Interview with Bobby Orr

[craig]

First interview in many, many, years was broadcast last night.

Wayne may be "the great one," Gordie is 'Mr. Hockey,' but Orr is the greatest hockey player ever.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/1.2053862

[Devil Doc]

He had a career +/- of 597, and an incredible season in 70-71 of +124. What he did for hockey in New England can hardly be measured. Within a few years of his arrival, the number of rinks tripled in the region and is still going strong to this day, all because of Orr.

Doc

[craig]

Excerpt from his new book http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=686713&print=true

[ggiese]

I was incredibly excited when Bobby left Boston and came to Chicago... I was completely devestated when the injuries he'd suffered over the years at Boston took their toll when he came to Chicago and he did not play with the 'fire' I'd seen in his Boston years. Still - I can't argue - he is one of the greatest!

I still remember the 60's era and a lot of the great players from that time. Guys like Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, Henri Richard, Frank Mahovlich, "Red" Kelly, Stan Makita and Gordie Howe. Not sure I'd say they were "greater" than Wayne or Bobby, but DAMN! - I really loved watching hockey back then.

[craig]

Back then, Toronto was actually a competitive club. ;-)

[ggiese]

Back then, Toronto was actually a competitive club. ;-)

Oh yes it was! And there were some great rivalries too!

[CptnBlues63]

I was incredibly excited when Bobby left Boston and came to Chicago... I was completely devestated when the injuries he'd suffered over the years at Boston took their toll when he came to Chicago and he did not play with the 'fire' I'd seen in his Boston years. Still - I can't argue - he is one of the greatest!

I still remember the 60's era and a lot of the great players from that time. Guys like Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, Henri Richard, Frank Mahovlich, "Red" Kelly, Stan Makita and Gordie Howe. Not sure I'd say they were "greater" than Wayne or Bobby, but DAMN! - I really loved watching hockey back then.

I think that's my favorite era too........and on into the early 70's. Back then I was a Hab's fan like most boys where I lived and in fact, Gordie Howe is from my home town.....sort of. He's actually from Floral, Saskatchewan which was about 15 miles out of Saskatoon (my home town) As a kid there was just a grain elevator there with "Floral" on it but I understand even that was demolished around 2003.

One of my favorite memories is watching Yvan Cournoyer streaking down the boards, switching hands on the fly, and scoring with a blazing wrist shot!

And who could forget Gary Cheevers with all the stiches on his mask!

Damn! That was hockey!

[craig]

Everyone's favourite era is pre-adolescence :-).

Funny, I came to the realisation late last night that I started to lose interest in hockey right about now, 41 years ago. I had seen the enemy - the one that meant we watched civil defence films in school, and had an air raid siren across the street - and the 'enemy' played hockey. Looking back, life for me was no longer black and white after that.

[Devil Doc]

Harry Sinden once said, ""Howe could do everything but not at top speed. Hull went at top speed but couldn't do everything. Orr would do everything, and do it at top speed". Gretsky, on the other hand, was a whiny bitch who could make plays and score, but sucked at playing defense. I suspect, but don't really know, he never got a 5 min. major for fighting.

Doc

[CptnBlues63]

Harry Sinden once said, ""Howe could do everything but not at top speed. Hull went at top speed but couldn't do everything. Orr would do everything, and do it at top speed". Gretsky, on the other hand, was a whiny bitch who could make plays and score, but sucked at playing defense. I suspect, but don't really know, he never got a 5 min. major for fighting.

Doc

LOL

Who doesn't remember Orr, flying along in front of the net (literally, horizontal to the ice after taking a hit) still controlling the puck and then scoring!

Orr was an exception to a lot of rules and even though I never actively cheered for his teams, I still loved watching him play.

Everyone's favourite era is pre-adolescence :-).

Funny, I came to the realisation late last night that I started to lose interest in hockey right about now, 41 years ago. I had seen the enemy - the one that meant we watched civil defence films in school, and had an air raid siren across the street - and the 'enemy' played hockey. Looking back, life for me was no longer black and white after that.

We must be about the same age. I too have fond memories of the cold war. I actually remember being in grade 1 climbing under my desk as the air raid siren's went off during a test. Just as I remember that 1972 series like I watched it yesterday. It wasn't the Russians that caused me to lose interest in hockey though, it was blowing out my knee 5 years later when still a teen that did the trick for me.

[craig]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bct...e_gdata_player

Orr interviewed on George (Canadian TV show). I thought that it was interesting how there was no hesitation on Orr's part on answering who he thought was the greatest hockey player. (just over 9 minutes)

As background for non-Canadians (or youngsters), there is an old clip shown of the show "Front Page Challenge" during the interview. The show's premise is the viewers at home are told who the mystery guest is (the voice over at the beginning of the clip) and the contestants ask the mystery guest questions to try and identify him/her.