ATD 2013 - Draft Thread VI

[Stoneberg]

Sorry folks haven't had time to keep up with the last few rounds, I'll just grab Behn Wilson, D with our skipped pick.

 

[BillyShoe1721]

Philadelphia selects LW John Ferguson, solely to serve as Jean Ratelle's bodyguard should we face a tough team. He will sub out for Dave Trottier to play alongside Ratelle and Gare if we think a team may take a run at Gentleman Jean.

5x Stanley Cup Champion
2x NHL All Star Game Participant
7x Top 9 PIM(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9)
.638 Adjusted PPG(before adjusted for games played, so it's slightly lower)

"Everyone knew what he stood for during his eight seasons with the team … how he felt, what he thought, liked, loved and hated. What he loved was to win. Losing was what he hated. There was nothing complicated about his game. It was hit first, ask no questions later. He played to inflict pain … to intimidate. No exceptions. Opposing players were fair game. If he happened to be a goaltender, tough!"

Beliveau wrote that Ferguson was "the most formidable player of the decade [the 1960s] and possibly in the Canadiens' history. His greatest contribution was his spirit … his intensity consumed him, his blood boiling when that of others simply simmered."

Ferguson was the league's most feared player. Fans from the day remember his brawls with Chicago's Bobby Hull and Toronto's Eddie Shack, almost gothic stuff, no holds barred, no helmets worn.

He was more than a noble savage. Behind the mayhem was an intelligence. Hockey's toughest player was possibly the smartest.

Teammates, though, understood Ferguson's role and recognized his value. One year they voted him their most valuable player. None of Ferguson's teammates appreciated him more than Beliveau. Late in his career, Beliveau played his best hockey with Ferguson patrolling his wing.

Opponents looked at Ferguson like a china shop owner would eye a rodeo bull, but they recognized his importance to Montreal's success. "I was scared to death to be on the ice against him and he probably even scared his teammates," says Bob Clarke, who broke in with Philadelphia in 1969.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=obits/ferguson/071227

John Ferguson is known througout hockey circles as perhaps the toughest hockey player in the modern day NHL. He is often considered to be hockey's first "goon" or "designated sitter." Critics claimed he was only there to protect the smaller skilled players on the Montreal Canadiens. However the colorful and feared left winger was also a very solid hockey player.

The main concern from Montreal coach Toe Blake was with Boston's "Terrible" Ted Green, who played "with the heart and guts of a pitbull" and was generally considered to be hockey's toughest player. Green was well aware of the rookie known as Fergie and was willing to test him. Just 12 seconds into the game the two collided and dropped the gloves. Ferguson landed three quick blows numbing Green and instantly taking the title as hockey's unofficial heavyweight champion, a title he never relinquished until he retired.
He was a key member of 5 Montreal Stanley Cup Championships. Make no doubt he made those who played with him a better player. Small and speedy guys like Geoffrion, Cournoyer, Beliveau, and Henri Richard played a lot bigger knowing Fergie was behind them.

http://habslegends.blogspot.com/2006/05/john-ferguson.html

Bruising left-winger John Ferguson earned quite a reputation in an NHL career that spanned just eight seasons. From the moment he suited up for the Montreal Canadiens Ferguson vowed to be "the meanest, rottenest, most miserable cuss ever to play in the NHL." The Canadiens had recruited the fierce forward because they felt the team lacked toughness, and John Ferguson delivered in spades.

http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12581

Ferguson isn't a complete black hole offensively. He averaged 36.6 ESP per 75 games. He certainly played with great linemates, but was 7th in ESG in the league in '68-69. I'd say he was a better offensive player than Tiger Williams, Georges Laraque, or Bob Probert.

 

[tony d]

Well, I think that's the end of the draft (Unless there are any more add or drops). Best of luck to all of my fellow GM's and thanks to all of you for such a good draft. Looking forward to reviewing a few teams and getting some reviews. It's very wide open this year and any team can win it.

 

[BubbaBoot]

Philadelphia selects LW John Ferguson, solely to serve as Jean Ratelle's bodyguard should we face a tough team. He will sub out for Dave Trottier to play alongside Ratelle and Gare if we think a team may take a run at Gentleman Jean.

Excellent pick....he was the one guy on Montreal who kept the Bruins in check for the most part. The guy was literally rock solid and you're right, he didn't hurt you offensively either. I'm surprised he lasted this long.... it is so hard to measure intangibles but you know it when a guy has it in spades.

Anyone else notice how much he and Vinnie Jones, (another known sports policeman who would do anything to win), look alike?

 

[Hobnobs]

Excellent pick....he was the one guy on Montreal who kept the Bruins in check for the most part. The guy was literally rock solid and you're right, he didn't hurt you offensively either. I'm surprised he lasted this long.... it is so hard to measure intangibles but you know it when a guy has it in spades.

Anyone else notice how much he and Vinnie Jones, (another known sports policeman who would do anything to win), look alike?

Vinnie wasnt a policeman, he was a lunatic!

 

[BubbaBoot]

Vinnie wasnt a policeman, he was a lunatic!

Genius!

 

[Hobnobs]

btw the guy getting punched in the nuts is gascogne, another lunatic!

Tho Paul "Gazza" Gascogne was brittish footballs Sean Avery but much worse off the field and better on it.

 

[BubbaBoot]

btw the guy getting punched in the nuts is gascogne, another lunatic!

Tho Paul "Gazza" Gascogne was brittish footballs Sean Avery but much worse off the field and better on it.

So we have John Ferguson beating on Sean Avery...I'd pay to see that.