Monday, October 26, 2009

Passing: Bill Chadwick, Iconic NHL Ref & Broadcaster

From The Associated Press thru The New York Times:

CUTCHOGUE, N.Y. (AP) -- Bill ''The Big Whistle'' Chadwick, the first U.S.-born official in NHL history who was later a popular broadcaster for the New York Rangers, died Saturday (October 24). He was 94.

For 16 seasons, from 1939 to 1955, and despite being blind in one eye, Chadwick was one of the best officials the NHL. He invented and perfected the system of hand signals to signify penalties, and the system is now used throughout the world.

In 1965, at the urging of Emile Francis, the Rangers' longtime general manager and coach, Chadwick embarked on a 14-year broadcasting career (where he became known as "The Big Whistle"), working first on radio with play by play man Marv Albert, and most notably, on television with Jim Gordon for nine seasons.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/24/sports/AP-HKN-Obit-Chadwick.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=bill%20chadwick&st=cse

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Rangers-Bruins as it once was

Think rivalries in hockey these days and thoughts come to mind of Canadiens-Leafs, Oilers-Flames, Islanders-Rangers, Rangers-Devils, and perhaps Blues-Blackhawks or Flyers-Penguins. Any others ?

How about Bruins-Rangers ? Probably not. But in its time it was the real deal.

We speak with Jay Moran about the book he has written, The Rangers, The Bruins, and The end of an Era – Tribute to A Great Rivalry (Author House, 2009).

Hard to believe this rivalry is now 30 years removed. We speak about the likes of Orr, Esposito, Ratelle, Gilbert, and even some of the lesser recalled names like John McKenzie, Phil Goyette and Donnie Marshall.

BTW, the book is worth a look just for the pictures alone, even though there is much, much more.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Passing: Fred Cusick, Voice of the Bruins

The Boston Bruins have named their TV broadcast booth at the Garden in honour of the late play-by-play announcer Fred Cusick, who passed away last month. He was 90. Cusick, described by Red Fisher as one of the best in the business, was the broadcast voice of Bruins games for 44 years.

Obituary: http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/09/legendary_voice.html


You can listen to a "Journesy into Hockey" interview with Fred Cusick (taped last Fall) @ http://conversationsontheroad.com

Friday, September 18, 2009

Voices of the Game: Doc Emrick

It can easily be argued that Mike “Doc” Emrick is hockey’s preeminent play-by-play announcer.

Lead play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Devils, as well as the lead announcer for NHL national telecasts on both NBC and Versus, Emrick is recipient of many honors – foremost among them Among the many awards he has received is the NHL’s Lester Patrick Award in 2004 and the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008.

We speak with Doc Emrick who and what has informed and influenced his career, his thoughts about hcokey these days and the upcoming season which includes an Olympic Hockey competition.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Remembering Reggie Fleming

Reg Fleming passed away on July 11, 2009.

He was a professionally hockey player whose career spanned from the Montreal Canadiens through the Kenosha Flyers and Hammond Cardinals in 1978. In between, he was best known for his years with the Chicago Black Hawks (where he won a Stanley Cup), New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.

His reputation was as an aggressive and combative player, who played defense and forward. He also was known as a great teammate. He left his mark where ever he played.

Reg Fleming continues to leave his mark even after his passing. Fleming had been in declining health for a few years. A series of heart attacks and a stroke left him partly paralyzed and confined to rehabilitation facilities near Chicago. His oldest son, Chris, frequently made videos of his father in these last years and uploaded them on YouTube.

In this conversation, we speak with Chris Fleming and with John Halligan, longtime Public Relations Director of the New York Rangers who knew Reggie Fleming during his years in New York.

It’s a talk about hockey, but about a lot more too.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

Monday, August 17, 2009

Hockey Viewing, circa 1963 (via habsinsideout.com)

Hockey Viewing, circa 1963 (via habsinsideout.com)

With a big thanks to Dave Stubbs who does so much outstanding work at http://habsinsideout.com - a site from the Montreal Gazette:

"Thanks to Kevin van Steendelaar for the work to upload this on his site. Three nice National Film Board videos worth your time, and then some...."

"...And do NOT miss Un jeu si simple, another wonderful NFB documentary, this one in French by Gilles Groulx in 1964. It's a remarkable piece, and the footage of the day is breathtaking. Thanks to Inside/Out reader Patrick for directing us to it...."

"....It's truly worth the half hour to watch it...."
http://www.onf.ca/film/Un_jeu_si_simple/

http://www.habsinsideout.com/

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Passing: Teeder Kennedy (Globe and Mail)

From The Globe and Mail:

David Shoalts
Port Colborne, Ont. — Globe and Mail Update
Last updated on Friday, Aug. 14, 2009

When Ted (Teeder) Kennedy was the best player for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the years following the Second World War, sports heroes were portrayed as unassuming gods, quiet and reserved off the ice but merciless competitors once the puck was dropped.

The sporting legend was fictional as often as not but, his contemporaries say, not in Mr. Kennedy’s case.

He was the embodiment of an era when hockey players were expected to give all they had to the team without concern for the size of their paycheque or endorsement opportunities.

The quintessential Leaf died yesterday morning in a nursing home in his hometown of Port Colborne, Ont., of congestive heart failure. He was 83.

“He was the Leafs,” said Bob Haggert, who was hired by Mr. Day as an assistant trainer in 1954 and watched Mr. Kennedy closely in his last two seasons with the Leafs. “He was Conn Smythe, he was Hap Day, he was that era all rolled into one.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-legend-kennedy-dies/article1252478

Also:

LEAFS TV (via You Tube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS_mMzp4xZ0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9dA8WnQrzs

LEGENDS OF HOCKEY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5BuUysYEeM