Nice writeup EK...now get back to class

- philco28

Good write up Eli....and don't forget my guy Nordstrom

I agree on Pirri....no room for him and the up and comers are about to push him aside.

There has never been a playing machine like Gretzky for manufacturing points. Before the NHL:

- 16 years old rookie Junior A in the Soo - 70 Goals, 112 Assists

- 14 years old rookie Junior B in Toronto - 28 games, 70 points

- 10 years old in Brantford - one season 378 Goals, 139 assists. Parents of other kids hated him, wanted him kicked out of the league.

- By age of 13, had scored more than 1000 goals in minor hockey.

It was a different era then but Wayner learned early how to put the puck in the net.
- RickJ

Lots of stories about Wayne's minor hockey career. A golf buddy of mine from Brantford who is still a close friend of Wayne's told me one which is fairly common knowledge around Southern Ontario.

The friend is 13 at the time and playing for a Brantford minor team in a big bantam tournament in London, Ontario. They make it to the tournament championship game against the London team. Gretzky is 11 years old and playing elsewhere in a different tournament that weekend as a pee wee.

2 hours before the bantam game, the Brantford coach calls Walter Gretzky and asks him if he could get Wayne to London in time to play for the bantam team in the final game. Walter gets him there late in the 2nd period and the team is losing 1-0. Wayne was already dressed coming from his other tournament, puts his skates on and goes out for the 3rd period. Scores 3 goals by himself in the 3rd period and Brantford wins 3-1.
- RickJ

It's a long time ago and unfortunately my Dad is not around to ask....But I think he saw Gretzky in the early 70's...So he might have been 10-11.

Another Brantford boy scored 155 points in 60 games in the O in 88-89 season.Would have loved to seen what Brian Fogerty could have done without the substance abuse.Very sad story,that guy broke Orrs' records and flamed out young.
- eagle50

Absolutely correct about Brian Fogarty. Matts Sundin tells the story of being a rookie with Quebec Nordiques and Fogarty coming to practices inebriated and being the best player on the ice by far. Superstar in the making as a junior derailed by booze and drugs. I think he was found O.D'd in Myrtle Beach or Florida on a golf trip.

Can't take anything away from Gretzky but his era featured a lot of scoring.
- Al

Like STL pointed out though, Orr padded his totals in an era with 6 full expansion teams.

Good write up Eli....and don't forget my guy Nordstrom

I agree on Pirri....no room for him and the up and comers are about to push him aside.
- UnnamedSource

From the few games I've seen him play, there is a lot to like. I'd like to see more of him next season before I pass judgement on him. Hopefully he puts some weight on his frame this summer.

You remember what they cost you?
- Al

Wow, now you're really making me dig deep Al!
My recollection, foggy as it is -- I believe the original TACKS were something on the order of $200 and I recall the Super TACKS (the 1st pair, all black with the same blade setup as the originals was on the order of $300). Of course, this was a boatload of dinero back then (early 70's).

If you are really interested, I can grab some shots and post them. Both those pairs in particular are in really nice condition. I can still recall putting the shiny stuff on the toe caps of the originals to keep them in better condition.

Oh man, you are really taking me back on a ride down memory lane!
Thanks Al.

Agreed....a friend of mine played with Fogarty in Kingston and I had a chance to meet him 20 years ago. He was the NICEST guy. Tragic.
- philco28

I found this article a little while back,and after the Orr vs Gretzky talk I dug it up again.I'm not tech savy but you can google it,Bryan Fogarty:blood on our hands by Steve Ludzik.

I found this article a little while back,and after the Orr vs Gretzky talk I dug it up again.I'm not tech savy but you can google it,Bryan Fogarty:blood on our hands by Steve Ludzik.
- eagle50

Thanks Eagle

http://www.niagarafallsre...ogarty-blood-on-our-hands

Gretzky and Orr got nothing on Ott......

Like STL pointed out though, Orr padded his totals in an era with 6 full expansion teams.
- philco28

The only relevant stat for me in comparing anybody is this:

- there is only one NHL player inside of 1000 points of Gretzky's total of 2857. Thats Mark Messier who played about 300 games total more than Gretzky. Even Gordie is 1007 points behind.

And I'm not saying Gretz was better than Orr or Howe or Lemieux. But 99's total numbers are just unbelievable compared with everybody else.

Gretzky and Orr got nothing on Olesz......
- UnnamedSource

Out of bounds.

Why you wanna go bringing him up again?

Out of bounds.

Why you wanna go bringing him up again?
- Ogilthorpe2

couldn't help it.....like heroin addict looking for a fix.....

Anyone see the anthem in Boston tonight? It was amazing

Gretzky and Orr got nothing on Ott......
- UnnamedSource

fixed

fixed
- UnnamedSource

Much better.

Much better.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed.

The only relevant stat for me in comparing anybody is this:

- there is only one NHL player inside of 1000 points of Gretzky's total of 2857. Thats Mark Messier who played about 300 games total more than Gretzky. Even Gordie is 1007 points behind.

And I'm not saying Gretz was better than Orr or Howe or Lemieux. But 99's total numbers are just unbelievable compared with everybody else.
- RickJ

99's numbers are PHUCKING PHENOMENAL...

Anyone see the anthem in Boston tonight? It was amazing
- rollpards19

Sure was....

game of the night: jackets vs ducks......can Bobro and jackets keep it going!
- bogiedoc

I sure hope not. It doesn't look like Anaheim will catch the Hawks and I do not want to play Columbus in round 1. I'm really hoping for dallas, but it looks like columbus or Detroit

You remember what they cost you?
- Al

I'm going to say it was mid-60's - CCM Tacks were the Cadillac of skates. On the back in white was stamped CCM and below it TACKS. They advertised it as Tackaberry Boots with CCM Prolite Blades. Kangaroo leather uppers. Just beautiful.

In Canada they sold retail for about $99, very expensive. Bauer Supremes were the competion in that price space.

I wanted a pair badly. My told told me to forget it, you stink, don't even know how to skate.

Buffalo has 2 PP goals tonight as the 30th rated PP.Is there hope for us?

Can't take anything away from Gretzky but his era featured a lot of scoring.
- Al

And what happened to make that era about more scoring? 70's were all about fights and bench clearing brawls. There were a lot of ugly games. Poor wayne Cashman. He got jumped more than anyone. Lol. But when wayne came in the league seemed to change. Teams tried to emulate the Oilers, maybe? Certain players changed the game. Orr sure did

If the Islanders make the playoffs they are most likely not going to trade Nielsen....

My info at the trade deadline was the Isle's were not going to do much if anything....and they did 0.

Playoff hungry fan base and good 2nd line centers don't grow on trees.
- Al

For Bolland - someone with Stanley Cup experience - and a guy like Leddy (if Sheehy forces the situation)?

I really think we would see more than Nielson - much more - for those 2.

Agreed.
- EKolb13

you guys are so picky...sheesh