Huh. Second cousin of mine. Followed his career because of it. Came out of juniors expected to be a high-scoring star but turned into a PK specialist.
Former pro hockey players/management/others deaths (Wally Harris)
- Thread starter Nunymare
- Start date
SealsFan
Registered User
- May 3, 2009
- 1,716
- 506
Damn, another Seal/Baron has left the rink. Mike Christie, Bob Stewart and now Ralph....
Robert Sabourin 1933 - 2020 - Obituary
Bob Sabourin, played one game for Toronto in 1951-52. Died July 9.
Bob Sabourin, played one game for Toronto in 1951-52. Died July 9.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Not known as an NHL’er, but he had an extensive minor league career at a time when the minors were interesting. His teammates included Tumba Johansson, Willie O’Ree, Don Cherry, John Brophy (during his Long Island Ducks term, which inspired the character of Reg Dunlop), and of course many future and past NHL talents.
MiamiScreamingEagles
Global Moderator
- Jan 17, 2004
- 71,248
- 48,224
Dale Hawerchuk has passed away.
Doctor No
Registered User
Really sad to see (and kudos to MSE for being quicker on the draw than I was!).
David Bruce Banner
Nude Cabdriver Ban
Well shit... RIP Mr. Hawerchuk. You were a damn fine Jet. I hated when my team played against you
Doctor No
Registered User
This clip might be how I remember Hawerchuk best:
Voight
#winning
Always found Hawerchuk to be underrated. Sucks to see him gone so soon 
I was cheering for DRW in 1997, but he was one of those guys you wish had won a cup at the very end to top off a great career.
I was cheering for DRW in 1997, but he was one of those guys you wish had won a cup at the very end to top off a great career.
Famed Boston University hockey coach Jack Kelley dies at 93 - The Boston Globe
Jack Kelley, who coached Boston University to NCAA hockey championships in 1971 and 1972 before being named the first coach and general manager of the New England Whalers, has died, the school confirmed. He was 93.
Born in Malden, Kelley starred at Belmont High before attending BU, where he led the Terriers to the NCAA finals in 1950 and 1951. He finished his playing career in 1952 by being named first-team All-New England and All-East, and team MVP.
He coached at Colby College for seven years beginning in 1955 and was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1962 after leading Colby to the semifinals of the first ECAC hockey tournament at Boston Arena. The following year, after Harry Cleverly resigned, Kelley returned to BU and took over as coach.
After the 1972 season, Kelley joined the Whalers as they began their first season in the World Hockey Association, and led them to the inaugural Avco World Trophy.
"Dear Whaler Nation.
It’s a sad day not only for all Whaler fans but for all hockey fans. Jack Kelley, was always the heart and soul of the Whalers.
Lest we all forget, the Whaler history began in Boston. The franchise was awarded to our group in November 1971. In February we announced the signing of famed Boston University coach and Colby college coach, Jack Kelley. He was our first General Manager and coach. And he proceeded to put a team together from all arms of the sport, NHL, AHL, and the college ranks. A perfect blend of Canadian players and American players. And there were very very few Americans in the league then.
This blend of great players led by Jack Kelley, everyone of them with a point to prove, went on to win everything there was to win that first year. We played in the “belly of the beast”, the Boston Garden. We shared the building with three other tenants. The Bruins, the Celtics and the Boston Braves of the AHL.
Many laughed at the notion of this group achieving anything much less winning everything. And at the end of the year Jack Kelley and I stood on the Garden ice lifting our makeshift Trophy (the league had forgotten to get one) and challenged the Montréal Canadians to a winner take all game. They declined our offer.
This year was my favorite year in hockey. And this year was because of Jack Kelley. He led us all. And we prevailed.
I loved this man. As a partner, as the great hockey man he was but most of all as my friend.
Whaler Nation and all of hockey mourns his loss. We send our deepest sympathies and love and prayers to all the Kelley family.
And for those hockey players up there, get ready, coach Kelley is amongst you now."
Howard Baldwin
“It’s a sad day not only for all Whaler fans but for all hockey fans,” Whalers Founder Howard L. Baldwin said in a statement. “Jack Kelley was always the heart and soul of the Whalers.”
He worked later as an administrator in the Detroit Red Wings organization, and served as president of the Pittsburgh Penguins until his retirement in 2001. In 1993, he was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame.
Jack Kelley, who coached Boston University to NCAA hockey championships in 1971 and 1972 before being named the first coach and general manager of the New England Whalers, has died, the school confirmed. He was 93.
Born in Malden, Kelley starred at Belmont High before attending BU, where he led the Terriers to the NCAA finals in 1950 and 1951. He finished his playing career in 1952 by being named first-team All-New England and All-East, and team MVP.
He coached at Colby College for seven years beginning in 1955 and was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1962 after leading Colby to the semifinals of the first ECAC hockey tournament at Boston Arena. The following year, after Harry Cleverly resigned, Kelley returned to BU and took over as coach.
After the 1972 season, Kelley joined the Whalers as they began their first season in the World Hockey Association, and led them to the inaugural Avco World Trophy.
"Dear Whaler Nation.
It’s a sad day not only for all Whaler fans but for all hockey fans. Jack Kelley, was always the heart and soul of the Whalers.
Lest we all forget, the Whaler history began in Boston. The franchise was awarded to our group in November 1971. In February we announced the signing of famed Boston University coach and Colby college coach, Jack Kelley. He was our first General Manager and coach. And he proceeded to put a team together from all arms of the sport, NHL, AHL, and the college ranks. A perfect blend of Canadian players and American players. And there were very very few Americans in the league then.
This blend of great players led by Jack Kelley, everyone of them with a point to prove, went on to win everything there was to win that first year. We played in the “belly of the beast”, the Boston Garden. We shared the building with three other tenants. The Bruins, the Celtics and the Boston Braves of the AHL.
Many laughed at the notion of this group achieving anything much less winning everything. And at the end of the year Jack Kelley and I stood on the Garden ice lifting our makeshift Trophy (the league had forgotten to get one) and challenged the Montréal Canadians to a winner take all game. They declined our offer.
This year was my favorite year in hockey. And this year was because of Jack Kelley. He led us all. And we prevailed.
I loved this man. As a partner, as the great hockey man he was but most of all as my friend.
Whaler Nation and all of hockey mourns his loss. We send our deepest sympathies and love and prayers to all the Kelley family.
And for those hockey players up there, get ready, coach Kelley is amongst you now."
Howard Baldwin
“It’s a sad day not only for all Whaler fans but for all hockey fans,” Whalers Founder Howard L. Baldwin said in a statement. “Jack Kelley was always the heart and soul of the Whalers.”
He worked later as an administrator in the Detroit Red Wings organization, and served as president of the Pittsburgh Penguins until his retirement in 2001. In 1993, he was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame.
Last edited:
ucanthanzalthetruth
#CatsAreCooked
- Jul 13, 2013
- 27,418
- 29,741
ucanthanzalthetruth
#CatsAreCooked
- Jul 13, 2013
- 27,418
- 29,741
Jersey Fan 12
Positive Vibes
- Nov 20, 2006
- 6,059
- 2,584
One of the early greats in Czech hockey passed away recently in Sweden at the age of 97.
A fascinating player who excelled in tennis as well. He was also at the heart of one of the darker stories in sports history - the arrest of the entire 1950 national team.
A fascinating player who excelled in tennis as well. He was also at the heart of one of the darker stories in sports history - the arrest of the entire 1950 national team.
Theokritos
Global Moderator
- Apr 6, 2010
- 12,541
- 4,937
One of the biggest European hockey stars prior to the 1960s. Czech hockey coaches, players and journalists voted him #3 in a 1998 Best Czech Players of the Century poll. Only Dominik Hašek and Jaromír Jágr were ahead of him.
But is this really news? I thought he had passed away months ago.
EDIT: Yes, he died last March. But if a discussion about him evolves here, then why not have a thread.
Update: Moved to the existing "In Memoriam" thread.
But is this really news? I thought he had passed away months ago.
EDIT: Yes, he died last March. But if a discussion about him evolves here, then why not have a thread.
Update: Moved to the existing "In Memoriam" thread.
Last edited:
As an ex-Soviet, I know of him because of the legendary LTC Prague trip to Moscow in 1948, when they played three games versus Team Moscow (de facto Team USSR).
Ken Schinkel, former Ranger and Penguin, died today aged 87:
Former Penguins forward, coach, executive Ken Schinkel dies at 87
After several years with the Rangers at the NHL and AHL level was a member of the inaugural Penguins team, where he played until 1973. Retired mid-season and was named coach of the team, staying there for four of the next five seasons. Stayed in various executive roles until 1989 when he joined the Whalers.
Ken Schinkel (1932-2020)
Former Penguins forward, coach, executive Ken Schinkel dies at 87
After several years with the Rangers at the NHL and AHL level was a member of the inaugural Penguins team, where he played until 1973. Retired mid-season and was named coach of the team, staying there for four of the next five seasons. Stayed in various executive roles until 1989 when he joined the Whalers.
Ken Schinkel (1932-2020)
Robert Gordon Orr
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2009
- 979
- 2,039
You never want to see this thread being updated.
I will never forget when Schinkel told me some of the hilarious Eddie Shore stories over a few drinks. He was a good storyteller in that regard. With Don Cherry's book in mind and all the wild stories he had about Eddie Shore, I asked Schinkel if Shore really was such a tyrant and if the crazy stories were true. Schinkel said that Cherry did not exaggerate. Even the really thick skinned players couldn't believe their eyes with some of Shore's shenanigans.
He told me about the now famous lightbulb story, the special medical treatments by Shore, how the old man harassed referees and goal judges, how cheap he was, and so forth. But he also said that behind that grumpy facade, Shore had a big heart and helped players when they got in trouble, or with money when something happened in the family, all this without any fanfare or taking any credit.
I remember how Schinkel said that he really worked his butt off to reach the NHL. It was a six team league back in the days, and not many spots were open. Training camps were really tough mentally and physically; He had to grind it out in the minors for several years before getting a shot in the big league. But speaking of Shore again, he said that he learned a lot from him, despite his antics. We had a lot of laughs. I'm sure he is having a drink or two up there with his buddy André Boudrias.
Ken Schinkel, another one gone who had a rich history. R.I.P.
Hate to keep updating this, but Fred Sasakamoose died today aged 86 from COVID-19 related complications: Sasakamoose, Indigenous NHL pioneer, dies at 86
Most notable as one of the first indigenous people to play in the NHL (there are reports of earlier players but I don't believe anything is confirmed), Sasakamoose played 11 games with Chicago during the 1953-54 season.
Fred Sasakamoose (1933-2020)
Most notable as one of the first indigenous people to play in the NHL (there are reports of earlier players but I don't believe anything is confirmed), Sasakamoose played 11 games with Chicago during the 1953-54 season.
Fred Sasakamoose (1933-2020)
