AN HONOUR FOR THE LATE JIM GREGORY

It took the National Hockey League little time to honour their former vice-president of hockey operations, Jim Gregory. The former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs passed away on October 30. On Tuesday, the League announced that the General Manager of the Year Award (first awarded in the 2009-10) was being renamed after Gregory. It will now be known as the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. The change was unanimously approved by the NHL GM's.

In a statement released by the NHL, Commissioner Gary Bettman stated, "This is a terrific tribute to a wonderful man by a group uniquely qualified to appreciate his many contributions to our game. During his tenure as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jim Gregory transformed the art of team-building. Through the many years he spent at the League, our general managers regularly sought his council. They universally revere his lifetime of service to the NHL.

HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!!!

On this date in 1902, broadcasting pioneer, Foster Hewitt, was born in Toronto, Ontario. He is the father of hockey play-by-play, and is noted for his signature call of "He shoots, he scorers!"

At the start of his career, calling Leaf games on the radio, Hewitt was perched in the rafters at Arena Gardens on Mutual Street. But that all changed when the Leafs moved to Maple Leaf Gardens, which was located at 60 Carlton Street.

During the summer of 1931,  Hewitt and Allan Thomson, who owned the construction company that was hired to build the Gardens, travelled to the Eaton's department store on Albert Street to do some research. The two men stopped at each floor and immediately went to the windows to observe the crowd below. They were determined to discover the best vantage point for Hewitt to broadcast the games from the Gardens.

Scott Young, in his book on Hewitt, described the results of their exploration.

By the end of the afternoon the decision had been made. From the fifth floor, Foster could pick out a woman with tight shoes and a man with some distinguishing mark, such as pencils in his in pocket or an unbuttoned jacket, could lose them in the crowd and pick them out again without difficulty. The fifth floor of the building was fifty-six feet above the street. Foster decided that his broadcast booth would be fifty-six feet above the ice surface.

Hewitt's new home at Maple Leaf Gardens would be known as the Gondola.

Recently, I had the pleasure of having an exclusive tour of the Leafs current home, the Scotiabank Arena. The tour included a stop at The Foster Hewitt Media Gondola. Although it is a different era, and different building, I couldn't help but think of Foster Hewitt, as I stopped at the radio booth and  visited with the current broadcast team of Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph.

Happy Birthday, Foster Hewitt.

HHOF: IN MEMORIAM

On Monday evening, the hockey world gathered at Brookfield Place for the Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Gala. In the player category, Guy Carbonneau, Sergei Zubov, Vaclav Nedomansky, and Hayley Wickenheiser were inducted; Jerry York, and Jim Rutherford were inducted in the builders category.

While the event is a joyous time, it's also a time to remember the Honoured Members and Builders who died in the past year. Early in the proceedings, a moment was taken to recognize Jim Gregory, Harry Howell, Red Kelly, and Ted Lindsay.

Below are links to stories I wrote on each of these gentlemen who gave so much to the game...

Jim Gregory

Harry Howell

Red Kelly

Ted Lindsay

THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF PUNCH IMLACH

When the National Hockey League released the schedule of games for the 1970-71 season, fans in Toronto and Buffalo circled November 18, 1970. Besides being the first regular season trip to Maple Leaf Gardens by the expansion Buffalo Sabres, the common denominator between the two clubs was former Leafs' coach and general manager; and then current Sabres' coach and general manager, Punch Imlach.

Tonight marks the 49th anniversary of that memorable first encounter, and I was fortunate to see the game in-person. Like I did for every game I attended, I kept the ticket stub (above), but it is the only time I wrote on the back of a stub. The anticipation, and subsequent outcome, made me want to preserve the fact I was there. The Buffalo team was so new that I misspelled "Sabers."

When Buffalo was granted an NHL franchise to start play in 1970, the close proximity to Toronto made them a natural rival with the Maple Leafs. And this rivalry was magnified when Punch Imlach was named the coach and GM of the Sabres. In the spring of 1969, Imlach was fired by Stafford Smythe after a run that resulted in four Stanley Cups in the 1960s under Imlach's regime.

The stage was set on November 18, 1970, for Imlach to bring his new troops to battle his former warriors at Maple Leaf Gardens.

The most vivid memories I have of the contest is the repeated ovations the crowd gave Imlach. Also, I recall the brilliant netminding of former Detroit goalie, Roger Crozier, who was now between the pipes for Buffalo.

On the eve of his return, Imlach said, "I wouldn't miss this one for the world." And there was no doubt Imlach wanted revenge on his former team. "I would like to win this game. They (the Buffalo players) know what it means to me."

And the Sabres didn't disappoint the boss, as they skated to a 7-2 thumping of the Leafs. Imlach's post-game comments once again put him under the spotlight at his former stomping grounds at 60 Carlton Street.

"This win rates with the night my Leaf team came from behind a two-goal deficit to beat [the] Red Wings in Detroit and make the Stanley Cup playoffs in the final game in 1958-59. I rate that thrill as bigger than any of my four Stanley Cup triumphs for Toronto. It had something special. No one gave that team a chance, just like very few gave us a snowball's chance in this game."

Toronto couldn't handle Buffalo's offensive outburst, a fact that was conceded by Leaf coach, Johnny McLellan. "They beat the hell out of us. What more is there to say. Our fellows were terrible defensively, [they] forgot that part of their game."

That isn't to say the Leafs didn't generate any offence of their own. The only obstacle was Roger Crozier kept them in-check. He only allowed two goals and stopped 44 shots.

In his story for The Globe and Mail, Dan Proudfoot wrote about Crozier's brilliant outing:

Fans applauded each of Crozier's spectacular saves. They applauded often. Crozier had Mike Walton, the outstanding Leaf, skating in small frustrated circles after making twin saves.

When the final bell rang, the Gardens was filled with the chant, "We want Punch, we want Punch!"

The loudest voice came from the West Blues, Section 44, Row B, Seat 5.

GALLERY 

THE LEAFS' SANTA

Today, the 115th Toronto Santa Claus Parade takes place downtown.

Flashback to 2016, when this float featured legendary Toronto Maple Leaf goalie, Johnny Bower. Of all the former or current Leafs that could have been selected, Johnny's likeness was chosen to appear on the float.

There is a long tradition of Johnny Bower being associated with the Christmas season. When Santa made an appearance at a Leaf Christmas party, Johnny couldn't be found, but he suddenly showed up once Santa took flight. Then, there is the classic recording of "Johnny Bower and Little John with the Rinky Dinks, singing Honky the Christmas Goose."

A PHOTO TO REMEMBER: WALLY, CHUCK & SKIP

One of the fun aspects of looking back on the history of hockey are the photographs that captured the special moments.

I came across the above photo of Wally Stanowski, Skip Stanowski and Charlie Rayner. At the time, Stanowski and Rayner were members of the New York Rangers. What makes the photo unique, is the fact young Skip Stalnowski is the focus.

With a copy of the photo sitting on the table, I sat down with Skip Stanowski to discuss what was happening in the photo and his memories of living in New York.

But first, here is the interesting story of how his dad became a Ranger. The text is from an interview I conducted with Wally.

Decked out in a comfortable blue plaid shirt and with a stream of smoke billowing from the bowl of his pipe, Stanowski sat back in his chair during one of my visits and told me about his trade to the New York Rangers in June of 1948.
"That year they (Toronto) didn't play me and I thought I've got to go to a team where I can play."
To accomplish this, Stanowski knew he would have to be proactive in getting the ball rolling.
"I told a Toronto reporter of my intention to quit hockey and go into business on my own. He was the only one I told. My wife didn't even know."
Like a hunter who sets a trap, Stanowski took cover and waited for his trap to work.
"I knew the reporter would take that information up to Smythe. He was a tattletale and he would get a favour from Smythe."
As the story goes, the reporter did go to Smythe with the information and shortly thereafter, Stanowski was traded to the New York Rangers. This transaction only occurred after Stanowski talked with Frank Boucher, who ran the Rangers.
"I understand you are going to quit," Boucher said to Stanowski.
"I have no intention of quitting," Stanowski told his future employer.
Secure in the knowledge he had a commitment from Stanowski, the Rangers manager made the deal with Smythe.
Aware that he could lose one of his assets without getting a return, Smythe took the bait planted by Stanowski. He wasn't going to call Stanowski's bluff.

"This photo was taken in New York around 1950," Skip said as we began our talk. "I lived in New York with my dad. This is my dad at the practice facility. He is holding me up while I'm trying to score a goal on Chuck Rayner."

The picture was taken at the old Madison Square Garden.

"The practice facility was above the Garden," Skip explained. "Ice was at a premium because the Garden was used 365 days-a-year. It was used for boxing, the circus, wrestling, basketball, you name it. So, this was the only location the Rangers had to practice. When the Rangers weren't using the ice, it was used for public skating."

Skip pointed out several features that made the practice rink unique.

"The dimensions weren't the same as an NHL rink. There was no seating and the windows gave it a distinctive look," Skip stated while holding the photo.

"I was in grade one or two at that time. In those days, the players all lived in the city. Now, they live on Long Island or some other area. Most of the Rangers lived in the Knickerbocker Hotel as it was close by. The season was short, so they lived there for six months. The short walking distance made it easy for me to go to practices.

"We had one-bedroom and a hot plate. The best thing about the Knickerbocker Hotel was that they knew I was the kid of a hockey player, so I had signing privileges in the tuck shop on the ground floor. I could bring my buddies from school and get some candy, and I'd sign it to the room."

Every chance he had, Skip would find his way over to Madison Square Garden.

"I was over at the practice facility a fare bit. I was in the dressing room and one of the nice things was spending time with the Rangers' trainer, Frank Paice. He became a good friend with our family. I went to Cornell University, and we played in a tournament at the old Garden, and Frank came to see me play.

"The players were family, and they treated everyone like family," Skip said of the close relationships within the team. "Chuck Rayner was a good friend to my dad. He and "Sugar" Jim Henry, another NHL goalie, had a fishing lodge, and we all went fishing together. New York was Dad's favourite place to play. He had better accomplishments in Toronto, but loved New York most of all.

What seemed like an extraordinary event to most - skating on the ice with Dad and one of his teammates after practice - didn't apply to the likes of Skip Stanowski. I asked Skip what it felt like to participate in that experience.

"I just thought it was a normal thing, he replied. "The players weren't revered as superstars like they are now. They made somewhat semi-normal salaries. The players loved it when the kids came out on the ice. When my dad and the rest of the guys, like Sid Smith, played for the Oldtimers, I was in the dressing room with them. I was older, and instead of drinking a Seven-Up, I'd have a beer with them."

But the most important, and anticipated, question I had for Skip relating to the photo was whether or not he scored on Chuck Rayner? It seemed like a daunting task considering he would have to hold back Wally and get his backhander past a future Hall of Fame goalie.

Skip's answer was short and to the point, but came with a smile on his face, and the knowledge the photo was one to remember.

"No, no, you can see Dad was holding me up."

MEMORIES OF MAPLE LEAF GARDENS

88-years-ago tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs played their first game at Maple Leaf Gardens. They made the move from their former home at Arena Gardens on Mutual Street.

For many generations, a trip to the Gardens was a huge moment, especially, when you were a kid.

How many of you remember exiting the College Street subway station, then walking east on Carlton Street past the Odeon Theatre, the Hydro Building, and taking the final steps towards the Gardens?

I can still smell the roasted peanuts and freshly popped popcorn sold by the vendor at the main entrance. His cart was partially situated on the sidewalk and the road.

The journey was only beginning at this point. Going through the old fashioned turnstiles meant you were a step closer.

Once inside the hockey palace, the fun and excitement took hold.

The glorious photos affixed to the blue/white cement walls were must viewing. The concession stands - food and memorabilia - were explored before heading upstairs to the greys. Once seated, you were temporarily blinded by the TV lights. Being so high up, you couldn't help but focus on locating Foster Hewitt's famous Gondola. With a bit of luck, the seats were on the opposite side of Hewitt's broadcast location. Then, there was the domed roof and its intricate steel construction.

After the pre-game warm-up, there was great anticipation of the magic that was to unfold once the Leafs and their opponent returned to the ice.

It was game time at Maple Leaf Gardens.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

In my book on Bob Goldham, I wrote about his dad, Harry Goldham. The elder Goldham served in World War One as a stretcher-bearer. These were the brave men who risked everything to retrieve the injured and the lost souls on the battlefield.

During my research, I came across a remarkable passage that described the dreadful conditions the stretcher-bearers had to work under. It wasn't pretty.

Here is the passage from "Stretcher-Bearers...at the Double" by Frederick W. Noyes, which was published in 1937:

Under actual battle conditions we simply picked up our wounded man as tenderly as possible, bandaged him as quickly as circumstances would permit, and carried him out as fast as his weight, terrain, and our own fear and legs would let us go.
What man who carried wounded under these circumstances could ever forget the terrible groaning, cursing, and pleading of the poor fellow, half-rolling off a shoulder-high stretcher? Who could ever forget the dark brown and purplish stain that seeped through the stretcher canvas, and all-to-often dripped down on our backs and arms? Who can't remember the seeming futility of the whole mad business, as we were unable to take cover when shells blasted the chalky ooze all over us, or when a  bearer was hit and fell, dumping perhaps a compound-fracture case, shrieking with additional pain, into a ruddy, stinking trench or shell-hole? And how many times did we go through all this, only to find, on reaching the aid-post, that the wounded man had died on the way, and that all our efforts to save him were futile? Nothing grand or heroic about all that, was there? It was simply a matter of carrying on as long as you had sufficient strength and fortitude to do so.
The nights were very cold and, when a day without rain did come along, the hot sun baked the chalky uniforms into hard, chafing, misshapen masses.

Their work was emotionally drenching, and gruelling. All day and all night, they dug deep to seek the courage to conduct their duties. The job description never changed. The conditions never changed. The pain and suffering never left.

The stretcher-bearers never forgot their responsibilities to their fellow man or their country.

Lest we forget.

DEAN PRENTICE: 1932-2019

On November 2, 2019, Dean Prentice passed away at the age of 87 in Cambridge, Ontario. He was born in  Schumacher, Ontario on October 5, 1932.

Dean Prentice played his junior A hockey with the Guelph Biltmores and the power-packed Biltmores with Prentice, Harry Howell, Louie Fontinato, and Andy Bathgate, were crowned Memorial Cup champions in 1952.

At the beginning of the 1952-53 NHL season, Prentice was summoned by the New York Rangers and made his NHL debut on October 22, 1952, at their home opener in Madison Square Garden.

A talented left winger, Prentice scored 20 or more goals for 5 different NHL teams - New York, Boston, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Minnesota. This was during an era when 20 goals was considered the benchmark for goal scorers. It reflects the consistency of his game.

His best NHL year was in 1960 with the Rangers. Prentice scored 32 goals and 34 assists for 66 points in 70 contests. He played in 5 All-Star Games and was selected to the Second All-Star Team in 1960.

Hockey was in the Prentice family blood, as his brother, Eric, skated for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1943-44.

Prentice remained in the NHL for 22 season, with his run coming to a close after the 1973-74 campaign.

"Today we mourn the passing of longtime Ranger Dean Prentice," wrote the New York Rangers in their Twitter account. "Dean will always remain in our hearts and will forever be a part of the Blueshirts family."

The NHL Alumni also posted a comment on Twitter. "We are saddened to announce the passing of NHL Alumni Dean Prentice. Prentice spent an illustrious 22 years in the NHL with the Rangers, Red Wings, Bruins, North Stars, and Penguins. We send or condolences to the entire Prentice family following their loss."

CLEAR THE TRACK - HERE COMES THE EDDIE SHACK BOOK

It is always fun when an author makes an appearance at the Original Six Alumni lunch to promote or sell their book.

And that was the case during the November gathering, when former NHL forward, Eddie Shack, decked out in his customary cowboy hat, sat in a booth and signed copies of his new book - Eddie Shack: Hockey's Most Entertaining Stories. Shack was joined by Ken Reid, from SportsNet, who wrote the text.

Left to Right: Gary Collins, Pete Conacher, Bob Nevin, Eddie Shack, Bob Baun , and Ken Reid. 

Ken Reid, signing a copy of the book.

After signing most of his inventory, Shack, along with Reid, and Brian Ehrenworth, president of Frameworth Publishing Inc., gathered around the microphone to speak about their project.

"I'm in the sports marketing business and most of the guys I represent are current players, like Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews," Ehrenworth told the room. "Eddie's in the neighbourhood so he stops by quite frequently to our shop."

Ehrenworth stated that talk about creating the book began after he conducted a podcast with Shack. The stories flowed in the podcast and after a meeting in Ehrenworth's office, he suggested to Shack that the next step should be to preserve the stories in written form.

After the trio discussed the book, they were joined by Shack's former teammate on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Bob Baun. The banter between them resembled something out of the movie "The Odd Couple." For most of the discussion, they were complete opposites, with Shack sounding like the overbearing and uncouth Oscar Madison. Baun, was more like Felix Unger, with his gentle voice and non-aggressive approach. This isn't to say Baun took it without getting some shots in.

On the blue line, Baun earned the nickname "Boomer," due to his thunderous bodychecks. His demeanour away from the game was much different. But with Shack, he was the same no matter the situation.

But when everything was said and done, Shack and Baun hugged it out, and went back to their seats.

Most impressive in the book is the collection of wonderful photographs and Reid did an impressive job getting the stories on paper.

The final word went to Shack.

"The book is unbelievable and if you haven't bought one yet, buy one you cheap...," said Eddie "The Entertainer," catching himself before he finished his sentence.

Photo Credit: Lora Evans/Hat Trik Pro.