Bob “Battleship” Kelly vs. John Wensink November 20th 1977
- Thread starter Your Boy Troy
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Sheppy
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- Mar 10, 2010
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Kelly was "arguably" the better fighter in their primes but this was a past prime Kelly who still hung there vs a prime John Wensink. Both guys were tough as nails, Wensink had a granite chin. Both former Rochester American's who played for Don Cherry.
GMR
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Jack Burton
Pro Tank Since 13
Didn’t they both get drafted by STL along with Gassoff, when they were trying to catch up to Shero and the Flyers ? I think Clarence Campbell was there and said “WTH are you doing, getting ready for WWIII ? “
- Mar 3, 2002
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John Bob "Battleship" Kelly was born in 1946. 6'2" 200 lbs. Drafted by Toronto Maple Leafs in 1967 2nd round #16 oa. Never played for the Maple Leafs. Bounced around New York Rangers minor league teams in IHL and AHL.
Even ended up playing 6 games for Boston Bruins CHL Oklahoma City Blazers late in 1971-72.
Then Battleship caught a break when signing with Don Cherry's Rochester Americans of the AHL in 1972-73. He scored 27 goals and had 206 PIM. As we all know Grapes loved him. Next year 1973-74 Kelly signed with the St. Louis Blues.
That same year Blues had drafted two tough customers #48 - Bob Gassoff on defense and #104 - John Wensink on left wing.
Bob Gassoff was mean and downright dirty, but he could play and boy could he fight. His first pro season split between Denver in the old WHL and St Louis 385 PIM. Tragically Gassoff was killed in a motorcycle accident in the summer of 1977.
John Wensink born 1953 6'0" 200 lbs. Played only three games for the Blues in his rookie season. Then Don Cherry signed him for the Rochester Americans for the rest of the 1973-74.
Then in 1974-75 Don Cherry became coach of the Boston Bruins and John played that season in CHL. Cherry didn't forget about Wensink and had Harry Sinden sign him for the Americans who had become the Bruins AHL farm team in 1976-77. Later that season Wensink was called up to the Bruins and stayed in Boston for four years. Having his share of fights but also scored 28 goals in 1978-79.
Wensink of course became famous for challenging the whole Minnesota North Stars bench during a brawl. There were no takers.
Kelly, Gassoff and Wensink were feared fighters but not in the same class as Terry O'Reilly, Stan Jonathan or Mel Bridgman, Behn Wilson or Clark Gillies and later Bob Probert or Joey Kocur. One of the best pure fighters and also a great hockey player was Wendel Clark and the strongest of them all were Larry Robinson. Like Zdeno Chara in his prime.
Loved the 70's and 80's. So many characters, so different hockey.
Even ended up playing 6 games for Boston Bruins CHL Oklahoma City Blazers late in 1971-72.
Then Battleship caught a break when signing with Don Cherry's Rochester Americans of the AHL in 1972-73. He scored 27 goals and had 206 PIM. As we all know Grapes loved him. Next year 1973-74 Kelly signed with the St. Louis Blues.
That same year Blues had drafted two tough customers #48 - Bob Gassoff on defense and #104 - John Wensink on left wing.
Bob Gassoff was mean and downright dirty, but he could play and boy could he fight. His first pro season split between Denver in the old WHL and St Louis 385 PIM. Tragically Gassoff was killed in a motorcycle accident in the summer of 1977.
John Wensink born 1953 6'0" 200 lbs. Played only three games for the Blues in his rookie season. Then Don Cherry signed him for the Rochester Americans for the rest of the 1973-74.
Then in 1974-75 Don Cherry became coach of the Boston Bruins and John played that season in CHL. Cherry didn't forget about Wensink and had Harry Sinden sign him for the Americans who had become the Bruins AHL farm team in 1976-77. Later that season Wensink was called up to the Bruins and stayed in Boston for four years. Having his share of fights but also scored 28 goals in 1978-79.
Wensink of course became famous for challenging the whole Minnesota North Stars bench during a brawl. There were no takers.
Kelly, Gassoff and Wensink were feared fighters but not in the same class as Terry O'Reilly, Stan Jonathan or Mel Bridgman, Behn Wilson or Clark Gillies and later Bob Probert or Joey Kocur. One of the best pure fighters and also a great hockey player was Wendel Clark and the strongest of them all were Larry Robinson. Like Zdeno Chara in his prime.
Loved the 70's and 80's. So many characters, so different hockey.
Iapyi
Registered User
Wensick was born in Pincher Creek, Alberta which is basically on the fringe of Calgary city limits.
Alas to me pulling hair in an NHL fight is an automatic loss.
Alas to me pulling hair in an NHL fight is an automatic loss.
- Mar 3, 2002
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Dan Kelly
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- Sep 27, 2017
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actually Pincher Creek is 2 hours south of Calgary. you may be thinking of Bragg Creek perhaps?
Iapyi
Registered User
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
BobbyAwe
Registered User
Kelly, Gassoff and Wensink were feared fighters but not in the same class as Terry O'Reilly, Stan Jonathan or Mel Bridgman, Behn Wilson or Clark Gillies and later Bob Probert or Joey Kocur. One of the best pure fighters and also a great hockey player was Wendel Clark and the strongest of them all were Larry Robinson. Like Zdeno Chara in his prime.
Loved the 70's and 80's. So many characters, so different hockey.[/QUOTE]Don't forget Bob Nystrom
wensink vs bob nystrom - Bing video
Loved the 70's and 80's. So many characters, so different hockey.[/QUOTE]Don't forget Bob Nystrom
wensink vs bob nystrom - Bing video
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