The Wings

For 62 years I have been a follower of the Detroit Red Wings. When I was a child every young person around our street received a Toronto Maple Leaf or a Montreal Hockey jersey for Xmas. I always asked for a Detroit Red wing sweater and Santa sent me that red sweater with the wheel and wings as a crest.

Those early wings were not the power house of today but gathered strength when Howe, Delvechio , and Lindsay came along. Gordie Howe was a Flora, Sask. boy who at a tender age played jr. hockey in the west. He entered the NHL at a tender age and his career nearly ended the first season when he was crashed into the boards and received a head injury. He returned and his career is history. In his day he was a giant at over 6 ft. tall and 205 pounds. Today he would be average in size. He was a giant in other ways leading a team to numerous titles and establishing Detroit as hockey town USA.

I watched Gordie play and won one of his sticks after a pre-season hockey game. It was a Northland with a number 6 line. Gordie was right in shooting but his stick had no curve at that time as he could switch and shoot both ways. He worked for Eatons store and as a young adult I went to the store and lined up to receive an autographed picture of my hero. I kept the stick for years but one time I was pressed to give something for the auction for Sick Kids Hospital I gave it away. I wonder where it is now?

His voice and demeanour betrayed his stealth on the ice. His character was one that every parent could say to their hockey son or daughter, be like him. His partners were all successful as they played a system and as a team. One year the line came first, second , and third in scoring.

Last night I watched the first game of the playoffs and we saw a team, not individuals work magic with the puck. A system which has to have all players committed to the plan and they were.On the ice last evening five of the best hockey players in the world today showed their skill. The best player on the ice was also the oldest. Lindstrom was making magic all evening and was a source of power on both offence and defence. Mother luck was with the Wings and tonight we hope the old legs hold up.

At this time of every year we like to remember our dreams as a child. Most of us wished to play in the NHL. I had dreams too but my dreams were modified by my ability. I did manage to make it to Senior hockey with a team in Northern Quebec. The league was the northern Quebec senior league although two teams were from Ontario. I was a young fellow and our coach signed me on and told me I could play a limited time at first but maybe someone would get injured. I worked hard and played on the third line. We were a defensive line but managed to score on occasion. At the end of the year our centre was injured and we called in an ex NHL player named Abbie DeMarco.He was the best stick handler for the New York Rangers all time. Although he was in his late forties he could still move the puck. He made our line perk up and I personally scored a few because of him.

From the days we played road hockey to the NHL we participated in the greatest game in the world and exported it to all corners of the globe. We can be proud when our women's and men's teams go for the gold every year at the world championships and next year in Vancouver.