But before Wayne there was Bobby Orr, who changed the game into what it is today. Bobby Orr revolutionized the game in the late 1960's to the mid 1970's, until after only nine years, his knees wore out from all the hacking from other teams tyring to stop him. The Bruins were the first team to score 300 goals in a season in a large part because of Mr. Orr. In his day, the rest of the players looked like pylons as he skated around them. He could single handedly take over a game when he wanted to.
Gordie Howe on the other hand epitomized brute toughness. He was not a speed deamon. He was pure might and power. His era was one of speed and power. Which is pretty much what the modern NHL game is today.
When I was a young boy, Bobby Orr was my idol along with the Boston Bruins. I was not alone in this worship. But in my mind I played with the Bruins and dreamed that one day I would play with Bobby Orr before he retired. I spent hours in the basement, with my strap on roller skates, replaying the 1972 Stanley Cup Playoffs where the Bruins defeated the New York Rangers who had Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, Eddie Giacamon and many other great players.
This was my refuge before I got away with eating my feelings. I would listen to the AM radio and skate to Elton John's Benny and the Jets, Saturday Night, etc among many other great bands while I scored on poor old Eddie Giacamon. I was the hero and this ritual saved me. This was my routine from the ages of 9-12 living on Westmoreland (1973-1975) before my mom and I moved to 7122 Pershing. Those were magical times. I would come home from school, strap my skates onto my hard shoes and go at. Then break for dinner and head back down again after dinner. I really picked up some skills without any training. I think kids nowadays really miss out on that alone time where you make up games in your imagination.
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