Yes, the calendar may indicate that today is Friday the 13^th, but for Prince George sports fans this will not be an unlucky day.

Today, many of Canada’s top curlers, along with hockey’s greatest defenceman are visiting
B.C.’s Northern Capital.

The Road to the Roar Olympic Pre-Trials, which conclude Saturday at CN Centre, has certainly met its advance billing as the best all-around curling witnessed in Prince George. While curling has been front and centre this week (and deservedly so), the arrival of Bobby Orr to PG has hockey fans drooling and anxious to reminisce about the good old days.

 

Orr, and women's hockey standout, Cassie Campbell, are attending pre-arranged functions, in town, over the next couple of days, thanks to the Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey Program, which focuses on the values of Respect & Responsibility.

How good was Bobby Orr? In my mind, Bobby was the greatest player in his position in a team sport; however, this statement does not indicate his greatness.

Although Wayne Gretzky boasts best statistics of any forward, and certainly tops the list, players like Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard may also attract consideration.

Many say that Patrick Roy is the best all time goalie, but was he really better than Terry Sawchuck, Jacques Plante or Martin Brodeur (in his prime).

When one thinks of defencemen; no disrespect to Doug Harvey, Dennis Potvin, Brad Park or even the ever dangerous, Pierre Bouchard, there is only one name that stands above the rest, Bobby Orr, the superstar who revolutionized the position and the game. Moreover, unlike the other positions, the difference between number one and number two is like the difference between the NHL and the AHL.

Other major sports like football, baseball and basketball do not have a gap that vast among their position players. For example, baseball historians can rave about CY Young's 511 wins compared to #2 Walter Johnson's 417, but Young also heads the loss column with 316.

Although I always cheered for the Montreal Canadiens, I could never cheer against Orr. He was just too electrifying, the one player that could pull you out from your chair, whether at the rink or even watching on TV. Guy Lafleur could also do that, but not nearly to the same degree.

At the tender age of eleven and watching on television in Winnipeg, I will never forget THE GOAL (second only to Paul Henderson's winner against the Russians). On May 10, 1970, Orr scored in overtime to give Boston its first Stanley Cup since 1941. The goal against the St Louis Blues came off a give-and-go pass with Derek Sanderson, just 40 seconds into OT as the Bruins completed a sweep of Scotty Bowman's Blues.

 

The subsequent image of a horizontal Orr flying through the air, his arms raised in victory as the Blues’ Noel Picard had tripped him on the play while watching the puck pass goalie Glenn Hall became unquestionably the most recognized hockey photo of all time. It was a symbol of Orr’s legacy.

It is a shame that several knee injuries cut his NHL career (1966 to 78). No other player could have accomplished so much in such a short period.

I am not certain as where to rank all of his achievements. His MVP showing at the 1976 Canada Cup will always stand out in my mind. It was the gutsiest performance by an athlete anywhere as he dominated opposing countries, despite several knee operations that left him playing in severe pain. Maybe I will always remember that effort because he was wearing Canadian colors, and not Bruins.

Winning eight consecutive Norris trophies might be at the top of Orr's list, but he is also the only defenceman to have won the NHL scoring title with two Art Ross Trophies. He also captured three straight Hart MVP trophies (1970, 71, 72) as the accolades could go on forever. Is it possible to have a better season than 1969/70 when Orr won the Stanley Cup, Norris, Art Ross and Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) Trophies?

 

The 61 year old (is he really 61 already?) from Parry Sound, Ontario is now a player agent. Orr's first contract with the Bruins called for an annual salary of $25,000, which at the time made him the highest-paid player in the league. Now some players seem to get that much money per shift and none of them will ever be a Bobby Orr because there only is one BOBBY ORR.

 

 

Congratulations to Toronto for being awarded the 2015 Pan Am games. But really, between the Raptors, Blue Jays, Argonauts and Leafs, what city has more experience with amateur athletics?

Yankees fans will tell you that the team won not because of money, but because of good management, team chemistry, hard work. Yes, and the 65-year-old men sitting in the box seats with 25 year olds will tell you the gals are with them because of their sparkling personality.

SF Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum was not charged with impaired driving after he was caught with marijuana in his car. Makes sense actually, he was clocked doing 74 in a 60mph zone. If he were really stoned, he would have been driving 15 mph. With one hand in a bag of Doritos.Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

Giants fireballer Tim Lincecum was cited for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. He also likes his weed 'coming down the pipe'. 

Cincinnati Coach Marvin Lewis stopped WR Chad Ochocinco from sending the Steelers some mustard---he didn't want the Bengals playing ketchup.  Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

Golfer Greg Normal has pulled out of the Australian Open after undergoing shoulder surgery. Apparently he strained it taking out his wallet to pay off his first ex-wife and now Chris Evert.

Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

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