides of the boarder and anyone who enjoys good food. Another attraction for visiting Dionne's establishment is the memorabilia that hangs from the walls. Beyond the dining experience, one can explore the pictures that document Dionne's career on the ice along various jerseys and hockey related objects. Included on the premises are a gift shop and an area for private meetings or gatherings.

Marcel Dionne graduated from junior hockey in 1971 and joined the Detroit Red Wings for the 1971-72 season. This was the start to a brilliant career in the National Hockey League that also saw Dionne play for the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. When all was said and done, he amassed 731 regular goals in 1,348 games. His NHL silverware includes the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award (since renamed The Ted Lindsay Award), Art Ross Trophy and Lester Patrick Trophy. Dionne became an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.

Last month, I made a return visit to the Blue Line Diner to participate in an afternoon of hockey talk and a hardy lunch. Here are some photos from that day.



Former Hockey Night in Canada executive producer Ralph Mellanby holding his copy of my book on Bob Goldham. 
    
With Marcel Dionne.
Left to Right: Don Luce, Steve Ludzik, Marv Edwards and Marcel Dionne.
It was a pleasure to meet Buffalo writer Randy Schultz. I first became aware of Randy's work when he covered the Buffalo Sabres for The Hockey News.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

TORONTO SUN ARTICLE ON GOLDHAM BOOK

Thanks to Mike Filey for the coverage of "Bob Goldham Outside the Goal Crease" in his weekly Toronto Sun column called "The Way We Were."



Thursday, October 11, 2018

NUMBER 4, RED KELLY

In the category of "it's about time," the Detroit Red Wings announced today that Red Kelly's number 4 jersey will be retired by the organization. The ceremony will take place on February 1, 2019, when the Toronto Maple Leafs make a visit to the Motor City.


"Red is one of the greatest Red Wings in the history of the franchise, and we think it's long overdue for the organization to celebrate his numerous accomplishments," stated Christopher Ilitch on behalf of the Ilitch family. His comments appeared in an article on the Wings website. "Red was a prolific player for two decades and was a leader for the Red Wings during one of the most dominant decades in franchise history, which brought four Stanley Cup championships to Detroit."

Upon hearing the news, Red Kelly heaped praise on his former club. "I proudly wear the ring which commemorates the four Stanley Cups the team won when I played for Detroit." He went on to state, "I treasure the memories I made during my time with the team, playing alongside some of the greatest players and people in the league's history. I am truly grateful that my number will be raised next to those of several of my former teammates."

After winning the Memorial Cup with St. Mike's in 1947, Kelly joined the Detroit Red Wings the following season. As a Red Wing, Kelly captured four Stanley Cups and was named to the First All-Star Team on six occasions. Twice, Kelly was a member of the Second All-Star Team. He was a three-time winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1954 as the NHL's best defenceman. Red Kelly was elected as an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1969.

Saturday, October 6, 2018

THE SIHR BULLETIN

It's always nice to see your work mentioned in a publication. And that was the case yesterday when I viewed the Society for International Hockey Research Bulletin online. My thanks goes out to Editor-in-chief Benoit Clairoux and Copy editor Lloyd Davis for their fine work on this newsletter.

Click above to enlarge

The mandate of the Society is as follows: "To promote, develop and encourage the study of the game of ice hockey as a significant athletic and social institution. To establish an accurate historical account of hockey through the years. To assist in the dissemination of the findings and studies derived from research. To acknowledge and assist in safeguarding the intellectual priority of members."

Thursday, October 4, 2018

"HAPPY MOTORING"

Every great commercial has a catch phrase specifically written to remain in the thought process of consumers. During the early years of Hockey Night in Canada, the all important catch phrase for Imperial Oil-Esso (the sponsor) ads was "Happy Motoring." And the actor given the role of playing an Esso serviceman and delivering the parting line of "Happy Motoring" was Murray Westgate.

A resident of the Sunnybrook Veterans Wing in Toronto, Westgate passed away on August 27 at the age of 100.


It was at Sunnybrook that I first met Westgate. It became an annual tradition for the Original Six Alumni to visit the Veterans and I was grateful to organizer Al Shaw for extending an invitation to attend the gathering. On my first trip, it became obvious how popular Westgate was with his fellow Veterans. In fact, the festivities wouldn't get underway until Westgate finished his lunch and made his way down to the hall.

At the website Independent Movie Data Base, Westgate is listed as appearing in 72 productions beginning with HNiC in 1952 and ending as George Kellum in the 1991 film Scanners 2: The New Order. He performed in several popular Canadian tv shows, including Seeing Things and The Littlest Hobo.

But for a generation of Canadians, Westgate will always be remembered for his role as the smiling gas station attendant in the Esso commercials. Across Canada, some people believed that Westgate actually worked at an Esso station, which was a testament to his acting skills. Besides doing the commercial, Westgate would introduce those appearing on the Hot Stove League. This was an intermission piece that featured hockey personalities discussing various topics.

During World War Two, Murray Westgate served in the Canadian Navy and patrolled the sea for hostile submarines. Like everyone, he was glad to see the end of the war. He told writer Paul Hunter in 2012, "Thank God, that was the war to end all wars."

Two Legends: Former Toronto Maple Leaf goalie Johnny Bower (R) with Murray Westgate

Two Hockey Night in Canada colleagues, Brian McFarlane (L) with Murray Westgate

In April of this year, the Original Six Alumni looked forward to throwing a party at Sunnybrook to celebrate Murray's 100th birthday. Unfortunately, Toronto was under the grip of a brutal ice storm that made it impossible to travel. Thus, we all gathered on May 1 to pay tribute to the birthday boy. Little did we know, it would be his last birthday.

Yours truly with Murray Westgate on May 1, 2018


Murray Westgate was born on April 16, 1918, in Regina Saskatchewan. He passed away on August 27, 2018, in Toronto, Ontario.