Old Farts Thread

[bustoff]

More trivia, how many games did Gump Worsley wear a mask?

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by bustoff

More trivia, how many games did Gump Worsley wear a mask?

I know my memory is getting a little foggy but I think the only time Gump wore a mask was just before he retired , I dont remember the exact number of games but it was no more than 6-12 games , I do remember his age , he was 45 years old when he retired , his last team was the North Stars ..

[Johnny Pie]

Originally Posted by Maggie3and Me

Just wanted to drop in and report the weekend went off without a hitch. Made the trip and so far everything is ok, but I’m still recuperating. Will post more tomorrow.

My grandson graduated magna cum laude, with a major in business management. His two sisters and older brother were there, along with another of my grandsons. His wife’s parents and her sister were there, along with spouses and boyfriends. In total there were 18 of us. Among the group were two of my most precious angels, my 26 month old and 5 month old great granddaughters. Needles to say, grandma and I were extremely proud and happy.

The older brother of the graduate, who lives in Milwaukee, once again surprised me. I mentioned that I couldn’t go to the playoff series against the Canucks, due to my surgery. I went on to say that my grandson, his friend and her father went to the game. Well, the day after graduation, he came to our room and said he had something for me. He gave me autographed pictures of Denis Savard and Steve Larmer.

great to hear Roger. You and the wife should be proud,sounds like a great family. Enjoy

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by Maggie3and Me

Just wanted to drop in and report the weekend went off without a hitch. Made the trip and so far everything is ok, but I’m still recuperating. Will post more tomorrow.

My grandson graduated magna cum laude, with a major in business management. His two sisters and older brother were there, along with another of my grandsons. His wife’s parents and her sister were there, along with spouses and boyfriends. In total there were 18 of us. Among the group were two of my most precious angels, my 26 month old and 5 month old great granddaughters. Needles to say, grandma and I were extremely proud and happy.

The older brother of the graduate, who lives in Milwaukee, once again surprised me. I mentioned that I couldn’t go to the playoff series against the Canucks, due to my surgery. I went on to say that my grandson, his friend and her father went to the game. Well, the day after graduation, he came to our room and said he had something for me. He gave me autographed pictures of Denis Savard and Steve Larmer.

Glad to hear that your trip went without a hitch , was just a bit concerned about the drive their and back knowing the troubles you have had recuperating from this last operation .
You have every right to be proud , sounds like a very bright boy , but then the apple doesn't have to fall very far from the tree ..

[bustoff]

Originally Posted by fansince65

I know my memory is getting a little foggy but I think the only time Gump wore a mask was just before he retired , I dont remember the exact number of games but it was no more than 6-12 games , I do remember his age , he was 45 years old when he retired , his last team was the North Stars ..

One your #'s are correct. Gumper played 931 games including playoffs and only wore a mask for his last six games. I loves the old goalie mask.

Here's another one maybe more easier, who was the second goalie after Jacques Plante to wear a goalie mask?

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by bustoff

One your #'s are correct. Gumper played 931 games including playoffs and only wore a mask for his last six games. I loves the old goalie mask.

Here's another one maybe more easier, who was the second goalie after Jacques Plante to wear a goalie mask?

Actually Plante was the second goaltender to wear the mask .

Way back in 1920 a goaltender by the name of Clint Benedict wore a mask while playing for the Montreal Maroons , but he said it impaired his vision and never wore one again .

[bustoff]

I guess I should've said modern era. Benedicts' was more or less a chunk of leather hanging from his face.

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by bustoff

I guess I should've said modern era. Benedicts' was more or less a chunk of leather hanging from his face.

It was more like a football mask to protect his broken nose , once his nose healed he never wore it again .
!n 1927 a woman by the name of Elizabeth Graham wore one while playing for Queens University to protect her teeth .
I also read that a Goaltender at the 1936 Olympics wore a mask to protect his glasses , the one he wore was like a catchers mask .
I have a book laying around that was called the "History of The Goalie Mask" , just dont know where it is right now .
Plante was the first modern era goaltender in the NHL in 1959 to wear one ..

I can give you the name of the last goaltender to play without a mask , it was Andy Brown , he played his last game in 1974 ..

[fansince65]

I got a little off track their but when it comes to certain discussions I have a tendency to do that .

I think it was Terry Sawchuk that was the second "MODERN" day NHL goaltender to wear a mask full time ..

[bustoff]

No it wasn't Sawchuk.

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by bustoff

No it wasn't Sawchuk.

I vaguely remember a Boston Goaltender by the name of Don Simmonds (I think) doing a mask about the same time as Plante , it couldn't be him could it ??

[bustoff]

Correct. I think Simmons owns a goalie equipment franchise. I wonder if he still has that mask?

[fish7]

Bustoff and Fan you guys will like this video it is from the St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame honors for Garry Unger. He tells some great stories including his stories about fighting Noel Picard and Bob Plager when he was with Detroit. He also talks about Bob Gassoff's death

http://www.stlamhhof.com/2011/Garry/index.html

[Flyer_Frank]

Originally Posted by fish7

Bustoff and Fan you guys will like this video it is from the St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame honors for Garry Unger. He tells some great stories including his stories about fighting Noel Picard and Bob Plager when he was with Detroit. He also talks about Bob Gassoff's death

http://www.stlamhhof.com/2011/Garry/index.html

Wow, give that a look, it's quite a speech from Unger.

[Maggie3and Me]

Originally Posted by fish7

Bustoff and Fan you guys will like this video it is from the St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame honors for Garry Unger. He tells some great stories including his stories about fighting Noel Picard and Bob Plager when he was with Detroit. He also talks about Bob Gassoff's death

http://www.stlamhhof.com/2011/Garry/index.html

Great post, fish 7.

Thanks for sharing that video with us. To me, it showed the character and class of Gary Unger. He shared a lot of good memories about his playing days, and how the Blues were built in the early days. I do remember that playing the Blues back then was a different type of game. When you played them, it was like taking on an entire family. You got into it with one player and it meant you got into it with all the players. They were one of the tightest units in the game back then.

His comment about hockey players doing crazy things, regarding the Gassoff incident, was spot on then and even now in light of recent incidents. Let’s face it, hockey players are different from most other pro athletes. The mind set, the passion, and the dedication, as Unger put it, “to play one game”, in the NHL, separates them from most other pro’s. The pounding they take game in and game out for a season makes them feel they are “indestructible”, as Unger said. The good thing about that is hockey players are very special athletes. The bad thing at times is the thinking that they can’t be hurt.

From a guy who never liked playing against Unger, but, would have loved to have him in a Hawk uniform, I give him the utmost respect. That respect comes from his respect for the game, what he gave to the game, and what he continues to give to the game in speeches like this.