Sports Central Message Boards - View Single Post - off-beat hockey players and personalities

wingoilerfan · 02-08-2003, 09:01 PM

#9. HOWIE YOUNG
Young was known as well for his off-ice shenanigans as much as for what he did on the ice. He once had a cameo role in the movie "None but the Brave", which starred Frank Sinatra. Young's movie career didn't last too long -- reportedly threw Sinatra off his own yacht.

#10. FREDERIC "Cyclone" TAYLOR
The nickname "Cyclone" was given to Taylor by Earl Grey, the Canadian governor who donated the fabled Grey Cup. Grey watched Taylor play and said that he "was a Cyclone if I ever saw one". Ottawa fans became bitter after Taylor signed with another team, and Taylor vowed that he would score a goal against the Senators by skating backwards in order to get even. Taylor indeed DID score a goal against Ottawa while skating backwards during a 17-2 rout. WOW! 17-2?? That score is lopsided in baseball, and it's completely off the keel in hockey!

#11. MAURICE "Rocket" RICHARD
This legend earned his nickname "Rocket" due to his goal-scoring prowess, and earned Sid Abel the nickname "Bootnose" for punching Abel in the face and breaking his nose. A decision by NHL president Clarence Campbell to suspend Richard for the end of the 1954-55 season and the 1955 playoffs started a riot in Montreal that rivals and probably exceeds any of the riots in Detroit after the Tigers' and Pistons' championships in 1984 and 1990 (2nd championship), respectively. Glenn Hall was amazed at Rocket, and described the sight of Rocket closing in on the net to score a goal "terrifying". Hall said that Rocket's eyes were "all lit up, like a pinball machine".

#12. JIM McKENNY
One day, Leaf coach Red Kelly said hello to McKenny's 5-year-old son, who responded with, "My mom thinks you're a (blankity blank)". McKenny calmly stated, "You know, Red, that Christine (McKenny's wife) and I don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things". I have no idea whether that cover-up actually worked or not, but it was a nice try.

#13. MARCEL BONIN
Former heavyweight champion Joe Louis, the Detroit boxing legend who the Joe Louis Arena is named after, was willing to offer $1000 to anyone who was willing to wrestle a circus bear. Bonin accepted Louis' dare, and wrestled the bear in towns all over Quebec.

Well, that's it for right now ...
(To be continued ...)

02-08-2003, 09:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
wingoilerfan Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 113	#9. HOWIE YOUNG Young was known as well for his off-ice shenanigans as much as for what he did on the ice. He once had a cameo role in the movie "None but the Brave", which starred Frank Sinatra. Young's movie career didn't last too long -- reportedly threw Sinatra off his own yacht. #10. FREDERIC "Cyclone" TAYLOR The nickname "Cyclone" was given to Taylor by Earl Grey, the Canadian governor who donated the fabled Grey Cup. Grey watched Taylor play and said that he "was a Cyclone if I ever saw one". Ottawa fans became bitter after Taylor signed with another team, and Taylor vowed that he would score a goal against the Senators by skating backwards in order to get even. Taylor indeed DID score a goal against Ottawa while skating backwards during a 17-2 rout. WOW! 17-2?? That score is lopsided in baseball, and it's completely off the keel in hockey! #11. MAURICE "Rocket" RICHARD This legend earned his nickname "Rocket" due to his goal-scoring prowess, and earned Sid Abel the nickname "Bootnose" for punching Abel in the face and breaking his nose. A decision by NHL president Clarence Campbell to suspend Richard for the end of the 1954-55 season and the 1955 playoffs started a riot in Montreal that rivals and probably exceeds any of the riots in Detroit after the Tigers' and Pistons' championships in 1984 and 1990 (2nd championship), respectively. Glenn Hall was amazed at Rocket, and described the sight of Rocket closing in on the net to score a goal "terrifying". Hall said that Rocket's eyes were "all lit up, like a pinball machine". #12. JIM McKENNY One day, Leaf coach Red Kelly said hello to McKenny's 5-year-old son, who responded with, "My mom thinks you're a (blankity blank)". McKenny calmly stated, "You know, Red, that Christine (McKenny's wife) and I don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things". I have no idea whether that cover-up actually worked or not, but it was a nice try. #13. MARCEL BONIN Former heavyweight champion Joe Louis, the Detroit boxing legend who the Joe Louis Arena is named after, was willing to offer $1000 to anyone who was willing to wrestle a circus bear. Bonin accepted Louis' dare, and wrestled the bear in towns all over Quebec. Well, that's it for right now ... (To be continued ...) __________________ Let's go Red Wings! Long live the Oilers!